Playing video games for a living was something previously only relegated to people like games media journalists, play testers, and a few high-profile e-sports stars winning cash prizes. In recent years, however, live streaming stars like @Orangemorange (Kevin Bongers) have flipped the script, using their unique gaming and comedy skills to earn a living through regular donations/merchandise sales from a dedicated fanbase that’s always hungry for more content.
Orangemorange first got attention as a Twitch streamer when he quickly reached a professional level of expertise broadcasting the multiplayer game H1Z1 (a precursor to the immensely popular PUBG), where he finished in 4th place at the game’s 2017 invitational tournament. Despite working hard to attract more spectators, his popularity only really blew up when arguments with his then-girlfriend “Maria Cataleya” went viral and where uploaded uploaded in ‘highlight reels’ on YouTube.
Since then, Kevin has moved to a new country and has advanced to become the #1 most popular German Grand Theft Auto V streamer, and the 11th most watched German streamer on Twitch.
Orangemorange – Kevin, answered a few questions about his career and future plans.
Kevin, tell me a bit about yourself.
I am a streamer on Twitch (orangemorange) with 240.000 followers. I additionally have a YouTube channel with 220.000 subscribers. My job entails giving my viewers an insight into my life and my privacy, and using in-stream chat, my fans can communicate with me real time and exchange information with each other. Other streamers might think calling their community a ‘family‘ goes too far – but I think we are one big family.
In 2019 I spontaneously moved to Madeira, a beautiful little Island belonging to Portugal, with one of my best friends Theo. He is also a streamer which makes living together pretty easy, because we are usually noisy at night doing what we do best.
Can you tell us a bit about what you’re currently working on?
Since over a year I’ve been streaming mostly GTA roleplay, which is really entertaining. You can be whoever you want to be and speak to other real people directly. It creates many exciting and funny situations, but also freaks me out sometimes. But those moments are even more interesting for my viewers. Furthermore, I react to YouTube videos and openly share my opinion on different topics, or just chat casually with my fans.
What are the most rewarding aspects of your career? How do you organize your time?
One of the best aspects of being a streamer is that I can work when I feel like it. I don’t have to get up at a certain time and go to work like most people do. But of course, the whole streaming career puts a lot of pressure on you, because you don’t get a certain income every month; it depends on the satisfaction of the viewers. Because of this fact, I always do my best to be online at 4 in the afternoon. However, I go to the gym regularly which keeps me fit and makes me feel good and confident.
What do you think is your greatest strength?
My biggest strength is definitely entertaining people. I am working at least 7 hours a day where I have to amuse the audience nearly every second. Of course, this is not a physically demanding job, but I have to perform no matter what my mood is and it’s a full-time commitment. Sometimes my viewers tell me they’re going through some tough times and watching me stream cheers them up and distracts them from their problems. Even if this is helping them only for a couple of hours, it is the biggest compliment for me. It definitely shows that my job is the best thing I could possibly do. I always aim to entertain my audience as much as possible.
What is your best life advice, motto or favorite quote?
This may sound kind of cheesy, but I’d say, “never give up on your dreams”. I used to earn no money with streaming the first year I did it, which caused me to go into debt. Everyone told me to get a “real” job, but I kept going.
I am convinced, that if you want to live the life that you’re dreaming of, sometimes you have to go through tough times. I have always believed in fulfilling my dreams, and for the last two years I’ve been able to live on it. Never give unimportant people the attention they want – only you know what’s best for you.
What are your plans for the future?
My biggest plan for the future is to save up enough money to buy a house for my mother. We never had much money and I want her never to have to worry about anything ever again. And of course, my goal is to grow constantly and reach new people with every stream and maybe I can manage to put a smile on their face. Because that’s the most important thing: making people happy.
Thank you Orangemorange for your time!
You can follow Orangemorange at www.twitch.tv/orangemorange
