VanossGaming

Fong was born on May 31, 1992 and raised in Toronto, Ontario; he is of Korean and Chinese descent.{{Cite web |title=Evan Fong |url=https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=125351 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714064504/https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=125351 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |access-date=14 July 2023 |website=HockeyDB}}{{Cite web |last=Farner |first=Shawn |date=29 April 2020 |title=The Untold Truth of VanossGaming |url=https://www.svg.com/130171/the-untold-truth-of-vanossgaming/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714062840/https://www.svg.com/130171/the-untold-truth-of-vanossgaming/ |archive-date=14 July 2023 |access-date=14 July 2023 |publisher=SVG}} When Fong was young, he played video games "here and there", which included children's adventure and puzzle titles such as Freddi Fish and Pajama Sam.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-m4msS1LY20 |title=GTA 5 – Q&A (How I Met My Friends, First Video Game, Superheroes, Hockey, Minecraft, Favorite Video) |date=13 March 2014 |last=Fong |first=Evan |language=en |publisher=VanossGaming |access-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/-m4msS1LY20 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{Cbignore}} Later in his youth, he played Duke Nukem 3D and said it was the first "violent game" he played; Fong frequently used cheat codes such as 'God-mode' or 'unlimited ammo' to make the game more enjoyable. He graduated from Richmond Hill High School and studied economics at the University of Pennsylvania, but he later dropped out in his second year to focus on his YouTube channel as a full-time commitment.{{cite news |date=January 14, 2015 |title=Toronto man draws millions playing games on YouTube |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |agency=The Canadian Press |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-man-draws-millions-playing-games-on-youtube-1.2901029 |url-status=live |access-date=June 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520064316/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/toronto-man-draws-millions-playing-games-on-youtube-1.2901029 |archive-date=20 May 2023}}{{Cite web |title=VanossGaming Profile |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/vanossgaming/?list=top-influencers-gaming&sh=3afc71b03c66 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523062643/https://www.forbes.com/profile/vanossgaming/?list=top-influencers-gaming&sh=3afc71b03c66 |archive-date=23 May 2023 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=Forbes |publisher=}} He said that his parents were initially concerned that he was neglecting his studies in favor of producing content for his YouTube channel, admitting that "Even though there's a lot of potential for somebody starting a YouTube channel it's obviously not a guaranteed path."

Fong used to play ice hockey. He started when he was six and played it competitively for many years before he started his YouTube channel. Fong spent several years playing in the Ontario Junior Hockey League where he played for four different teams, Villanova Knights (2009–2010), Vaughan Vipers (2010–2011), Dixie Beehives (2011) and Aurora Tigers (2011–2012). As a forward, he played 127 games, scoring 24 goals, whilst racking up 49 assists, and 73 points. Fong revealed that whilst playing at youth level, he played against future National Hockey League (NHL) players Tyler Seguin and Jeff Skinner whilst the duo played in the Greater Toronto Hockey League with the Toronto Nationals.{{Cite news |last=Hunter |first=Paul |date=31 July 2011 |title=Seguin returns to minor hockey roots in Toronto with Stanley Cup |work=Toronto Star |url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2011/07/31/seguin_returns_to_minor_hockey_roots_in_toronto_with_stanley_cup.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419075114/https://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/2011/07/31/seguin_returns_to_minor_hockey_roots_in_toronto_with_stanley_cup.html |archive-date=19 April 2023}}

File:VanossGaming_Logo.jpg

Fong created the VanossGaming channel on YouTube on September 15, 2011.{{Cite web |title=About VanossGaming |url=https://www.youtube.com/@VanossGaming/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230608010638/https://www.youtube.com/@VanossGaming/about |archive-date=8 June 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |publisher=YouTube}} The name "Vanoss" comes from VANOS,{{Efn|VANOS is derived from the German term "variable Nockenwellensteuerung", translating to variable camshaft control}} a variable valve timing system produced by German automobile company BMW;{{Cite web |title=BMW Technology Guide: VANOS/Double-VANOS |url=http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/vanos_double_vanos.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203050147/http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/technology_guide/articles/vanos_double_vanos.html |archive-date=3 February 2017 |access-date=8 July 2023 |publisher=BMW}} Fong's father used the alias "vanoss62"{{Efn|Which likely refers to the S62 engine, BMW's first V8 engine to have double-VANOS{{Cite web |title=Here are all the facts about BMW's hottest V-8 |url=http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/engines/s62.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616125309/http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/engines/s62.htm |archive-date=16 June 2012 |access-date=8 July 2023 |website=USautoparts}}}} on a PlayStation 3, which his son later adopted for his own.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFB81aw5f-A&list=UUKqH_9mk1waLgBiL2vT5b9g&index=2 |title=Black Ops 2 Vanoss Q&A Answers Vlogs, Hockey, Smoking Weed, My Name, Accomplishments |date=27 January 2013 |last=Fong |first=Evan |language=en |publisher=VanossGaming |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/6xQtt37Q2_A |archive-date=14 June 2023 |url-status=dead |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} Fong began to receive mainstream media attention as his channel approached 11 million subscribers in 2015. Speaking at the time, he suggested that his success could be credited to the fact that "Viewers really like the authentic type of content from regular people just playing games because they can relate to that". Fong's channel is said to capitalize from the "subculture of young people [that] are tuning out of TV" and preferring online content, specifically video game commentary.

Fong signed with the multi-channel network (MCN) Machinima early in his career and was their most viewed channel in December 2015.{{Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Joshua |date=25 January 2015 |title=Top 100 Most Viewed YouTube Channels Worldwide • December 2015 |work=Tubefilter |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2016/01/25/top-100-most-viewed-youtube-channels-worldwide-december-2015/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725111603/https://www.tubefilter.com/2016/01/25/top-100-most-viewed-youtube-channels-worldwide-december-2015/ |archive-date=25 July 2016}} On April 30, 2015, Fong announced on Twitter that he had signed with Jetpak (stylized as JETPAK),{{cite tweet|number=593761620154781698|user=VanossGaming|title=As of this morning, I am incredibly proud to say that I am officially part of the @GETJETPAK network. Feels great to be home :)|first=Evan|last=Fong|date=30 April 2015}} an MCN founded by former YouTubers Adam Montoya and Tom Cassell, along with several former Machinima employees.{{Cite press release |title=3BLACKDOT Launches JETPAK, The Alternative Multi-Channel Network |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3blackdot-launches-jetpak-the-alternative-multi-channel-network-281772471.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206171826/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3blackdot-launches-jetpak-the-alternative-multi-channel-network-281772471.html |archive-date=6 December 2022 |via=PR Newswire |access-date=8 July 2023 |publisher=3BLACKDOT}} Fong released a new logo for the VanossGaming brand in November 2015, the "owl themed" design is based on his Grand Theft Auto Online avatar,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LxGb1JlZ08 |title=Gmod Prop Hunt Funny Moments – Snack House & Barrel Room! (Garry's Mod) |date=26 November 2015 |last=Fong |first=Evan |language=en |publisher=VanossGaming |access-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/1LxGb1JlZ08 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |via=YouTube}}{{Cbignore}} which is also available to play as on Watch Dogs: Legion.{{Cite web |title=Vanoss Clothing in Watch Dogs: Legion Available Now! |url=https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/watch-dogs/legion/news-updates/16Z06jVGy1XGZyyWoIFYX9/vanoss-clothing-in-watch-dogs-legion-available-now |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230708060729/https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/watch-dogs/legion/news-updates/16Z06jVGy1XGZyyWoIFYX9/vanoss-clothing-in-watch-dogs-legion-available-now |archive-date=July 8, 2023 |access-date=8 July 2023 |publisher=Ubisoft }}

Fong's content has earned him multiple award nominations, including two Shorty Awards for Tech and Innovation, under the category of Gaming, losing out to Rooster Teeth's Let's Play and NoisyButters in 2016 and 2020 respectively.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Ashley |date=11 April 2016 |title=Shorty Awards: The Complete Winners List |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/shorty-awards-2016-winners-full-882622/arts-and-entertainment-actor-2/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005102719/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/shorty-awards-2016-winners-full-882622/arts-and-entertainment-actor-2/ |archive-date=5 October 2022}}{{Cite web |date=2020 |title=From the 12th Annual Shorty Awards – Best in Gaming |url=https://shortyawards.com/category/12th/gaming |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326115443/https://shortyawards.com/category/12th/gaming |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |publisher=Shorty Awards}} On March 6, 2015, he appeared on the "YouTube Gaming Evolution" panel at PAX East in Boston, Massachusetts, alongside panelists W1LDC4T43, Lui Calibre, Mini Ladd, TheBajanCanadian and JeromeASF.{{Cite web |date=2015 |title=YouTube Gaming Evolution |url=https://east.paxsite.com/schedule/panel/youtube-gaming-evolution |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318042244/https://east.paxsite.com/schedule/panel/youtube-gaming-evolution |archive-date=18 March 2015 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=PAX East}} He has been recognized as a central figure in the subculture of video game commentary, with publications attributing his massive popularity to his sense of authenticity.

The majority of VanossGaming videos take the format of a montage or compilation, featuring various clips from a particular game session, usually featuring other video game commentators. The Canadian Press described "a typical Vanoss video" as one that features "Vanoss and a group of friends chatting, laughing and making jokes over gameplay from popular titles such as Grand Theft Auto V or Call of Duty: World at War."

Among a variety of content, Fong posts Garry's Mod exploit videos, often exploring and performing in different landscapes on user-created content servers, his content is an exceptional case in which player productivity can result in substantial monetary remuneration.{{Cite conference |last=Nelson |first=Peter |date=2017 |title=A Game Made From Other Games: Actions and Entities in Garry's Mod |url=https://www.academia.edu/35396119 |conference=The Philosophy of Computer Games Conference, Kraków 2017 |pages=1–10 |url-access=registration |via=Academia.edu |journal=Proceedings of the Philosophy of Computer Games Conference, Krakow}} According to City University of Hong Kong scholar Peter Nelson, this form of content, for which Fong pioneered, is a manifestation of modern business development. Nelson claimed in 2017 that "the spectacle of self-referentiality and pastiche [within the game itself] is emblematic of the cultural logic of late capitalism". Fong's YouTube success symbolises a quantifiable outcome in sandbox gameplay, it is an example of modern entrepreneurship which capitalises on GMod's extended depth within the logic of the internet. Fong never shows his face, but collaborates with other players and creators.{{Cite journal |last1=Himma-Kadakas |first1=Marju |last2=Kõuts-Klemm |first2=Ragne |date=August 2018 |title=The food chain of YouTubers: engaging audiences with formats and genres |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327449474 |journal=Observatorio |publication-place=Estonia |pages=54–75 |via=ResearchGate}} His presence on the social platform is a part of a sophisticated, but lucid, 'food chain'; he is an established gaming genre YouTuber which feeds beginner content creators with his genre and formatting ideas, contributing to 'YouTuber content branches'. Themes of established creators, such as Fong, Swedish YouTuber PewDiePie and English creator KSI, are distributed across the 'food chain' as exemplars for success, notably with formatting and genres involving humour sketches, parodies, highlights and compilations.

Alongside PewDiePie and Sky Does Minecraft, Fong's channel was credited for the substantial growth in popularity of gaming content on YouTube during the 2010s; in 2018 the genre was the fourth most popular category on the platform.{{Cite journal |last1=Maloney |first1=M |last2=Roberts |first2=S |last3=Caruso |first3=A |date=2018 |title='Mmm ... I love it, bro!': Performances of masculinity in YouTube gaming ' |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1461444817703368 |journal=New Media & Society |publisher=Sage |volume=20 |issue=5 |doi=10.1177/1461444817703368 |s2cid=21666131 |url-access=subscription |access-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429073934/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1461444817703368 |url-status=live }} Fong's genre appeals mostly to boys and adolescents, with males accounting for over 80% of viewership in 2018. The format exhibited by Fong and similar creators has been described as a form of improvisational-comedy and as a madcap approach to the original style of video game commentary. Whilst they have been strong commercial advisories as they produce content within the same genre, PewDiePie's output has key differences to Fong's content. His footage nearly always feature his online friendship group within a small variety of games, whereas PewDiePie's footage usually features himself alone within a larger variety of games. When explaining why recording with friends improves his content, Fong in 2015 compared watching a movie by yourself to watching one with friends, saying "I'll laugh a lot more with friends as opposed to just watching by myself", also mentioning that his particular group of coworkers makes his content unique.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.theunofficialconventionarchive.com/pax-east-2015-youtube-gaming-evolution/ |title=PAX East 2015 – YouTube Gaming Evolution |date=6 March 2015 |last=Fong |first=Evan |type=Convention |language=en |publisher=PAX |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/you-tube-gaming |archive-date=3 August 2021 |via=The Unofficial Convention Archive}}{{cbignore}} Fong's social impact on boys and adolescents was analysed and published in the New Media & Society journal in 2018.

Fong's content is mainly "fast, funny moment videos" which compile the highlights of gaming sessions with his friends, eliminating what he calls "downtime" or uninteresting content. He uploads this format over 'let's play' content because young people have short attention spans and busy lives, the 'montage format' can be a "quick and funny video", which is far more engaging and is "exciting the entire time". Due to the nature of this format, he can spend almost an entire day searching, compiling and editing his content which in his view is a high quality video, and for larger projects, this process can take almost an entire week.

{{quote box

| quote = I think the biggest [difference] is that more personal connection. How we feel just hanging out together as friends, that has always been the leading energy of our content. I think the audience these days wants that closer connection, that feel like they know us or whoever it is they're watching.

| source = – Fong discussing the differences between a 'traditional celebrity' and a popular YouTuber.

| align = right

| width = 25%

}}

During 2015 and 2016, VanossGaming was one of the most subscribed channels on the YouTube.{{Cite web |date=22 October 2016 |title=The Top Youtubers Throughout History |url=https://vandegraph.medium.com/the-top-youtubers-throughout-history-9f22ac4bee45 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203185344/https://vandegraph.medium.com/the-top-youtubers-throughout-history-9f22ac4bee45 |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=14 June 2023 |website=Medium}} On June 29, 2015, he was the 18th most subscribed channel on platform, he was also the 6th most-subscribed channel which was not 'branded',{{Efn|i.e., does not belong to an organization or company|name=brand}} ranked behind only PewDiePie, HolaSoyGerman, Smosh, JennaMarbles and nigahiga. The American business magazine Forbes named Fong as one of the gaming industry's top influencers in 2017.{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=Top Influencers of 2017: Gaming |url=https://www.forbes.com/top-influencers/2017/gaming/#7a1ef2117dfb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216212530/https://www.forbes.com/top-influencers/2017/gaming/#5d0e4a2617df |archive-date=16 February 2023 |access-date=29 June 2023 |website=Forbes |publisher=}} During that year, Fong earned approximately US$15.5 million from his YouTube channel, making him the second highest paid YouTuber on the platform behind only DanTDM, who pulled in $16.5 million the same year.{{Cite news |last=Saha |first=Mrinal |date=13 December 2017 |title=Here are the Top 10 highest paid YouTubers of 2017 |work=TechWiser |url=https://techwiser.com/top-10-highest-paid-youtubers/#2-Evan-Fong-VanossGaming |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321012848/https://techwiser.com/top-10-highest-paid-youtubers/ |archive-date=21 March 2023}} In 2022, he had an estimated net worth of $25 million according to Slice.{{Cite news |last=Murray |first=Doug |date=17 October 2022 |title=The Richest Online Gamers in 2022 — Based on Net Worth |work=Slice |publisher=Corus Entertainment Inc. |url=https://www.slice.ca/the-richest-online-gamers-based-on-net-worth/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331224418/https://www.slice.ca/the-richest-online-gamers-based-on-net-worth/ |archive-date=31 March 2023}} As of March 26, 2025, the VanossGaming channel has over 16.4 billion views and 25.9 million subscribers.{{Cite web |title=VanossGaming's YouTube Stats |url=https://socialblade.com/youtube/user/vanossgaming |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216055911/http://socialblade.com/youtube/user/vanossgaming |archive-date=December 16, 2014 |access-date=26 March 2025 |website=Social Blade}}

Fong often plays games with friends and collaborators, many of which feature frequently in his content. The "Vanoss Crew" have developed into some of the most recognizable gaming YouTubers on the platform, with the group collaborating on a selection of multiplayer games and producing merchandise that feature the group's logos and catchphrases.{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2023 |title=The Story of VanossGaming – The Legendary YouTube Gamer |url=https://nnn.ng/videodownload/the-story-of-vanossgaming-the-legendary-youtube-gamer/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230625212634/https://nnn.ng/videodownload/the-story-of-vanossgaming-the-legendary-youtube-gamer/ |archive-date=25 June 2023 |access-date=4 July 2023 |website=nnn.ng |publisher=NNN News Nigeria}}{{Cite news |last=Nambiar |first=Prerna |date=24 May 2021 |title=Ohmwrecker and H20 Delirious Twitter Drama Explored: Keemster's Video aims at Vanoss Crew |publisher=HITC |url=https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/05/24/ohmwrecker-h20-delirious-drama/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615200447/https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/05/24/ohmwrecker-h20-delirious-drama/ |archive-date=15 June 2023}} YouTubers that have appeared regularly in Fong's videos include Nogla, Mini Ladd, Terroriser, H2ODelirious, I AM WILDCAT, BasicallyIDoWrk, Moo, and Fourzer0seven.{{Efn|Corroborating sources:{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KCEAWFlPN8 |title=This game brought the Vanoss Crew back together |date=2 April 2023 |last=Nagle |first=David |language=en |publisher=Nogla |access-date=3 July 2023 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/2KCEAWFlPN8 |archive-date=3 July 2023 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |date=July 5, 2017 |title=GTA Online: Mobile Operations with Vanoss and Crew |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/1748koo9oa1411/GTA-Online-Weaponized-Vehicle-Missions-with-Vanoss-and-Crew |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230702160733/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/1748koo9oa1411/GTA-Online-Weaponized-Vehicle-Missions-with-Vanoss-and-Crew |archive-date=July 2, 2023 |access-date=3 July 2023 |publisher=Rockstar Games }}{{Cite news |last=Leeman |first=Zachary |date=2 November 2022 |title=Alpha Betas' Fledgling Voice Actors Were Intimidated By John DiMaggio's Legendary Voicework |work=Looper |publisher=Static Media |url=https://www.looper.com/1081928/alpha-betas-fledgling-voice-actors-were-intimidated-by-john-dimaggios-legendary-voicework/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204143411/https://www.looper.com/1081928/alpha-betas-fledgling-voice-actors-were-intimidated-by-john-dimaggios-legendary-voicework/ |archive-date=December 4, 2022}}{{Cite web |date=20 June 2017 |title=YouTube Favorite: H2ODelirious Gunrunning Funny Moments |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/25o24118133134/YouTube-Favorite-H2ODelirious-Gunrunning-Funny-Moments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714114525/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/25o24118133134/YouTube-Favorite-H2ODelirious-Gunrunning-Funny-Moments |archive-date=14 July 2023 |access-date=14 July 2023 |publisher=Rockstar Games}}}}

File:Tom Cassell Insomnia 63.jpg

Fong co-founded the entertainment studio and marketing firm 3Blackdot (stylized as 3BLACKDOT, or 3BD for short) in 2013 with fellow YouTubers Tom "Syndicate" Cassell and Adam "SeaNanners" Montoya.{{Cite news |last=Beresford |first=Trilby |date=April 1, 2021 |title=Digital Studio 3BlackDot Inks Deal With Management Firm BavaMedia (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/digital-studio-3blackdot-inks-deal-with-management-firm-bavamedia-exclusive-4158500/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624035416/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/digital/digital-studio-3blackdot-inks-deal-with-management-firm-bavamedia-exclusive-4158500/ |archive-date=June 24, 2023}} The studio has produced a selection of video games including Zombie Killer Squad, and the firm also matches advertisers with YouTubers through marketing and agency work.{{Cite web |last=Nutt |first=Christian |date=31 July 2014 |title=Startup puts YouTubers at its center, and that changes everything |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/startup-puts-youtubers-at-its-center-and-that-changes-everything |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131032751/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/startup-puts-youtubers-at-its-center-and-that-changes-everything |archive-date=31 January 2023 |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=Gamasutra |publisher=Informa PLC}} The production studio has worked on a variety of films, television programs and literature including co-financing and co-producing the critically acclaimed drama Queen & Slim and creating intellectual property for the New York Times best seller The Proudest Blue.{{Cite news |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=March 10, 2022 |title=New York Esports Giant Andbox Taps 3BlackDot, 51 Minds Vet Mitchell Lawrence Smith as CCO (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/andbox-overwatch-call-of-duty-league-esports-cco-mitchell-lawrence-smith-1235199857/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628141219/https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/andbox-overwatch-call-of-duty-league-esports-cco-mitchell-lawrence-smith-1235199857/ |archive-date=28 June 2023}}{{Cite web |title=3BLACKDOT Publishing |date=March 25, 2014 |url=https://www.3blackdot.com/publishing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628141414/https://www.3blackdot.com/publishing/ |archive-date=June 28, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |publisher=3BLACKDOT}} In 2017, the company was sold to the French online media company Webedia for "several tens of millions of Euros".{{Cite news |date=16 June 2017 |title=Webedia acquiert 3BlackDot aux Etats-Unis |language=fr |trans-title=Webedia acquires 3BlackDot in the United States |work=Les Echos |url=https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/medias/030387614473-webedia-acquiert-3blackdot-aux-etats-unis-2094868.php |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712134356/https://www.lesechos.fr/tech-medias/medias/030387614473-webedia-acquiert-3blackdot-aux-etats-unis-2094868.php |archive-date=12 July 2017}} The US$87 million valued company was sold again in 2022 to company CEO, Reginald Cash, making it one of the few black-owned media companies in America.{{Cite news |last=Coffee |first=Patrick |date=July 25, 2022 |title=CEO Buys 3BlackDot, Making It One of the Few Black-Owned Media Companies |work=The Wall Street Journal |publisher=Dow Jones & Company |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/ceo-buys-3blackdot-making-it-one-of-the-few-black-owned-media-companies-11658746801 |url-status=live |access-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829130652/https://www.wsj.com/articles/ceo-buys-3blackdot-making-it-one-of-the-few-black-owned-media-companies-11658746801 |archive-date=29 August 2022}}

Developed by Section Studios and published by 3Blackdot, Fong, Cassell and Montoya partnered on a video gamed entitled Dead Realm, a horror-style multiplayer PC game released via Steam as an early release on July 30, 2015;{{Cite press release |title=3BLACKDOT Releases Early Access STEAM Horror Mega-Hit 'Dead Realm' |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3blackdot-releases-early-access-steam-horror-mega-hit-dead-realm-300130852.html |website= |access-date=2015-11-22 |publisher=3BLACKDOT |archive-date=20 May 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520064916/https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3blackdot-releases-early-access-steam-horror-mega-hit-dead-realm-300130852.html |date=19 August 2015 |via=PR Newswire}} it was later fully released on May 25, 2017.{{Cite web |date=25 May 2017 |title=Official Launch |url=https://steamcommunity.com/games/352460/announcements/detail/1269299210358118168 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602195730/https://steamcommunity.com/games/352460/announcements/detail/1269299210358118168 |archive-date=2 June 2017 |access-date=9 August 2023 |publisher=3BLACKDOT |via=Steam}} Since the game was released, it has been reviewed over 4000 times on Steam, with a majority of the comments containing 'mixed' reviews. Whilst promoting the game on their respective YouTube channels, Fong, Cassell and Montoya did not disclose their financial ties with the video game, failing to comply with Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines.{{Cite web |last=Chalk |first=Andy |date=22 August 2015 |title=Dead Realm YouTubers' lack of disclosure may violate FTC regulations |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/dead-realm-youtubers-lack-of-disclosure-may-violate-ftc-regulations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230808133602/https://www.pcgamer.com/dead-realm-youtubers-lack-of-disclosure-may-violate-ftc-regulations/ |archive-date=8 August 2023 |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc}} Fong was the only promoter who made any attempt in disclosing his ties to 3Blackdot, mentioning in the text description of his first Dead Realm video: "We will also be releasing new ghost characters, human characters, and maps as time goes on...Thanks for all your support."{{Cite web |last=Wawro |first=Alex |date=19 August 2015 |title=Dead Realm publisher disregards FTC disclosure guidelines for YouTubers |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-dead-realm-i-publisher-disregards-ftc-disclosure-guidelines-for-youtubers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205080957/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-dead-realm-i-publisher-disregards-ftc-disclosure-guidelines-for-youtubers |archive-date=5 February 2023 |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=Gamasutra |publisher=Informa PLC}} According to Gamasutra (Game Developer since 2021) with input from an FTC representative, the statement "probably doesn't cut it" as it was not clear, conspicuous or upfront. On August 27, 2020, three years since its official release, 3Blackdot ended its support of the game, shutting down all of its servers and effectively discontinuing the game.{{Cite web |date=20 August 2020 |title=Dead Realm Game Closure Announcement |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/352460/view/2727446758944328805 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20230808140829/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/352460/view/2727446758944328805 |archive-date=August 8, 2023 |access-date=9 August 2023 |publisher=3BLACKDOT |via=Steam }}File:Brian Hanby portrait 2023.pngBetween 2016 and 2017, Fong partnered with Spanish game developer Social Point and his cofounded marketing agency 3Blackdot, to create the three-part animated series The Magic Tomato, to promote a mobile game developed by Social Point entitled Monster Legends.{{Cite web |title=From the 9th Annual Shorty Awards – The Magic Tomato |url=https://shortyawards.com/9th/the-magic-tomato |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724080315/https://shortyawards.com/9th/the-magic-tomato |archive-date=24 July 2021 |access-date=1 July 2023 |publisher=Shorty Awards}} It was a series designed to grow outside of the integration which indirectly increased in-game user activity and drive game downloads. The series featured Fong and co-creators H2ODelirious, Terroriser, I AM WILDCAT, Lui Calibre and sp00n. By engaging the collective audience of 40+ million at the time, the animated-series and partnership was deemed a success and was later entered into the 9th edition of the Shorty Awards under the gaming category.

Fong featured in an animated series entitled Paranormal Action Squad, written by Michael Rowe, it aired on YouTube Red (YouTube Premium since 2018), on November 24.{{cite news |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |date=2 November 2016 |title=YouTube Red Sets Adult Animated Comedy 'Paranormal Action Squad' Starring Vanoss, SeaNanners, Mr_Sark |language=en |website=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/youtube-red-paranormal-action-squad-vanoss-seananners-mrsark-1201907366/ |url-status=live |access-date=14 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520071954/https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/youtube-red-paranormal-action-squad-vanoss-seananners-mrsark-1201907366/ |archive-date=20 May 2023}} The eight-episode series follows the 'paranormal enthusiast' duo Paul (voiced by Montoya) and Eddie (Scott "Mr_Sark" Robison), as well as their owl-headed neighbor Vanoss (Fong) as they fight supernatural ghostly creatures. Bubbleblabber reviewer John Schwarz praised Fong and the cast's voice acting, but felt the show's overall premies was lost during the course of the series.{{Cite web |last=Schwarz |first=John |date=January 5, 2017 |title=Season Review: Paranormal Action Squad season one |url=https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2017/01/season-review-paranormal-action-squad-season-one/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705090545/https://www.bubbleblabber.com/2017/01/season-review-paranormal-action-squad-season-one/ |archive-date=5 July 2023 |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=Bubbleblabber}}

Fong, along with co-creators Brian "Terroriser" Hanby, Marcel "BasicallyIDoWrk" Cunningham and Tyler "I AM WILDCAT" Wine, produced and starred in an animated series entitled Alpha Betas.{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=25 June 2020 |title=Game On: Animated Alpha Betas Will Be Powered By YouTube Stars |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2020/06/alpha-betas-youtube-stars |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330231549/https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2020/06/alpha-betas-youtube-stars |archive-date=30 March 2023 |access-date=2020-12-24 |magazine=Vanity Fair |publisher=Condé Nast}} Premiering on March 13, 2021, on the VanossGaming YouTube channel,{{Cite web |last=Plante |first=Corey |date=10 March 2021 |title='Alpha Betas' release date, trailer, cast, characters, and story |url=https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/alpha-betas-release-date-trailer-cast-characters-story-rick-and-morty |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529080337/https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/alpha-betas-release-date-trailer-cast-characters-story-rick-and-morty |archive-date=29 May 2023 |access-date=July 21, 2021 |website=Inverse |language=en}} the show was created by Chris Bruno and David Howard Lee with production led by 3Blackdot and Starburns Industries. The series follows Alpha Team, a CIA-backed group of four gamers, Eddie, Tommy, Buck and Mason (voiced by Fong, Wine, Hanby and Cunningham respectively), as they play video games to keep the world in order through the world of gaming.{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=Brittany |date=Mar 16, 2021 |title='Alpha Betas' on YouTube Relies on Regressive "Gamer" Stereotypes To Power Its Meager Brand of Humor |work=Decider.com |publisher=News Corporation |url=https://decider.com/2021/03/16/alpha-betas-youtube-review/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520081809/https://decider.com/2021/03/16/alpha-betas-youtube-review/ |archive-date=20 May 2023}} The series also features John DiMaggio, Chris Parnell and Stephanie Beatriz in a variety of supporting roles.{{Cite web |title=Alpha Betas |url=https://www.3blackdot.com/projects/alpha-betas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120214136/https://www.3blackdot.com/projects/alpha-betas/ |archive-date=20 January 2022 |access-date=5 July 2023 |publisher=3BLACKDOT}} Following the premiere, 3Blackdot ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to fund the show, bringing in more than $1.3 million from over 8000 sponsors.

{{quote box

| quote = Rynx is one of the fast-rising artists coming out of Canada, and his tropical house track is the perfect summer tune, showcasing the artist's production and mixing talents across all genres.

| source = – British music magazine Wonderland discussing Rynx's popularity, referring to his single "Read My Mind" featuring Mainland as a "tropical house track".

| align = right

| width = 25%

}}

Fong co-founded the Los Angeles based record label and management company Avant Garden Records with Brittany Crawford and Azad Naficy.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=https://avantgardenrecords.com/pages/about-us |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326224828/https://avantgardenrecords.com/pages/about-us |archive-date=26 March 2023 |access-date=12 August 2023 |website=avantgardenrecords.com}} Under the pseudonym of Rynx, he joined Avant Garden as an artist specializing in downtempo, electronic dance music (EDM), and Indie electronic genres.{{Cite web |title=Rynx |url=https://avantgardenrecords.com/pages/rynx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503105005/https://avantgardenrecords.com/pages/rynx |archive-date=3 May 2023 |access-date=12 August 2023 |website=avantgardenrecords.com}}{{Cite web |last=Yeung |first=Neil |title=Rynx Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rynx-mn0003661073/biography |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327125842/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rynx-mn0003661073/biography |archive-date=27 March 2023 |access-date=12 August 2023 |publisher=AllMusic}} Fong released his first song on August 25, 2017, a remix of "U-Rite" by hip-hop group They (stylized as THEY.). He later released his debut single "Want You" featuring Miranda Glory on December 12.{{Cite web |last= |date=2017-12-18 |title=Rynx – Want You (feat. Miranda Glory) |url=https://www.edmsauce.com/2017/12/17/rynx-want-feat-miranda-glory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522051229/https://www.edmsauce.com/2017/12/17/rynx-want-feat-miranda-glory/ |archive-date=22 May 2023 |access-date=2022-01-14 |website=EDM Sauce |language=en-US}}

During 2018, Rynx released a selection of remixes including reworks of the Alison Wonderland song, “Cry”, and Gallant's "Doesn't Matter".{{Cite web |date=21 November 2018 |title=Rynx Covers Gallant's Doesn't Matter |url=https://www.edmsauce.com/2018/11/21/rynx-covers-gallants-doesnt-matter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207162547/https://www.edmsauce.com/2018/11/21/rynx-covers-gallants-doesnt-matter/ |archive-date=7 February 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=EDM Sauce}} In July, Fong released his second single "I'm Alright" featuring vocalist Jimi Ono; the electronic single was released with a nightclub-school themed music video.{{Cite web |date=2 July 2018 |title=Rynx – I'm Alright Feat. Jimi Ono (Official Music Video) |url=https://www.edmsauce.com/2018/07/02/rynx-im-alright-feat-jimi-ono-official-music-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613061807/https://www.edmsauce.com/2018/07/02/rynx-im-alright-feat-jimi-ono-official-music-video/ |archive-date=13 June 2023 |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=EDM Sauce}} The following year, Rynx produced five more singles including "Hold On" featuring They singer Drew Love,{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Robin |date=16 January 2019 |title=Rynx Collides With THEY. Star Drew Love On This Stellar New Single |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/rynx-collides-with-they-star-drew-love-on-this-stellar-new-single |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525052640/https://www.clashmusic.com/news/rynx-collides-with-they-star-drew-love-on-this-stellar-new-single/ |archive-date=25 May 2023 |access-date=2022-01-14 |website=Clash Magazine |publisher=Music Republic Ltd |language=en}} "Read My Mind" featuring Mainland (with an accompanying acoustic single),{{Cite web |date=2019-05-22 |title=Premiere: Rynx x Mainland – "Read My Mind" |url=https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2019/05/22/rynx-x-mainland-read-mind/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816002429/https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2019/05/22/rynx-x-mainland-read-mind/ |archive-date=16 August 2022 |access-date=2022-01-22 |website=Wonderland |language=en-GB}} "Club Poor" featuring Tiny Meat Gang, and "All for You" featuring Kiesza. Rynx was gaining a reputation as an artist who could pit "cutting edge hip-hop ideas against lucid electronics to create something startling, and absolutely new" according to Robin Murray from the British-based music magazine Clash. Fong released his debut studio album, In Pieces, on October 25, 2019 with a follow-up remix version on July 17, 2020.

Following a short hiatus, Fong returned to music production to release music under his real name, and released the single "Spawn!" in January 2025.{{Cite news |date=17 January 2025 |title=Evan Fong Explodes onto the Music Scene with Debut Single "Spawn!" |url=https://www.houseofsolo.co.uk/evan-fong-explodes-onto-the-music-scene-with-debut-single-spawn/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=evan-fong-explodes-onto-the-music-scene-with-debut-single-spawn&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=evan-fong-explodes-onto-the-music-scene-with-debut-single-spawn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117201645/https://www.houseofsolo.co.uk/evan-fong-explodes-onto-the-music-scene-with-debut-single-spawn/ |archive-date=17 January 2025 |access-date=17 January 2025 |work=House of Solo}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VTNJLW-46s |title=evan fong channel announcement (update / chill gameplay commentary) |date=15 January 2025 |last=Fong |first=Evan |type= |publisher=VanossGaming |access-date=17 January 2025 |archive-date= |url-status= |via=YouTube}}{{Cbignore}}

{{Updated|March 26, 2025}}{{cite web |last= |first= |title=VanossGaming videos – sorted by most popular |url=https://www.youtube.com/@VanossGaming/videos |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614025333/https://www.youtube.com/@VanossGaming/videos |archive-date=June 14, 2023 |access-date=26 March 2025 |publisher=YouTube |via= |url-status=live }}

File:Kiesza-3814.jpg partnered with Fong to produce the single "All for You" in 2019.]]

File:Alison Wonderland ARIA 2013 (2) (cropped).jpg's "Cry" in 2018.]]

• List of YouTubers
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• List of Korean Canadians
• List of people from Toronto
• List of people from Ontario
• Internet in Canada
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{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

In the text these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

{{Reflist|group="‡"}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{YouTube|user=VanossGaming|VanossGaming}}
• {{YouTube|user=VanossGamingExtras|VanossGamingExtras}}
• {{YouTube|Rynx|channel=UCsbTG6lBt0ZMJCsFoR-Rh9w}}
• {{IMDb name|id=8586283|name=Evan Fong}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Internet|Video games|Canada|Ontario}}

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Fong, Evan

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Category:Canadian gaming YouTubers

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Category:YouTube channels launched in 2011

Category:YouTube channels

Fong, Evan

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Category:YouTubers from Toronto

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