What Is the PogChamp Emote and When Is It Used?
If you’ve spent any time watching live-streamed video games or eSports competitions, you’ve likely seen the PogChamp emote used in Twitch chat. This iconic emote has become synonymous with excitement and hype in the gaming community, but where did it come from and why is it so popular?
The PogChamp emote was first introduced to Twitch in 2017 and features Ryan “Gootecks” Gutierrez, a professional Street Fighter player and streamer, with his mouth open in a shocked expression. The emote quickly caught on as a way to express excitement or surprise during intense gaming moments.
The name “PogChamp” comes from the popular 90s game called “Pogs”. “Pogs” was a game that involved collecting small cardboard discs, also called “Pogs”, and playing them against each other to win more. The PogChamp emote is a reference to the excitement and joy many felt while playing the game.
Since its introduction, the PogChamp emote has become a staple in Twitch chat during gaming streams. It’s commonly used as a way to react to epic moments, unbelievable plays, and crazy comebacks.
But the PogChamp emote also has a darker side. In early 2021, Gutierrez made comments on social media that were seen as insensitive and potentially harmful by some. This led Twitch to remove the PogChamp emote from their platform and to replace it with a new daily-changing emote called “PogChamp of the Day”.
After many months of uncertainty, in May 2021, Twitch introduced a new permanent PogChamp emote based on a rotating cast of popular streamers and gaming figures. Each day a new face appears so that there is always a fresh PogChamp Emote to choose from.
In conclusion, the PogChamp emote is an iconic symbol of excitement and hype in the gaming community. Despite its controversial history, the emote remains popular among Twitch users and continues to be used to express excitement during intense gaming moments. As Twitch continues to grow and evolve, it’s clear that the PogChamp emote will remain an important part of the platform and the wider gaming culture.
