Hey there Team Dignitas fans, Maleok here with our most recent Featured Streamer Spotlight. Meet Nicki Taylor, the singer of "Here Comes Vi" and "Worlds Collide". She has done extensive musical work with Riot and has been in several of our pieces over the last few months. She is also a very active League of Legends streamer with a dedicated and loyal viewer base. She talked to us about what it is like working with an eSports team and just how her stream functions.

<iframe style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7nsE2yUGBFc" width="550" height="350"></iframe>

How did you begin working with Team Dignitas?

Nicki: I Initially got involved with Team Dignitas when the wanted to interview me because of my music. I did a few more interviews with them about my work with Falconshield. Eventually they discovered my stream and they were like, "Hey that's cool! Let's do stuff.".

How has working with an eSports team impacted your audience?

Nicki: Right when I started working with Team Dignitas, the people who started coming to the stream through them were a different crowd. There were quite a few trolls and not so nice people. I think that's because when people hear "female streamer" they have a weird idea of what that is because of a lot of other people on Twitch. Luckily I think that has faded out, maybe we have converted people to the idea that, that is not what this stream is.

Did you ever think that your content would be backed by a sponsor?

Nicki: I don't want to say no...But considering we talk a lot about butts, farts, and poop a lot I didn't think it would be something that someone would say, "Hey this is something I really want to invest my time in and put my name/brand on!". *laughs* I mean it is really cool that someone wants to, because I am really invested in what I am doing. Other people are also invested in watching it and they enjoy it and it makes people happy! So based on that yes I would think someone would want to back it, but based on my content of poop, farts, and mediocre gameplay, no.

What is your schedule like as a streamer?

Nicki: Right now I am still working on making a set streaming schedule. One thing that is really cool about being a streamer is that you are your own boss and you can do what you want when you want. However if you want growth you have to be consistent. That is not really a struggle because I have days where I stream all the time. I just recently went to Mexico to perform "Here Comes Vi" and "Curse of the Sad Mummy" for a tournament. When I came back I had to: record a Falconshield song, get my streams in, which isn't for like 2 hours at a time it's between 5-8 hours at a time, catch up on not sleeping in Mexico, and figure out when I am putting my 8 hours in for stream and record, so I'm still trying to figure out how to work everything into a good schedule. We will get there.

What are the pros/cons of being a female streamer?

Nicki: The positives of being a female streamer? I don't think there really are any...I mean it would just be the positives of being a streamer. You get to interact with and connect with an audience, which is great. I guess some people might argue you have some sort of advantage because you are different in a sense? I don't like the girl gamer tag, I don't even like the gamer tag, you are just a person. I guess people just expect to see dudes playing video games so if you are a woman doing it then it's nice to look at so maybe then it's easier to get viewers? I guess the negatives would be that when people first come to the stream they expect you to have your tits out, or to not be good at the game, or to not take what you are doing seriously. They expect you to do whatever you have to do to get a donation. That just doesn't really appeal to me. Every time someone new comes to the stream it's like a whole new process of proving you wrong, and showing you what I'm not.

What attracts people to your stream?

Nicki: I personally don't watch a ton of Twitch streams. I really like Elspeth, I think she is awesome. I think that our streams have a similar appeal. I think most people come to streams to learn how to play the game. They think pro players are cool or whatever. You don't get that from my stream. *laughs* So i've had to find something else to make the stream cool and entertaining to come back to. We are stuck in Gold V a lot, but I guess it is a kind of real experience. I think people see themself when they see me playing, but then I guess it has the same appeal of a YouTube let's play in the way that it's like sitting on the couch playing games with your friends. 'Cause I'm...Well, like I said, poop jokes and whatnot. It's not just, "Here I'm gonna teach you how to play the game", it's very interactive with the audience. I talk to everybody, and every single subscriber gets their own little shout out. It's very personal, I know peoples usernames and most everyone that is in there. People get know the streamer and I do my best to make it fun.

Nicki in her bear costume. We know. Kawaii

What is the best part about being a streamer?

Nicki: One of the best things about it of course is being your own boss. It would suck to be told that you can't talk about poop, we talk a lot about poop in this video, it's okay that's just me. I think one of the most rewarding thing about it has been when people send me an email or a tweet about how they are going through a hard time in there life, and that coming to the stream and talking to me and the people in chat has helped them get through rough times. It's crazy to think that what I am doing, something so silly, can be the highlight of someone's day.

What is more important to you right now, stream growth or a steady audience?

Nicki: Stream growth is great, but from a business standpoint the people who are there all the time are the ones who are going to subscribe/donate. On the random days where you get a spike in viewers it is very rare that you have a first time viewer subscribe on the spot. I guess having that consistent base grow is obviously a great idea, however I think keeping a consistent audience is very important. So I would say consistency and and growth are equally important.

What was the first video game you ever played?

Nicki: I am pretty sure that is was Mario 64, I'm pretty sure. It was either that or Kirby's Dreamland or Pokemon Red. I am fairly certain it was one of those but I wanna say it was Mario 64.

Video Games or music?

Nicki: Kill the music! I say that because I hardly ever listen to music. I love music, I am a musician and a singer, but music gets me in a way that I don't think it gets most people. I get really depressed and I take the message way too much to heart and I will become who the singer is. I will get that feeling and just be like, "uhhhh turn it off.".

What is the most immersive game you have ever played?

Nicki: Pokemon was very immersive to me. I'm sure a lot of people can relate to this, when you are little and you are trying to catch em' all, that person on the screen is you and you create this mental interaction with the pokemon you are fighting with. When a Pokemon faints you are like, "I'm sorry I did this to you!". So I'm not saying that it's the most immersive game I have ever played but it is the one I have had the most immersive experience with.

Action RPG or First Person Shooter?

Nicki: Ughhhhh. Not first person shooter. That is the best way to put it.

Do you have any final words for your followers/new viewers?

Nicki: I guess I would want to say to the people who are there regularly, that they are awesome! I love my little cuddlebugs and give me purpose. To people who don't know who I am...I don't know, I guess if you like to smile you should check me out! *laughs*

If Nicki sounds like the type of person you would enjoy watching, check her out at http://www.twitch.tv/nickitaylor, you won't regret it!