Uploaded November 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Join esports analysts and industry veterans as they unpack the shocking demise of theScore Esports YouTube channel, dissect Twitch’s ongoing struggles, and expose the shifting power dynamics fueled by Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in competitive gaming.
In this episode, we cover:
⦁ The fall of theScore Esports – why clickbait content, lack of personality branding, declining views, and unsustainable business models led to its collapse
⦁ Twitch’s advertising crisis – how viewership decline, ad revenue drops, toxic political drama, and lack of engineering solutions are driving advertisers away
⦁ Esports industry contraction – from the Overwatch League collapse to failed franchising, crypto implosion, and the broader “esports winter”
⦁ Saudi Arabia’s strategic takeover – the Esports World Cup, sports-washing, youth engagement goals, and why major developers like Riot and Valve have partnered with Saudi-backed events
If you enjoy deep dives into the business and politics of esports, subscribe for more insider commentary, industry analysis, and unfiltered takes. Drop a comment with your thoughts on whether esports can recover from this downturn, and share this video to keep the conversation going.
The Last Free Nation merch shop is open, and now includes the Four Horsemen logo t-shirt! Show off your fandom and support us and by purchasing the high-quality items on our merch shop. Check our website for more info on shipping! https://lastfreenation.shop
Black Friday is around the corner, and Raycon audio products are up to 30% off sitewide! Go to buyraycon.com/HORSEMENOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide.
Ready to say yes to saying no? Make the switch at MINTMOBILE.com/fourhorsemen.
Upfront payment of $45 required (equivalent to $15/mo.). Limited time new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speeds may slow above 35GB on Unlimited plan. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details.
Visit prizepicks.onelink.me/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!
Eat smart at FactorMeals.com/horsemen50off and use code horsemen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.
The Four Horsemen is the premier esports industry show that reacts to important news and critical conversations across all major titles. Esports veterans Duncan "Thorin" Shields, Richard Lewis, and Christopher "MonteCristo" Mykles use their decades of experience to shed light and debate on key esports topics as they emerge. Each episode they are joined by an expert guest to help further provide insider information on the topic at hand.
Season 4 Episode 18 was filmed on November 26th, 2025.
Watch The Four Horsemen on Spotify with video:
open.spotify.com/show/2NBATCQs2dq50PJRjND7j9
Listen to The Four Horsemen on these audio platforms!
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-four-horsemen/id1555303495
Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ucw0inmo
Pandora: pandora.com/podcast/the-four-horsemen/PC:1001030353
iHeart: iheart.com/podcast/104246987
Come join the Insight on Esports Discord for in-depth discussion across esports: discord.gg/zeWYq4JhEU
0:00:00 The demise of TheScore Esports
0:43:21 Twitch viewbotting
1:45:29 The WWE-ification of Twitch
1:53:09 Problems on other platforms
2:12:39 The futures of esports and content creation
2:45:32 Final thoughts
#EsportsNews #TwitchDrama #TheScoreEsports #GamingIndustry #EsportsWorldCup #GamingBusiness #Twitch #YouTubeGaming
Join esports analysts and industry veterans as they unpack the shocking demise of theScore Esports YouTube channel, dissect Twitch’s ongoing struggles, and expose the shifting power dynamics fueled by Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in competitive gaming.
In this episode, we cover:
⦁ The fall of theScore Esports – why clickbait content, lack of personality branding, declining views, and unsustainable business models led to its collapse
⦁ Twitch’s advertising crisis – how viewership decline, ad revenue drops, toxic political drama, and lack of engineering solutions are driving advertisers away
⦁ Esports industry contraction – from the Overwatch League collapse to failed franchising, crypto implosion, and the broader “esports winter”
⦁ Saudi Arabia’s strategic takeover – the Esports World Cup, sports-washing, youth engagement goals, and why major developers like Riot and Valve have partnered with Saudi-backed events
If you enjoy deep dives into the business and politics of esports, subscribe for more insider commentary, industry analysis, and unfiltered takes. Drop a comment with your thoughts on whether esports can recover from this downturn, and share this video to keep the conversation going.
The Last Free Nation merch shop is open, and now includes the Four Horsemen logo t-shirt! Show off your fandom and support us and by purchasing the high-quality items on our merch shop. Check our website for more info on shipping! https://lastfreenation.shop
Black Friday is around the corner, and Raycon audio products are up to 30% off sitewide! Go to buyraycon.com/HORSEMENOPEN to save on Raycon audio products sitewide.
Ready to say yes to saying no? Make the switch at MINTMOBILE.com/fourhorsemen.
Upfront payment of $45 required (equivalent to $15/mo.). Limited time new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speeds may slow above 35GB on Unlimited plan. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details.
Visit prizepicks.onelink.me/HORSEMEN and use code HORSEMEN and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!
Eat smart at FactorMeals.com/horsemen50off and use code horsemen50off to get 50% off your first box, plus Free Breakfast for 1 Year.
The Four Horsemen is the premier esports industry show that reacts to important news and critical conversations across all major titles. Esports veterans Duncan "Thorin" Shields, Richard Lewis, and Christopher "MonteCristo" Mykles use their decades of experience to shed light and debate on key esports topics as they emerge. Each episode they are joined by an expert guest to help further provide insider information on the topic at hand.
Season 4 Episode 18 was filmed on November 26th, 2025.
Watch The Four Horsemen on Spotify with video:
open.spotify.com/show/2NBATCQs2dq50PJRjND7j9
Listen to The Four Horsemen on these audio platforms!
Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-four-horsemen/id1555303495
Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/ucw0inmo
Pandora: pandora.com/podcast/the-four-horsemen/PC:1001030353
iHeart: iheart.com/podcast/104246987
Come join the Insight on Esports Discord for in-depth discussion across esports: discord.gg/zeWYq4JhEU
0:00:00 The demise of TheScore Esports
0:43:21 Twitch viewbotting
1:45:29 The WWE-ification of Twitch
1:53:09 Problems on other platforms
2:12:39 The futures of esports and content creation
2:45:32 Final thoughts
#EsportsNews #TwitchDrama #TheScoreEsports #GamingIndustry #EsportsWorldCup #GamingBusiness #Twitch #YouTubeGaming
