Eric “PointCrow” Morino turns video games inside out, transforming familiar titles into spectacles of creative chaos. 

This rising star in the creator economy has amassed 2.4 million YouTube subscribers by playing popular games like Zelda, Pokemon, and Elden Ring “wrong and in a fantastic, fun, challenging way.”

His unique approach captivates audiences, blending skill-based gameplay with twists that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

Eric’s journey into content creation began in 2012 with Minecraft videos inspired by popular YouTubers of the time. However, it wasn’t until 2019 that he seriously considered streaming as a career path.

The turning point came during his final year of college when he had to choose between pursuing engineering or streaming full-time. 

“I told myself that if streaming [generated about the same earnings] as engineering, by the time I had to make that decision right out of college, I would choose streaming,” Eric recalls. 

His decision to choose streaming over engineering has paid off, but the success didn’t surprise him. 

“This sounds like hubris, but I always knew my content was good,” he states. “Why make it if you don’t want to watch it yourself?” This confidence, thorough research, and analytics prepared him for the following viral success.

The popular streamer reveals his strategies for success, the importance of community building, and his experiences at TwitchCon 2024.

PointCrow’s Rise in Streaming 

Eric attributes his success in the competitive streaming world to skill rather than luck. “A lot of people say streaming is all luck. It’s not. It’s a lot of skill,” he asserts. 

While luck might bring initial exposure, Eric points out that the real challenge lies in retaining viewers.

His approach involves constant preparation and maintaining high-quality content. “If I am a three-viewer person, I’m streaming as if I have a thousand,” Eric explains.

Building a loyal community is central to Eric’s strategy. He focuses on creating a positive atmosphere, stating, “It’s good vibes, having fun, because that’s what we all kind of really want to do, is being able to watch a stream a video and smile.” 

This philosophy extends to his content creation process, where he only produces genuinely enjoyable content.

Eric also stresses the importance of crafting something out-of-the-ordinary. 

“If you want to watch some guy watch paint dry for 10 hours, you’ve got to watch me,” he says, illustrating his commitment to offering distinctive experiences. In trend-following, he prioritizes quality over speed, aiming to create definitive versions of popular content.

Expanding beyond his initial Zelda-focused audience presented a significant challenge. Eric overcame this by strategically diversifying into Pokemon content. 

“I have to make a Pokemon video that is unique and also better than any other Pokemon video that is currently there,” he explains his thought process.

Community, Collaboration, and Creativity

Eric believes his success stems from Twitch’s unique community features, highlighting the platform’s established streaming culture. 

“I can still say without a doubt that Twitch chat is the definitive or an excellent example of a stream chat.”

When it comes to collaborations, Eric prioritizes content quality over follower counts. “The main thing I look for when casting for big events is the content itself,” he states. Eric seeks collaborators who can enhance the entertainment value of his streams, regardless of their audience size.

The content creator opts for variety and forward-thinking to keep his content fresh while maintaining a regular streaming schedule. Instead, he maintains a diverse content pipeline, drawing from an extensive list of ideas and potential projects.

Eric also credits his success to his support team, which includes producers, creative directors, and artists. “We all just have fun with it. That’s the main thing,” he explains, adding that a positive work environment is vital in content creation.

TwitchCon 2024: An Interactive Odyssey

At TwitchCon San Diego 2024, Eric participated in a whirlwind of activities designed to strengthen his connection with fans and fellow creators. 

His packed schedule included a two-hour meet-and-greet, a live show titled “Yes or No,” guest appearances on other creators’ streams, and interviews.

Eric’s approach to conventions centers on fan engagement. “My goal whenever I go to a convention like TwitchCon is to make sure that the people who want to see me and my content walk away happy,” he explains. 

This fan-first mindset led him to extend his meet-and-greet by an extra hour despite the demanding nature of such events.

The “Yes or No” live show was a milestone for Eric. “It’s actually the first time I was doing a live show in front of an audience,” he reveals. “I’ve done it with friends, I’ve done it online before, but this was the first one with an actual in-person crowd, and it was electric.”

Eric believes events like TwitchCon bridge the digital divide between streamers and their communities. 

“It makes it real,” he states. “It’s so easy to be behind a screen and think, ‘Oh, this is cool entertainment,’ but it’s an awesome way to engage in things a little bit more than you would be able to otherwise.”

The scale of his online reach becomes tangible at such events. With nearly a billion views across his channels, Eric finds these in-person interactions surreal yet grounding. “Every single airport that I’ve been to in the past year or two, I’ve been recognized,” he shares.

Streaming Wisdom

Eric offers straightforward advice to aspiring streamers: “Just do it.” He encourages them to take action, even if the initial results are less than ideal. 

“It’s going to be awful… But you did it, and it’s more than you did yesterday,” he explains, highlighting the value of experience and consistency.

Eric also believes they must be adaptable and reassess their strategies if growth stagnates.

Regarding his plans, Eric has several exciting projects in the pipeline. He plans to extensively stream the new Zelda game, “Echoes of Wisdom,” with daily 10-hour sessions and a comprehensive playthrough video. Additionally, he’s committed to a unique Pokemon challenge, streaming it daily until completion.

In a tantalizing hint at future content, Eric reveals an ambitious project: “I’m going to be attempting to play ten games simultaneously—ten different games like Elden Ring and Hollow Knight.”