We've said it before and we'll say it again - when the cameras are rolling, something
crazy is just BOUND to happen.
With the advent of modern technology, streaming platforms like Twitch offer users a way to
potentially broadcast themselves to millions of people at once.
Put these two together, along with some YouTube archiving - and it's a recipe for some insane
things to be caught on live camera streams.
From impressive collaborations to on-screen crime, let's take a look at seven crazy moments
caught when the webcams were on.
Starting things off at number seven - an impressively nerdy group effort by the collective internet.
Twitch Plays Pokemon, a social gaming experiment launched by an Australian software developer
on February 12, 2014, was introduced to be a revolutionary way to game online - in real
time.
Players were presented the opportunity to control the actions of the on-screen characters
by entering commands in a chat window (that was ultimately sent to an emulator running
the game).
Although the internet is usually regarded as a digital Wild West, the estimated 1.6
million players were able to impressively complete Pokemon Red after a period of sixteen
non-stop straight days collectively playing the hit game in front of over 80,000 steady
viewers.
Moving right along, this Russian gamer comes in at number six.
In February of 2016 A Russian gamer known as "MrGood7" was live streaming with a friend
to over 3,000 viewers.
While talking to the camera he suddenly hears a scream as a group of men rush into frame.
Members of an elite swat team throw him and his friend out of their chairs and on to the
ground as they begin to search the premises.
A few minutes pass by and an officer speaks to the man and begins to threaten him, most
likely for interrogation.
Kicking at him and grabbing him by the head in the process.
Abruptly the camera is turned off and no further information was found regarding this incident.
Next up - a slightly lighter take on swatting - coming in at number five.
Another League of Legends user - this one named Trick2g, was broadcasting an elaborate
24 hour live event to commemorate his goal of reaching 800,000 followers on Twitch.
After an exhausting run of gaming and broadcasting, he decided to close with a meticulously staged
finale: a mock swatting.
At about the three minute mark of the linked video, Trick smokes from a vaporizer - responding
to comments online - when someone shouts "Police!"
behind him.
Two men in costume as police violently tackle him to the ground - handcuffing him and walking
him out of the room and off screen.
Although the incident was staged, his account was banned and his popular gaming empire came
tumbling down.
Posing several questions on the ethics of gaming, broadcasting and legality - this dramatic
setup gone wrong made a serious ripple in the digital communities.
This shameful display of insensitivity (and accidental foolishness) comes in at number
four.
Popular Diablo streamer, known by the handle "ZiloanOP", made a running schtick out of
being handicapped and disabled - always appearing in a wheelchair while broadcasting.
Reportedly using deceit to fool sympathetic viewers into donations and support for his
physical limitations, he was outed as a fraudulent disabled person after standing up and walking
away - thinking the camera was turned off.
Rightfully infuriating his massive clan of subscribing viewers - his Twitch account was
banned shortly thereafter.
It remains unknown if he continues to broadcast elsewhere (or if there were any legal ramifications
to his ruse).
Inching back toward some COPS-level insanity – this Colorado gamer comes in at number
three.
Jordan Mathewson, a 24 Youtuber and Twitch streamer, was playing the popular multiplayer
game Counter-Strike and broadcasting his gaming to about 20,000 viewers when armed Littleton
police department members forcibly stormed into his office, pointing weapons and interrogating
him.
Apparently, someone viewing his stream obtained personal data and called police, falsely tipping
them off to an active shooter situation at his office.
The police also reported hearing two gunshots before the call was disconnected.
Although its not known if the suspect behind the swatting was ever caught, this instance
proves just how dangerous this prank can be.
Coming in at number two - a live robbery, broadcasted on Twitch.
In 2015, a Twitch streamer using the name "Mr. Big" set up a live stream of him playing
a multiplayer zombie survival game entitled NewZ for about 12 straight hours.
As he continued to play, he became louder and louder - shouting while playing the game
and inadvertently offending his neighbors.
When police showed up and began to reprimand and question him over the noise complaints
filed, he became agitated and began insulting the officer, eventually getting himself arrested.
But it didn't stop there - the camera kept rolling, catching his neighbor walking into
his unlocked apartment to steal a pair of Nikes, his wallet and some other things - all
in front of a live audience.
After returning home, Big reviewed the footage, spotting the burglary and reporting it to
police - landing his neighbor felony charges and an arrest of his own.
And finally, our number one - the live robbing at gunpoint of Nikki Elise and Shannon Scotten.
Elise and Scotten, two gamers from the Twitch community DOTACinema, were playing Dota 2
and broadcasting their match to Twitch when a knock at the door was heard - and that's
when it all went wrong.
After getting up to investigate, a moment goes by - then an unidentified person with
a gun steps into frame.This chilling real-life armed robbery was live streamed to users - who
made the situation viral almost immediately.
Both Elise and Scotten have since posted updates online indicating they were unharmed and well
- but after an experience like that, it's hard not to be shaken up beyond reason.
Her Twitch channel has since shut down.
Not the best way to spend the day.