LAS VEGAS, NV – April 29: Video game broadcaster Dr DisRespect announces the San Francisco 49ers. … [+]
Updated 06/26/24. See update below.
Dr. Disrespect — also known as Guy Beahm — is in the news again, nearly four years after he was banned from Twitch in 2020, the online streaming platform where he achieved fame and notoriety. Now it looks like the popular streaming device may be down indefinitely.
The reason for the ban was never revealed by Twitch or Dr. Disrespect, although the latter sued the streaming platform over the ban, while the former paid Beahm’s contract. Years have passed. History has become legend. The legend became a legend.
Then, on June 22, 2024, Cody Conners, Twitch’s former account manager for strategic partnerships, tweeted: “[Dr. Disrespect] Banned because [he] You were caught sexting a minor in the then-existing Twitch Whispers product. He was trying to meet her at TwitchCon. Powers that can be read in plain text.
Beam responded to this claim on Twitter:
“Listen, I’m obviously bound by legal obligations from the settlement with Twitch, but I just want to say what I can say because that’s what it is,” he said in a tweet. [bleeping] Internet.
“I did nothing wrong, this was all investigated and settled, nothing illegal was found, no wrongdoing was found, and I was paid.”
He also responded to media personality Jake Lackey with a bizarre non-denial, tweeting: “Seriously Jake… I understand, it’s a hot topic but this has been settled, no fault has been admitted and they have paid the contract in full.”
Then, during a stream on June 23, Dr.Direspect received a message that seemed to dampen the streamer’s spirits. During the end Ring of Elden: Shadow of Erdtree During the session, Beam indicated that he might step back from streaming altogether, explaining, “I feel exhausted.”
“Maybe it’s time to start something new, something different,” he told his viewers.
“But I think, first of all, I had a little bit of vacation planned, but I might extend it starting today. It is what it is. People get tired. To be honest, I don’t know how long my vacation will last, but maybe I’ll extend it. We’ll see.” “
This came before the game studio he co-founded, Midnight Sons, announced it would be severing ties with the streamer. The company’s statement stated the following:
On Friday evening, we learned of an allegation against one of our co-founders, Jay Beam, also known as Dr. Disrespect.
We assumed his innocence and began speaking with interested parties. In order to maintain our principles and standards as a studio and individuals, we had to take action.
For this reason, we are terminating our relationship with Jay Beam effective immediately.
While these facts are difficult to hear and even accept, it is our duty to act with dignity on behalf of all individuals involved, especially the 55 developers and families we have employed along with our player community.
As with the Twitch ban nearly four years ago, much of this remains shrouded in mystery. Twitch has not commented on the matter, and Beahm has certainly announced he is stepping down before — whether it’s via livestream or just streaming specific games like Call of duty. It always seems to come back. Some also doubted Tweets by Conners He promised to reveal why Dr. Disrespect was banned if Conners sold out three of his upcoming shows last year. However, another former Twitch employee said: Conners supported statement— as an anonymous, unnamed source — to The Verge.
How none of this was revealed nearly four years ago is another big question, and more than a little shocking in the age of leaks and online gossip.
to update:
Immediately after the above article was published, Dr. Disrespect wrote: He issued a long statementadmitted to sending inappropriate messages with a minor, although he denies that it involved anything illegal and rejects accusations that he is a predator.
“Were there whispered messages with a minor in 2017?” Pym writes. “The answer is yes. If there were real intentions behind these messages then the answer is definitely no. These were informal, back-and-forth conversations, which at times tended very much towards being inappropriate, but nothing more than that. Nothing illegal happened, and nothing happened.” No photos are shared, no crimes were committed, and I have never met this person. I went through a lengthy arbitration process regarding a civil dispute with Twitch and this case was resolved by settlement No criminal charges against me at all.
“Now, morally speaking, I would definitely take responsibility,” Pym adds. “I should never have entertained these conversations in the first place.”
He also strongly denies that he is a predator or pedophile, writing: “Now, with all that said, don’t get me wrong, I’ve seen all the remarks and labels thrown around very loosely. Social media is a zone of destruction. I am not a predator or pedophile.
The broadcaster added that he has changed since 2020, and that he is not “going anywhere” and wrote, “I am not the same man who made this mistake many years ago. I am taking an extended vacation with my family as we mentioned in the live broadcast and I will return with a heavy weight on my shoulders.”
The profanity-laced statement can be viewed in full in the tweet below:
Now, at long last, we know without a doubt why Twitch banned Dr. Disrespect in 2020. This may not be the final chapter in this saga, but it’s something. Without access to the messages or any further information on the matter, we can only speculate at this point. We only have Beam’s word on the matter. Until the messages are released — with the other party’s name and identity redacted, obviously — we don’t know how serious the matter really is. Twitch has yet to issue a statement on the matter, and it’s unclear if the company will ever do so.
What do you think of all this? Let me know on Twitter And Facebook.
Update 2 – 06/26/2024
The reaction online – even on the Dr Disrespect subreddit – was universally one of disgust, despair and resignation.
Already, sponsors have dropped the streamer, and big names in the streaming community have distanced themselves from Beahm.
The Disrespect game he was working on with Midnight Society, a studio he co-founded, called it a shooter dead drop, You will face an uphill battle, with many players calling it DOA. The game, which featured controversial NFTs, saw the price of NFTs drop sharply in the wake of Doc’s acceptance.
Meanwhile, there are tens of thousands of followers The live streamer has been unfollowed On Twitter and YouTube.
Doc’s friend and popular podcaster Tim “TimTheTatMan” Betar called Beahm’s actions “inexcusable” in a Twitter video in which Betar appeared visibly upset.
The only naysayers seem to be fans who say the messages with the unnamed minor may just be lewd jokes or inappropriate remarks and not sexual or flirtatious. I’ve wondered this too, but Doc’s line about “intentions” strikes me as a massive red flag. Regardless of the content of the messages, any inappropriate correspondence with a minor is indefensible and wrong. At best, it’s about the degree at this point, which doesn’t mean much.
I think the best thing for Beam at this point is to ride off into the sunset and leave his streaming career behind him. He’s defiant in the statement above, but that defiance will lead nowhere except more controversy and a gaming community that is almost entirely united against him (or at least unwilling to support him) outside of a small but vocal segment of his fanbase. Most fans on reddit are very disappointed and feel incredibly betrayed and disappointed with someone they have been looking up to for a long time.
It’s time to give up the ghost, Doctor. Go and take care of your family. Forge a new path. Enjoy your wealth and create something new.
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