On Monday, June 29, Union Square in New York City became a buzzing arena of chaos as thousands of fans of a popular Twitch streamer descended upon the iconic park and turned it into a “Thunderdome” of pure pandemonium.
The mayhem was sparked by a surprise streaming event hosted by Twitch star “Ninja” Tyler Blevins. Known as one of the biggest names among gamers, Ninja had previously announced on both his Twitter and Twitch accounts that he would be visiting the city and throwing an event to meet with fans. Little did the streamer realize what he had created.
Hundreds — if not thousands — of fans flooded the area surrounding Union Square and it wasn’t long before the entire area erupted into madness. Fans ripped down traffic cones to set up make-shift barriers on the street and starting to engage in fisticuffs with other visitors to the park. Others climbed atop vehicles and balconies, while some even begin to take off their shirts. The atmosphere was described as “electric” and “intense”.
Police responded to the scene, but couldn’t control the thousands of attendees. It took several hours before the situation was brought to order with the help of several other Twitch streamers.
Overall, the event became a major impromptu success for Ninja, with some even dubbing it the “Twitch Thunderdome”. The streamer himself seemed amused by the situation, posting a several tweets on the chaos including one that said “I never said, ‘Let’s cause chaos in Union Square,'” He also posted a video of the event as well.
The incident in Union Square highlighted the growing popularity of Twitch streamers, and how quickly their events can escalate into exciting spectacles of energy and chaos. It will be interesting to see what similar streams Ninja will host in the future, and whether he will continue to attract such large crowds.