XtremeGamez

Thomas and Jonathan Smith, better known online as XtremeGamez, are an Australian YouTube duo who are known for their DIY and challenge videos, along with their giveaways. They became infamous for their supposed fake giveaways and for faking their deaths for views. 
==History ==
Thomas and Jonathan created their first channel on May 21, 2014 where they originally created let's plays of mobile games and prank calls while also doing giveaways, sometimes related to those games. They soon created the channel, XtremeGamez Pokémon, which strictly focused on Pokémon GO and unboxing cards.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0ld3SzN38U&t 
Jonathan has supposedly had a history of medical complications with his kidneys. Around 2014, He began experiencing prolonged puffing in his feet and eyes, to which he was diagnosed with a kidney disease where he was sent to the emergency room. He originally took prednisolone, though it didn't work, so he chose to have a biopsy. Jonathan has since been taking tablets to treat kidney disease.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4_lKP2r7Rs&t They're also known to be heavy believers in Christianity, often tweeting out about Jesus Christ and promoting his teachings in some videos. 
The brothers also created a short lived channel on October 12, 2021 called XtremeGamez Shorts where they upload YouTube shorts. As of September 2022, Jonathan has been in the ICU due to his lungs not functioning properly, resulting in the temporary hiatus of the channel. Thomas would set up a GoFundMe page to pay off the hospital bills and used to give updates on his condition before deleting them from YouTube.https://twitter.com/XtremeGamezcoc/status/1574378690947198979
==Content==
XtremeGamez used to be known for creating let's plays and live streams of mobile games, such as Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, most notably Pokémon GO. They would also be used to create prank phone call videos.
Beginning in 2017, XtremeGamez began to create a variety of content related to DIY, challenges, let's plays, reactions, etc. They're best known for their custom DIY videos where they customized NERF guns, fidget spinners, molded guns, etc. They would also upload reactions and discussions about optical illusions and human genetic rarity. The brothers would also create several types of challenges on the channel, such as 3 AM challenges, 24 hour prison escapes and restaurants, water balloons, etc. They'll sometimes create unboxing of real life merchandise or treasure chests and Minecraft chests. Some of these are related to popular media and characters, such as Minecraft, Poppy's Playtime, Pennywise, etc.
The channel is notorious for their giveaways, where they mainly giveaway iPhones to the fans, which can mainly be achieved by subscribing, liking videos, and commenting on what fans want to win the most. 
==Controversy==
===Faking deaths===
In 2018, XtremeGamez uploaded the video "Were Quiting Youtube Because Were Dying (NOT CLICKBAIT)", in which they announced they were retiring from the platform due to their terminal illnesses. Thomas and Jonathan said they were dying from vertigo and kidney disease respectively. They also say they're doing a final giveaway where people can win two iPhone X's by subscribing to their channel. Thomas and Jonathan say they did this in order to give back the support they've received online. They then mention that they've been to multiple doctors, only to be turned down by all of them. However, they say that one American doctor might be able to help them by the name of Dr. John Bergman.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-mhkRI1tgk&t
After the video, the brothers would frequently make update videos about their condition and appointments. While some fans showed support toward the brothers, other YouTubers and fans had speculated that they faked their illnesses for views, mainly Leon Lush. They received criticism saying that they did it for attention due to the giveaway during the middle of the video. They got backlash for saying vertigo was a disease, when it was actually a mental condition and them being capable of recording videos, despite their severe illnesses. Some have also criticized the brothers for seeking out Dr. Bergman as he specializes as a chiropractor.https://www.audible.com/author/John-Bergman/B00BPB2OSO
In September of 2018, they uploaded a video titled "THE TRUTH ABOUT US DYING FOR VIEWS..." in which they respond to the accusations by Leon Lush. In the video, they attempt to show evidence, such as previously showing off earlier videos and symptoms in Jonathan. Thomas then responds to criticism of his vertigo, to which he says some people can die from depression and anxiety disorders. The brothers also show support toward Dr. Bergman, due to apparently finding evidence of more severe diseases and claiming he knows the cures for cancer and kidney and liver disease.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxo3lqHwB0s However, the video still got backlash from fans and Leon Lush due to the giveaway in the video and fake claims from Dr. Bergman.
Two months later, the brothers uploaded another video announcing that they've been cured of vertigo and kidney disease. They claimed that after visiting doctors, they say they showed no symptoms of their diseases, which they think were cured by Dr. Bergman and Jesus Christ.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3UdJ1SyIT0&t XtremeGamez would soon remove any videos relating to their illnesses or responses to the controversy.
==References==
Category:Comedy YouTubers
Category:Gaming YouTubers
Category:Vlogging YouTubers
Category:Prank YouTubers
Category:Reaction YouTubers
Category:Australian YouTubers
Category:Users who joined in 2014
Category:One million subscribers
Category:Two million subscribers
Category:Three million subscribers
Category:Four million subscribers
Category:Five million subscribers