Research on extremism in gaming has often focused on the content of video games themselves. Much less attention has been given to the digital spaces that surround gaming, including livestreaming platforms, chat systems, and creator communities where audiences spend far more time than in the games. This study examines how far-right actors exploit these gaming-adjacent platforms, including DLive, Twitch, and Odysee, to spread propaganda, encourage cognitive radicalization, and move followers into more extreme online environments.
Drawing on three detailed case studies, the article shows how extremists use the interactive features of these platforms, such as real-time chat, donations, audience participation, and cross-platform migration, to weave ideological messages into familiar entertainment formats. These practices do not build “loyal fanbases;” they create ongoing pathways for radicalization, making extremist narratives feel social, participatory, and emotionally engaging.
The findings demonstrate that the risk does not lie in video games themselves but in the social infrastructure that surrounds them. These insights have direct implications for platform governance, counter-extremism practitioners, and those working in the gaming industry. Understanding how extremists repurpose these digital ecosystems is essential for monitoring fringe online spaces and reducing opportunities for ideological grooming and mobilization.
