Today we’d like to introduce you to Ann Koonce.
Hi Ann, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my streaming journey in 2016 with a simple goal: to share my love of gaming and connect with people who enjoyed the same experiences I did. What started as a hobby quickly became something much more meaningful. Over the years, streaming has grown into a creative outlet, a place to build lasting friendships, and an opportunity to foster a community where everyone feels welcome—whether they’re longtime horror fans or discovering the genre for the first time.
As my channel evolved, I found myself drawn toward horror games and the incredible stories they tell. Today, you’ll usually find me exploring titles like Dead by Daylight, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Fatal Frame. While I love the excitement and chaos that comes with live gameplay, I’m equally passionate about diving deeper into the history, symbolism, game design, and emotional storytelling behind these games through podcasts, long-form videos, and educational content.
One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been becoming a member of Fogbound Crew, a group of creators brought together by a shared passion for horror gaming and collaboration. Through our weekly Fogbound Nights, community events, and collaborative streams, we’ve built something that goes beyond simply playing games together. It’s about supporting one another, creating memorable experiences for our communities, and proving that collaboration is one of the strongest ways creators can grow together.
My community has also become a place where I can use my platform to give back. As a cancer survivor, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of hope, resilience, and having people in your corner during life’s most difficult moments. That perspective has shaped the kind of creator I strive to be. Through charity livestreams and community tournaments, I’ve had the privilege of helping raise funds for organizations like Trans Lifeline, while creating inclusive events where people can come together around a shared love of gaming and make a positive impact beyond the screen. Those moments have reminded me that streaming isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about bringing people together for something bigger than ourselves.
Outside of streaming, I work professionally in network administration and teach game development at the college level. Both careers have shaped the way I approach content creation. My background in technology allows me to build custom automations, interactive livestream experiences, and technical solutions that enhance my broadcasts, while teaching has strengthened my passion for making complex topics approachable and helping others learn. Whether I’m explaining game design principles to students or discussing the symbolism behind a horror classic with my community, I love creating spaces where people can learn, ask questions, and share ideas.
When I’m not working or creating content, you’ll usually find me spending time with my four-legged and eight-legged family members. I’m a lifelong animal lover with dogs, cats, and a growing collection of jumping spiders and tarantulas that have become unexpected stars of the community. Whether it’s sharing stories about my pets, introducing viewers to the fascinating world of arachnids, or simply taking my dog Shadow out on a hike, I love bringing pieces of my everyday life into my content. Those moments help remind me—and my community—that even in a space centered around horror games, there’s always room for warmth, curiosity, and a few adorable surprises.
That passion for education extends into nearly everything I create. From developing horror-focused podcasts and video essays to mentoring new creators and helping fellow streamers with technology, branding, and production, I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned just as much as I enjoy creating content myself.
Looking back, my journey has never been about chasing numbers. It’s been about building something meaningful—a community where people can laugh, be themselves, celebrate their love of gaming, and leave every stream feeling like they found a place to belong. As I continue growing as a creator, educator, and collaborator, my goal remains the same as it was in 2016: to create experiences that inspire, entertain, educate, and bring people together.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like many streamers, I’ve also faced the ups and downs of content creation. There have been moments where growth slowed, algorithms changed, or I questioned whether I was making the right decisions. I’ve learned that success isn’t measured solely by follower counts or analytics. It’s measured by the friendships formed, the conversations shared, and the positive impact you can have on someone’s day.
There have also been technical hurdles along the way. With my background in IT, I’ve spent countless hours troubleshooting hardware, redesigning overlays, building custom automations, and refining the viewer experience. While those moments can be frustrating, they’ve also become part of what I love about creating content—there’s always something new to learn and improve.
Perhaps the most rewarding challenge has been learning to step outside my comfort zone. Whether it’s launching a horror podcast, organizing charity tournaments benefiting Trans Lifeline, collaborating with incredible creators through Fogbound Crew, or mentoring students and fellow streamers, each new opportunity has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I’m a horror content creator, educator, and technologist who loves bringing people together through games and storytelling.
My content primarily focuses on horror franchises like Dead by Daylight, Resident Evil, Silent Hill, and Fatal Frame, but I’ve always wanted to go beyond simply playing games. I enjoy exploring what makes these experiences memorable—the lore, symbolism, psychological themes, level design, music, and the real-world inspirations behind them. Through livestreams, podcasts, long-form videos, and community discussions, my goal is to help people appreciate horror games not just as entertainment, but as an incredible form of interactive storytelling.
Professionally, I work in network administration and teach game development at the college level, and those experiences naturally influence my content. I love sharing knowledge, whether I’m explaining game mechanics, discussing design philosophy, helping another creator solve a technical challenge, or mentoring students who are beginning their own careers in technology and game development. Education has become just as important to my creative journey as entertainment.
One area I’ve become especially passionate about is using technology to enhance the streaming experience. I enjoy building custom automations, designing interactive viewer experiences, creating overlays and graphics, and experimenting with new tools that make streams more engaging. I love finding creative ways to combine my technical background with my passion for content creation, constantly asking, “How can I make this experience even better for my community?”
I’m also incredibly proud of the community we’ve built over the years. Since beginning my streaming journey in 2016, I’ve tried to create an environment where people feel genuinely welcomed and valued. Through collaborations with Fogbound Crew, charity tournaments supporting organizations like Trans Lifeline, educational content, and countless late-night conversations with viewers, I’ve seen firsthand how gaming can bring people together in meaningful ways. Watching friendships form within the community is one of the greatest accomplishments I could ask for.
Outside of gaming, I proudly share another passion that’s become a fun part of my content—my love of animals. Whether it’s introducing viewers to my dogs, cats, or my collection of jumping spiders and tarantulas, I enjoy sharing pieces of my everyday life and encouraging curiosity about creatures that are often misunderstood. It’s another way I hope to create a welcoming, inclusive space where people can learn something new while having fun.
That passion for storytelling has also led me into writing. One of my newest creative endeavors is authoring a book—a project that has challenged me in entirely new ways and encouraged me to grow beyond livestreaming and video content. Writing has given me the opportunity to slow down, dive deeper into ideas, and craft experiences that can connect with people in a different way. Much like streaming and teaching, it’s another outlet where I can combine creativity, research, and a genuine love of sharing stories. While it’s still a journey, seeing that project come to life has been one of the most exciting and rewarding milestones in my creative career.
If there’s one thing that sets me apart, it’s that I don’t see streaming as just playing games. I see it as an opportunity to educate, create, collaborate, and build lasting relationships. My background in IT and education, combined with my passion for horror, technology, and community-building, allows me to approach content from a unique perspective. Whether someone joins my stream to learn about the symbolism behind a Silent Hill monster, laugh during a chaotic Dead by Daylight match, meet one of my spiders, or simply unwind after a long day, I want them to leave feeling like they experienced something meaningful.
More than anything, I’m proud that after nearly a decade of streaming, I’ve stayed true to why I started: to create a place where people can share their love of gaming, continue learning, and know they have a community that’s always happy to welcome them home.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that networking isn’t about collecting contacts—it’s about building genuine relationships. The best opportunities in my career and creative journey have come from investing in people, supporting others, and being willing to learn.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have an amazing mentor whose guidance has had a lasting impact on both my professional and personal growth. They challenged me to think differently, encouraged me to keep learning, and showed me that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being willing to grow, adapt, and help others succeed. Having someone who believed in my potential and pushed me outside of my comfort zone made a tremendous difference in my journey.
That experience has shaped how I approach mentorship today. I believe the best mentor relationships happen naturally. Instead of asking, “What can this person do for me?” I encourage people to ask, “What can I learn from them, and how can I contribute?” Be curious, ask thoughtful questions, follow through on your commitments, and don’t be afraid to ask for advice. Most experienced professionals and creators genuinely enjoy helping people who are eager to learn.
The same philosophy applies to networking. Some of my closest friendships and strongest collaborations—including working with incredible creators through Fogbound Crew—started simply by showing up consistently, supporting others, and being an active member of the community long before asking for anything in return. Authenticity goes much further than self-promotion.
I’d also encourage people to embrace opportunities outside of their comfort zone. Attend conventions, join online communities, volunteer, participate in collaborative events, or simply introduce yourself to someone whose work you admire. You never know which conversation could lead to a lifelong friendship, a creative collaboration, or even a career opportunity.
As both a college instructor and a content creator, I’ve come to realize that mentorship isn’t something that only flows one direction. I learn just as much from my students, fellow creators, and community members as they might learn from me. Staying humble, remaining curious, and remembering that everyone has something valuable to teach has been one of the greatest keys to my growth.
If I could leave one piece of advice, it would be this: focus on building relationships, not transactions. Skills can be taught, technology will continue to change, but trust, kindness, and authenticity are what people remember. Those qualities have opened more doors for me than any résumé or follower count ever could.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kilanaann.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annkilana/
- Twitter: https://x.com/KilanaAnn
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KilanaAnn
- Other: https://twitch.tv/kilanaann
