Artesian Builds Suspends 'All Activities' After PC Giveaway Backlash
Artesian Builds CEO, Noah Katz, previously apologised after the company was accused of discriminating against small streamers.
09th Mar 2022 13:21
Artesian Builds
Custom PC builder Artesian Builds has announced that it is bringing operations to a halt. The news comes after the company was slammed on social media for snubbing small content creators from its prize giveaways.
With its epic custom PC designs and creations, Artesian Builds established itself as one of the most renowned custom computer builders. As well as pulling in impressive viewing figures during its PC building streams, the company partnered up with some of the most famous faces in the streaming community.
However, everything began to fall apart after CEO Noah Katz was caught on stream refusing to give a streamer her prize during a PC giveaway, despite winning fair and square, all because of her moderate following on social media. Being subsequently hit with a wave of backlash and its big-name partners pulling out left, right, and centre, it seems it could all be over for Artesian Builds, for now.
What Happened With Artesian Builds?
On March 1, Artesian Builds was doing a livestreamed PC giveaway hosted by Katz when Twitch streamer "Kiapiaa" was chosen to win the top prize of a custom-made computer. However, after Katz refused to give her the PC because her following was "under (their) threshold," Kiapiaa took to Twitter to condemn Katz's comments branding them "belittling."
As the tweet started to get attention, numerous other content creators came forward to accuse Artesian Builds of discriminating against small streamers. Not only did many echo Kiapiaa's own experience, but others claimed that Artesian offered them an "offensive" deal in return for a partnership. Katz made a number of apologies on Twitter for his comments, but it did nothing to quell the backlash.
Things then went from bad to worse as one-by-one a number of Artesian's most famous partners distanced themselves from the company. For example, FaZe Clan's Nicholas "NICKMERCS" Kolcheff slammed Katz's comments, then esports organisation One True King (OTK) cut ties with the company altogether.
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Artesian Builds Suspends 'All Activities'
The PC giveaway drama clearly hasn't disappeared for Artesian Builds as on March 9, the company announced via Twitter that it was ceasing operations. In the statement, Artesian said: "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. We are open to assistance/investment [sic]."
The news follows Artesian's previous announcement from March 5 saying "at this point we are examining a potential employee-led buy-out of the company. Thank you for your support."
As of writing, there has been no response from NICKMERCS or OTK, but Kiapiaa has expressed her shock at the news. However, while many Twitter users are in agreement that Katz's comments were unacceptable, some are questioning whether the decision to suspend Artesian altogether was a step too far.
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About The Author
Emma Hill
Emma Hill is a former Junior Journalist at GGRecon.
