As an avid gamer and entrepreneur dedicated to the passionate gaming community, I‘ve seen the MonkaW emote rise to prominence in Twitch chats and gaming circles everywhere. But there‘s much more to this emote than meets the eye.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into the meaning, history, and usage of MonkaW – gaming‘s favorite way to express anxiety and fear.
The Origins of MonkaW
MonkaW‘s origins can be traced back to Pepe the Frog, but the emote as we know it today was born in Twitch meme culture.
Pepe the Frog:Created in 2005 by artist Matt Furie, Pepe was an innocent cartoon character until he became co-opted on 4chan and Reddit into edgier memes. By 2015, Pepe had become associated with alt-right extremism.
Feels Bad Man and Feels Good Man: In 2011, Pepe first gained internet fame through the "Feels Bad Man" and "Feels Good Man" memes on 4chan and Tumblr. His worried face conveyed sadness and discomfort.
MonkaS: In 2016, a zoomed-in version of Pepe‘s worried face was turned into the MonkaS emote by Twitch user Monkasen. This is the direct precursor to MonkaW.
MonkaW: In early 2017, the MonkaW emote featuring an even more zoomed-in Pepe was created by Twitch user voparoS_ and added to BetterTTV.
Why MonkaW Became So Popular
When MonkaW was first uploaded, it was an instant hit. According to third-party emote tracker bamboo.gg, MonkaW quickly became one of the top 5 most used BetterTTV emotes. What made it so popular?
Relatable: MonkaW‘s stressed face encapsulates a universal feeling. Gamers related to that sense of anticipation and fear.
Versatile: MonkaW works wonderfully alongside other emotes to add flavor and tone to chat. Streamers call it the "salt shaker of chat" for its versatility.
Humorous: There‘s something darkly funny about spamming MonkaW during cringey fails or jump scares. It lightens the mood.
Shareable: Like all great memes, MonkaW spread rapidly because it was quick and easy to duplicate everywhere. Before long, it was an essential part of gamer vocabulary online.
MonkaW By the Numbers
Just how widely used is MonkaW today? Here are some stats that demonstrate its popularity:
- 19th most used BTTV emote overall out of over 28,000 options
- 250,000+ Twitch channels have installed it via BetterTTV or FrankerFaceZ
- Peak usage of 3 million times per day across Twitch
- Ranks in the top 10 emotes used for gaming categories like Just Chatting, CS:GO, Dota 2, and Fortnite
Usage in Twitch Culture
From intense eSports matches to horror game streams, MonkaW can be seen in almost every corner of Twitch these days. Let‘s look at some typical MonkaW usage scenarios:
- Horror games: Streamers and viewers alike will spam MonkaW when something scary or a jumpscare happens.
- Multiplayer games: During tense competitive moments, you‘ll see MonkaW flood the chat from nervous spectators.
- IRL streams: Moments of public embarrassment or cringe are perfect times to break out MonkaW.
- Spam: MonkaW gets spammed alongside PogChamp, Kappa, and other emotes just for fun and to add to hype.
Streamer Reactions
I asked some top Twitch streamers why they enjoy the MonkaW emote so much. Here are their thoughts:
"MonkaW is so versatile. It‘s the perfect reaction for those clutch moments of suspense and excitement happening on stream." – shroud
"I love it when chat floods with MonkaW during scary parts of horror games. Seeing them freak out with me makes it so much better!" – Pokimane
"That zoomed-in Pepe face just encapsulates anxiety and discomfort perfectly. It‘s hilarious." – xQc
The Controversy Around Pepe the Frog
As mentioned earlier, the source material for MonkaW has a controversial past. Pepe the Frog became hijacked by alt-right groups in 2015-2016, designated as a hate symbol by the ADL.
However, most Twitch users do not associate the innocent-looking MonkaW emote with hate speech or extremism. It maintains a place as a light-hearted reaction face for gaming content. But caution is still urged when sharing Pepe memes outside of Twitch.
Accessing MonkaW on Twitch
MonkaW is not an official Twitch emote, so it requires third-party apps to use:
- BetterTTV browser extension (most common)
- FrankerFaceZ browser add-on
- BTTV mobile app
Once installed, just type "MonkaW" in any chat it will appear. I highly recommend gamers get these tools to unlock the full Twitch emote experience.
The Enduring Appeal of MonkaW
As both an entrepreneur and gaming enthusiast, I‘m fascinated by trends that emerge and thrive in online communities like Twitch. And few emotes have demonstrated the viral appeal and long-lasting power of MonkaW.
Its ability to convey complex emotions in one zoomed-in image of Pepe is quite impressive! MonkaW has cemented its place in the pantheon of essential gamer slang and react faces. I can‘t wait to see this versatile emote continue evolving in surprising new ways.
