PogChamp Meaning: From Meme to Movement
Imagine watching your favorite game on Twitch. Suddenly, something incredible happens. Everyone starts spamming an emote: PogChamp. What’s that about?
PogChamp is more than just a meme; it’s a symbol. Its origin is tied deeply to Twitch, a platform where gamers stream their gameplay. Over time, this emote has become a universal sign of shock and amazement.
But what really is PogChamp? How did it rise to such fame? Stick around, and you’ll discover the story behind this iconic meme.
The Face Behind PogChamp: Ryan ‘Gootecks’ Gutierrez
Have you ever wondered about the face you see when someone types ‘PogChamp’ in a Twitch chat? That face belongs to Ryan Gutierrez, better known as Gootecks. A legend in his own right, his journey is an exciting tale of gaming, fame, and unexpected turns.
The Rise of an Icon
Way back in 2010, a video captured Gootecks making a funny, exaggerated face. This video gained a whopping 7.4 million views! Soon after, this face became the original PogChamp emote we all know and love.
The name PogChamp has an interesting story too. Initially, Gootecks was called the Pog Champion in a video where he played a game named Pogs. Over time, Pog Champion got shortened to the catchy term PogChamp.
Gootecks: Beyond the Emote
Gootecks wasn’t just about that famous face. He began as a fighting game streamer. But as time passed, he wore many hats. He turned into a company founder, an educator, and even an author.
Twitch recognized the value of his iconic face. Reports suggest that he earned between $50,000 to $100,000 just for the use of his likeness. That’s the power of being the PogChampion!
The Cultural Significance of PogChamp
Since its birth in 2010, PogChamp has been a big deal on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Twitter. It’s more than just a fun image; it’s a symbol. The phrase “my little PogChamp” and frequent use of the PogChamp emote show its deep impact on culture.
In the world of esports, moments of surprise or excitement often see a flood of PogChamp emotes in Twitch chats. Imagine a massive play in a game, and the chat goes wild with PogChamps!
Evolution and Trends
The emote didn’t stay stagnant. Over time, the term evolved. From ‘Pog Champion’, it became ‘PogChamp’, then ‘Poggers’, and simply ‘Pog’. This shows its adaptability and constant presence in changing internet slang.
Remember the Minecraft speedruns? A phrase, ‘Time to Throw PogChamp’, became super famous during a competition between streamers xQc and Forsen. Such moments highlight how deeply embedded PogChamp is in online gaming culture.
The Evolution and Replacement of the PogChamp Emote
The PogChamp emote, symbolizing excitement and surprise, had roots in gaming. Its name stands for ‘Play of Game Champion’. It began with a video where Ryan ‘Gootecks’ Gutierrez played and won a game with Pogs, earning the title Pog Champion.
But on 07.01.2021, Twitch removed the PogChamp emote. Why? Gutierrez, the face behind it, posted a controversial tweet related to the Capitol Hill incident.
The New Face of PogChamp
With its removal, Twitch tried a new approach. They initially rotated the emote daily to represent streamer diversity. But, after some backlash, they went for a static emote.
On 12th February 2021, a community vote crowned a successor: the KomodoHype emote. Now, instead of Gutierrez’s face, we see a Komodo dragon. This ensures no future controversies since, well, dragons can’t tweet!
This evolution reflects Twitch’s commitment to adapt and listen to its community. Plus, with tools like PRO Easy setup for overlays, alerts, and more, platforms continue to evolve, just like the emotes they host.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the word PogChamp come from?
The term ‘PogChamp’ originated from a 2010 YouTube video featuring Ryan ‘Gootecks’ Gutierrez. He played a game using ‘Pogs’ and reacted with a now-famous facial expression when he won. This reaction eventually earned him the title ‘Pog Champion,’ which later got shortened to ‘PogChamp’.
Why do streamers say POG?
Streamers use POG as a shorter form of PogChamp. It’s an expression of excitement, surprise, or acknowledgment of an impressive play. The term evolved over time, with Pog Champion becoming PogChamp, then Poggers, and finally, POG.
What did PogChamp say?
PogChamp doesn’t refer to something said by someone, but rather the name of an emote on Twitch. The emote is based on the surprised facial expression of Ryan ‘Gootecks’ Gutierrez from a video. The term and emote represent excitement or surprise during a significant moment in a livestream.
What does PogChamp mean on Tiktok?
On TikTok, just like on Twitch, PogChamp is an expression of surprise, excitement, or admiration. While it has its roots in the gaming community, its use has expanded to various platforms and cultures, signifying a memorable or impressive moment.