Sodapoppin’s mom thought his Twitch earnings were fake “monopoly money” when he started Sodapoppin, one of the earliest stars of Twitch streaming, began his career before he turned 18, with neither he nor his family having any clear understanding of what the internet-based content creation industry would become. During an episode of his Punching Down podcast, Sodapoppin and his mother reflected on the confusion surrounding his early streaming income, particularly how his mother initially dismissed the money as fake. She admitted she did not recognize PayPal as a legitimate financial tool, instead comparing it to “Monopoly money.” When asked about her experience watching her son build a career online, she described the situation as “befuddling.” She recalled telling a friend, “Oh, he’s got some money, but I don’t think it’s real money.” This skepticism was rooted in the fact that, at the time, the concept of making a living through streaming was virtually nonexistent. Sodapoppin explained that the uncertainty was widespread, especially as large donations began appearing on his streams. One of the first major moments came when wealthy World of Warcraft players from Dubai started sending substantial sums through PayPal, including a single donation of $10,000. Sodapoppin remembered the moment vividly, stating, “At 18, I don’t give a f**k. I don’t even know what that means. I don’t care. I’m jumping up and down. I’m freaking out.” His mother, however, remained unaware of the nature of his work, believing he was simply playing games in his room. She struggled to grasp how gaming could translate into a real income source, explaining, “I just didn’t know that there was such a thing as making money playing games.” The challenges extended beyond his family.#dubai #paypal #world_of_warcraft #sodapoppin #punching_down_podcast
Fanta Teams Up with Xbox for Global Gaming Challenge A new collaboration between Fanta and Xbox is set to launch in April 2026, merging the iconic beverage brand with the gaming giant to create an immersive, gamified experience for fans. The partnership, announced on March 31, 2026, marks the first time Fanta has integrated its product with gaming elements, offering a special edition collection featuring characters from legendary Xbox titles. The campaign, titled “Wanta Fanta? Come Get It,” aims to engage fans through challenges, rewards, and a unique blend of gaming and beverage culture. The collaboration celebrates the Xbox 25th Anniversary and introduces a range of products, including a new special edition flavor called Fanta Crimson. The collection features character takeovers from some of Xbox’s most iconic franchises, such as Call of Duty, Halo, World of Warcraft, Diablo IV, and Forza Horizon 6. These characters have “taken over” Fanta as part of the campaign, which encourages fans to “take it back” through interactive challenges and digital activations. The initiative combines the thrill of gaming with the appeal of Fanta’s signature taste, creating a unique crossover experience. According to Ibrahim Salim Khan, Vice President of the Global Sparkling Flavors Category at The Coca-Cola Company, the partnership reflects Fanta’s commitment to innovation. “We imagine a world where the irresistible taste of Fanta is so delicious, it pulls players into a multiverse-sized adventure,” Khan said. “This collaboration with Xbox immerses fans in the worlds of their favorite games, teaming up with iconic characters to face larger-than-life challenges and prove how far they’ll go to get their Fanta back.#xbox #call_of_duty #fanta #halo #world_of_warcraft
Xbox and Fanta Team Up for a Special-Edition Collection To commemorate Xbox’s 25th anniversary, the gaming giant has partnered with Fanta to launch a limited-edition collection of beverages inspired by iconic Xbox franchises. The collaboration features characters from Halo, Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Forza Horizon 6, and Diablo IV, with each can or bottle in the collection designed to reflect the visual style and themes of these popular games. The special-edition packaging transforms ordinary Fanta bottles and cans into collectible items for fans of both gaming and the beverage brand. The partnership extends beyond the physical packaging. Starting April 6, fans can scan QR codes on the special-edition Fanta packaging to unlock interactive challenges and redeem in-game rewards tied to the featured franchises. Each challenge is tailored to a specific game, offering unique rewards such as exclusive in-game items, mounts, and downloadable content. For example, Halo fans can unlock the Master Chief’s Fantastic Spartan Armor, while World of Warcraft players can earn a Fantastical Goblin Waveshredder Mount. Call of Duty players will receive a Tactical Orange Calling Card and a 1-Hour 2XP Level Token, and Diablo IV players can access the Citron Whirl Town Portal. Forza Horizon 6 fans will get a 1966 Toyota Sports 800 Fanta Edition, redeemable from the launch date. In addition to the standard collection, Fanta is introducing a new flavor called Fanta Crimson, which is specifically designed to complement the Xbox-themed collaboration. This limited-edition flavor is available alongside the special-edition packaging, offering fans a taste of the gaming world through a refreshing beverage. The collaboration also includes an immersive in-person experience for fans in Los Angeles.#xbox #call_of_duty #fanta #halo #world_of_warcraft
