German Gaming Collective Builds Decade-Long Success Through Authentic Friendship and Consistent Content
In the bustling world of German gaming content, few creators have managed to build the kind of lasting community that PietSmiet has cultivated over more than a decade. What started as Peter Smits' personal YouTube channel back in 2007 has evolved into something much bigger—a collaborative entertainment powerhouse featuring five friends who've turned their shared love of gaming into a full-time business.
The journey from solo creator to group phenomenon wasn't overnight. Initially, Smits was posting personal content related to his school life, but everything changed in 2011 when he began creating gaming retrospectives while working at GameStar magazine. That's when the magic really began, as four of his friends—Jonathan Apelt, Dennis Brammen, Sebastian Lenßen, and Christian Stachelhaus—joined the adventure. Their chemistry was undeniable, and viewers could sense the genuine friendship behind the cameras.
What sets PietSmiet apart in the crowded gaming space is their authenticity. These aren't polished performers putting on a show; they're genuinely friends who happen to be entertaining while playing games together. Their content spans everything from traditional Let's Play series to cooking videos and game shows, but the constant thread is their natural banter and comedic timing. Whether they're tackling the latest indie darling or diving into a classic like Minecraft, their commentary feels effortless and unforced—like eavesdropping on friends having a good time.
Their Twitch presence has become equally impressive, with nearly 850,000 followers tuning in for their regular streams. The numbers tell a compelling story: they've been consistently streaming since 2011, and their recent activity shows 140 hours of streaming generating over 650,000 hours watched in just a month. Their schedule is refreshingly reliable too—Monday through Friday streams with specific time slots that their Berlin-based operation maintains consistently. They've found their sweet spot averaging around 4,600 viewers per stream, with peak moments hitting over 17,000 concurrent viewers.
Beyond the statistics, PietSmiet represents something valuable in the content creation landscape: longevity through genuine connection. In an era where many creators burn out or fade away, this group has managed to maintain their relevance by staying true to what initially drew people to them. They've built a proper business around their content—complete with a management company and multiple channels—without losing the casual, friendship-driven energy that made them special in the first place. Their success isn't just measured in followers or revenue, but in the sustained engagement of a community that's grown up alongside them over the years.