YouTube star PewDiePie has used the n-word during a live gaming stream, drawing criticism from fans and detractors alike.
The 27-year-old broadcaster, who has more than 57 million followers on the platform, made the comment during a livestream of the game Player Unknown Battlegrounds.
Immediately after making the comment, aimed at another player in the game, he apologised, saying he “didn’t mean that in a bad way”.
Twitter users reacted quickly to the broadcast, using the hashtag #PewDiePieIsOverParty – while one games developer said they would be filing a copyright claim.
my 4 yrs of stanning is over ladies #PewdiepieIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/GPYupdcTxp
— begüm (@BVXENMAN) September 10, 2017
I'm here!! We love dragging & ending racists! #PewdiepieIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/GvpovhUimQ
— Liv ♡ (@moonlightvatos) September 10, 2017
He could have chosen any word in the english language, but he chose that one. Therefore I'm choosing to unsubscribe. #PewdiepieIsOverParty
— shaki loves callum (@wonderdoddle) September 11, 2017
#PewdiepieIsOverParty sorry i'm late ladies! i've been ready for this for a while now pic.twitter.com/vhcsxjX46W
— brenda (@hotlineluthor) September 11, 2017
Some aren’t so confident this spells the end for his career, though.
This ain't the first time he's said it so I know y'all brainwashed ass supporters gonna keep his channel alive #PewdiepieIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/GYmvUmBBZs
— BlackLivesMatter✊ (@_ChinnyChinn) September 11, 2017
This isn’t the first time PewDiePie, whose real name is Felix Kjellberg, has been criticised for offensive language.
Earlier this year, he was dropped by Disney after anti-Semitic references were discovered in his videos – including people holding up a sign that said “death to all Jews”.
Kjellberg said he was “trying to show how crazy the modern world is”, and chose to do that by paying two men from India through Fiverr, a freelance marketplace, to make the sign.
#PewdiepieIsOverPartyDisappointed? YesSurprised? No
— bih🌟 (@kingseok_) September 11, 2017
Some took the opportunity to promote their favourite non-controversial YouTube stars using the hashtag, saying they were more deserving of followers.
#PewdiepieIsOverParty like?! Thomas Sanders is a beautiful cinnamon roll who deserves that 57mil. Errybody know it. Give my bby the throne🌈🌈 pic.twitter.com/mj6K89GWYN
— Call Me Ævi Please (@MayeMonster) September 11, 2017
Don't stan racist people, stan these angels @danielhowell @AmazingPhil (rt if you agree) #pewdiepieisoverparty pic.twitter.com/XEP1tll9ww
— Eva (@spatulaphil) September 10, 2017
subscribe to david dobrik and liza koshy #PewdiepieIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/nAbOn2stCC
— taylor #DefendDACA (@latevlogs) September 11, 2017
While Sean Vanaman, head of Campo Santo, which makes Firewatch, said his company will be filing a copyright claim to get all of PewDiePie’s content related to Firewatch taken off YouTube.
“I’d urge other developers & will be reaching out to folks much larger than us to cut him off from the content that has made him a milionaire (sic),” Vanaman said.
We're filing a DMCA takedown of PewDiePie's Firewatch content and any future Campo Santo games.
— Sean Vanaman (@vanaman) September 10, 2017
PewDiePie’s subscriber count has continued to grow since the incident, according to site Social Blade.