Artesian Builds, the boutique gaming PC builder which recently figured in a scandal versus a small-scale Twitch streamer, has now shut down indefinitely.
As reported by PCGamer, the gaming PC building company was recently manhandled on social media after CEO Noah Katz was seen basically berating a small-time Twitch streamer for her follower count. The said streamer was supposed to get a brand-new PC courtesy of Intel.
After learning of the issue, Intel was understandably not impressed with Artesian Builds. In an official statement, Team Blue mentioned how they strive to "welcome streamers of all sizes" to their programs, and how they do not agree with "recent negative comments" (an indirect shot to Katz, obviously), directed towards small-scale Twitch streamers (via TheGamer).
Here is the tweet from Artesian announcing the shutdown, while also saying they're "open to assistance/investment" while also mentioning that the company is going through a reorganization:
We are sad to announce that, effective now, we are freezing/suspending all activities. Ongoing is analysis by outside counsel for reorg. to ensure fair treatment of clients, creditors, and employees. We expect more info by month's end.
— Artesian Builds (@ArtesianBuilds) March 9, 2022
We are open to assistance/investment.
As you can see, even if Twitch streamer Kiapiaa rightfully won the gaming PC, she was revoked by Katz himself live on air due to "not qualifying" as an ambassador for her sub-5,000 follower count across all her social media profiles (via PCGamer). Eventually, Kiapiaa's Twitter thread where the video of Katz criticizing her small following was shared went viral:
If you haven't heard @ArtesianBuilds do not care about their small streamer ambassadors. They have monthly PC giveaways for their ambassadors, great, right? Expect they don't care for small streamers. I got chosen and they changed their rules last minute (cont.) pic.twitter.com/CzDiq7VTZP
— kia (@kiapiaa_) March 1, 2022
Eventually, Intel caught on and stepped in, and Artesian decided to give it away anyway. But the streamer has made up her mind and basically told the company to shove it.
How The Internet Reacted To The Artesian Builds Scandal
Simply put, the reaction surrounding the Artesian scandal was a roller coaster of human emotion, writes Dexerto. People who say Kiapiaa's Twitter thread mostly sided with her, with many users claiming that the indefinite shutdown of the company was well-deserved.
However, that's not even the only piece of controversy surrounding the boutique PC builder, who's gained a reputation for their strategy of building their clients' PCs live on Twitch. Apparently, CEO Noah Katz has been accused of tax evasion after their business license in California was forfeited last March 2nd (via OpenCorporates).
According to another Twitch streamer, Onepeg, Katz basically forfeited his company's license in the state of California for failing to pay taxes. Here is Onepeg's video on YouTube talking about the issue:
Either way, it has been quite a bad week for Artesian as a whole. Due to Katz' antics on air, the company lost its partnership with eSports and streaming organization OTK (One True King) led by Twitch star Asmongold (via DotESports). They're also likely to lose more partnerships with other groups streamers like NICKMERCS and Pestily, with the latter downright severing ties in the wake of the scandal.
Effective immediately I will no longer be associated with Artesian Builds. I believe in building an inclusive supportive community and don't feel their recent actions reflect this.
— Pestily (@Pestily) March 1, 2022
What Has Happened Since?
To say that streamer Kiapiaa had the last laugh is a massive understatement, because she definitely did.
According to a report by Invenglobal, the small-time streamer basically gained thousands of followers in mere days following the Artesian Builds giveaway scandal. She had 8,000 more followers on Twitter and 7,000 additional folks on Twitch, and basically got a new PC courtesy of popular tech YouTuber JayzTwoCents.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by RJ Pierce
