In the Shadow of S8UL’s Global Triumph, Krutika Plays’ Stream Numbers Spark Controversy

During a recent midnight stream, popular female Indian streamer Krutika Plays experienced a dramatic surge in live viewership—a rare occurrence given the time slot. As posted by lestgrowesports through a story update on Instagram, at 2:13 A.M. on March 23, 113,000 viewers tuned in, which then jumped to 149,000 at 2:18 A.M., only to plunge to 40,000 by 2:44 A.M. This anomaly has sparked serious questions about the authenticity of the viewership numbers and hints at potential viewbotting.

A Closer Look at the Numbers

For context, established male esports streamers present a telling contrast: Jonathan, with a subscriber base of approximately 6.85 million, regularly attracts between 80,000 to 120,000 concurrent viewers, owing to his strong appeal among young Indian audiences. In contrast, Mortal, despite being the most prominent figure in the Indian gaming industry with a similar following of around 7 million subscribers, typically garners between 20,000 to 50,000 concurrent viewers during his streams.

Therefore, Krutika Plays' peak of 149,000 concurrent viewers, with a comparatively modest 867,000 subscribers and regular BGMI gameplay, raises concerns about the authenticity of this spike. This discrepancy raises questions:

• How did a streamer with fewer followers command such high numbers at an off-peak hour?
• Is this spike organic, or does it suggest the possible use of viewbots?

 

 

 

 

 

S8UL’s Prominent Role in Indian Esports

The controversy is even more intriguing given the backdrop of S8UL’s recent accomplishments. S8UL, one of India’s top esports organizations, has just been selected as a Club Partner for the Esports World Cup 2025—a historic achievement that places them among 40 elite global teams. With accolades that include multiple Esports Awards and a dominant presence in titles like BGMI, VALORANT, and Call of Duty: Mobile, S8UL’s reputation stands as a benchmark for excellence in Indian esports.

 

 

Raising the Questions

Given S8UL’s stature and recent selection for the global stage, several key questions emerge:

• Transparency and Accountability: What measures does S8UL have in place to ensure that viewership metrics are organic and free from artificial inflation?
• Impact on Sponsorships: Could inflated viewership numbers be part of a broader strategy to secure lucrative sponsorship deals or endorsements?
• Comparative Metrics: With top male streamers rarely crossing 100,000 concurrent viewers despite larger followings, how can the stark disparity in numbers be explained when Krutika Plays is running basic BGMI gameplay?
• Organizational Oversight: As the organization responsible for managing multiple high-profile streamers, does S8UL have oversight mechanisms to prevent viewbotting, and can they provide clarity on this incident?

 

Latest Update: Before we reached out letsgrowesports for more insight into the matter, he had already taken his post down. When we contacted him for an explanation, he clarified that he removed the post amid community backlash. Later today, in a fresh post, he clarified: "someone had added bot-viewers to every stream yesterday midnight..." . Furthermore, another S8UL fan claimed nearly all S8UL creators’ streams were affected—even prompting some, like Regaltos, to halt their stream. However, Regaltos’ own stream showed no such activity with regular stream metrics.

The Larger Context of Viewbotting in Esports

The issue of viewbotting is not new. Similar cases—like the widely reported controversy involving Twitch streamer QueenGloriaRP—highlight how viewbot applications can artificially inflate numbers.

In an era where live metrics influence both perception and revenue, ensuring accurate, organic viewership data is critical. The discrepancy in Krutika Plays’ numbers may indicate systemic issues that need addressing within the industry.

The mysterious surge in Krutika Plays’ viewership numbers at midnight, juxtaposed with the careful curation of S8UL’s global esports credentials, raises pressing questions about authenticity and accountability. As we await S8UL’s response, it remains crucial for the esports community to scrutinize these anomalies, ensuring that success on the global stage is earned—and not artificially manufactured.

This story is under active investigation. Updates and official statements from S8UL will be incorporated as they become available.

 

Written by: Farjana Jamal (Freelance Contributor, India Today Gaming)