{{Short description|American Twitch streamer and YouTuber}} {{redirect|Brett Hoffman|the American death metal vocalist|Bret Hoffmann}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}} {{lowercase title}} {{Infobox streamer | name = dakotaz | birth_name = Brett Hoffman | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|07|13}} | birth_place = Dearborn, Michigan, U.S. | twitch_handle = dakotaz | twitch_display_name = | twitch_years_active = 2013–present | twitch_genre = | twitch_game = {{flatlist| * ''Fortnite: Battle Royale'' * ''Among Us'' * ''Valorant'' }} | twitch_followers = 4.7 million | youtube_handle = Dakotaz | youtube_display_name = | youtube_years_active = 2013–present | youtube_genre = | youtube_subscribers = 2.74 million | youtube_views = 295 million | stats_update = May 7, 2024 }}
'''Brett Hoffman''' (born July 13, 1986), better known as '''dakotaz''', is an American Twitch streamer and YouTuber from Dearborn, Michigan who plays ''Fortnite: Battle Royale'' as well as other titles. While he has streamed other games in the past, including ''Fortnite'' almost exclusively, he now plays a variety including ''Valorant''. He also uses the tag '''"Dark"''', or the abbreviated '''"DK"'''.
==Career== Hoffman began streaming ''The War Z'' then called ''Infestation: Survivor Stories''. He later moved on to ''H1Z1'' and ''PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds''. Hoffman created his YouTube channel in January 2013.
Hoffman's channels grew exponentially after the release of ''Fortnite'' and credits his gameplay and personality for his growth in popularity.<ref name="dote_Dako">{{Cite web|author=Çakır|first=Gökhan|date=June 18, 2020|title=Dakotaz streaming setup: Headset, microphone, keyboard, and more|url=https://dotesports.com/hardware/news/dakotaz-streaming-setup-headset-microphone-keyboard-and-more|url-status=live|access-date=August 23, 2020|work=Dot Esports|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619021900/https://dotesports.com/hardware/news/dakotaz-streaming-setup-headset-microphone-keyboard-and-more |archive-date=June 19, 2020 }}</ref> He joined Team SoloMid (TSM) in January 2018 and left the team one year later, he is currently signed with Loaded. He first showed his face in 2018 after hitting one million subscribers. By the end of 2018, he was the sixth most viewed channel on Twitch with 50 million views.<ref name="dail_Here">{{Cite web|author=Katzowitz|first=Josh|date=December 31, 2018|title=Here's just how ridiculously popular Ninja is on Twitch|url=https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/ninja-twitch-watch-hours/|url-status=live|access-date=August 23, 2020|work=The Daily Dot|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101002112/https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/ninja-twitch-watch-hours/ |archive-date=January 1, 2019 }}</ref>
In 2020, Hoffman raised $21,000 for Australian Fire Relief.<ref name="ign._Twit">{{Cite web|author=Gallaway|first=Lauren|date=January 12, 2020|title=Twitch Streamers Raise Over $200K for Australian Fire Relief|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/twitch-streamers-raise-over-200k-for-australian-fire-relief|url-status=live|access-date=August 23, 2020|work=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113104459/https://www.ign.com/articles/twitch-streamers-raise-over-200k-for-australian-fire-relief |archive-date=January 13, 2020 }}</ref> Later that year he renewed his sponsorship with Twitch.<ref name="wash_Popu">{{Cite news|author=Smith|first=Noah|date=May 26, 2020|title=Popular streamers Summit1G, Dakotaz and JoshOG re-sign with Twitch|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/05/26/popular-streamers-summit1g-dakotaz-joshog-re-sign-with-twitch/|url-status=live|access-date=August 23, 2020|newspaper=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526235105/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/05/26/popular-streamers-summit1g-dakotaz-joshog-re-sign-with-twitch/ |archive-date=May 26, 2020 }}</ref> He said he would be showing his face more often than he did in the past.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/dakotaz-explains-why-hell-be-showing-his-face-more-on-stream-1309561/ | title=Dakotaz explains why he'll be showing his face more on stream | date=January 7, 2020 }}</ref>
Presently, he is known for his streams of ''Fortnite'' and ''Among Us''.
==Personal life== <ref>{{Cite web|date=November 5, 2018|title=dakotaz twitter status|url=https://twitter.com/dakotaz/status/1059637610539372545|url-status=live|access-date=July 14, 2021|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714055231/https://twitter.com/dakotaz/status/1059637610539372545 |archive-date=July 14, 2021 }}</ref> He has a twin brother who also streams ''Fortnite'' under the alias Hofmvn. Hoffman currently lives in Orlando, Florida.
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{twitch|dakotaz}}
Category:1986 births Category:American esports players Category:Living people Category:Fortnite players Category:American Twitch (service) streamers Category:Sportspeople from Dearborn, Michigan