From High School Friends to Full-Time Streamers: The Rise of Authentic Gaming Content on Twitch
In the world of Twitch streaming, where thousands compete for viewers' attention daily, Davis "Hitch" Edwards has carved out a distinctive niche that blends gaming, friendship, and authentic storytelling. Known by his streaming handle Hitchariide, this content creator has built a community around genuine connections rather than flashy gimmicks or manufactured drama.
**The Journey from Call of Duty to Creative Direction**
Hitch's path into content creation wasn't entirely conventional. Starting his YouTube journey sporadically in March 2012, he didn't dive into consistent streaming until June 2015 when he began broadcasting on Twitch. His background in Call of Duty esports provided the foundation, but it was his transition to OpTic Gaming in May 2016 that really accelerated his career. During his three-year tenure with OpTic, which lasted until August 2019, he developed his skills not just as a player but as a creative force, eventually becoming their Creative Director while advocating for men's health issues.
**Team Summertime: When Friendship Meets Content**
What sets Hitch apart is his collaboration with Team Summertime, a trio that proves sometimes the best content comes from genuine friendships. Along with JorgeSummertime and BlakeCissel, these three friends from high school have turned their longtime gaming sessions into engaging streams. All born in 1993 just months apart, their dynamic feels natural because it is – they've been playing games together since their teenage years, and that authentic chemistry translates directly to their audience.
**Unfiltered Gaming with Heart**
The TST streams don't follow a sanitized corporate playbook. Their language isn't always clean, and their approach feels refreshingly unscripted. Hitch typically streams about three hours daily when doing joint sessions, though his solo streams happen on a more random schedule. This variety-focused approach keeps viewers engaged, never knowing whether they'll encounter intense gaming moments, casual conversations, or collaborative chaos with his teammates. The unpredictability has become part of the brand's charm.
**Building a Lasting Community**
Currently boasting 271,000 followers on Twitch, Hitch has successfully transitioned from his OpTic Gaming days to building something uniquely his own with Team Summertime under NRG Esports since October 2019. The group's ability to maintain their friendship while scaling their content creation speaks to both their personal bonds and professional understanding of their audience. Their success story – including securing an Elgato sponsorship that allowed all three to go full-time in October 2018 – demonstrates how authentic relationships can translate into sustainable streaming careers in an increasingly crowded digital landscape.