Prime Video Confirms Renewal of MrBeast’s Notorious Game Show Beast Games for Two More Seasons
In spite of a class-action lawsuit and increasing backlash regarding production conditions, Prime Video has officially renewed Beast Games, the high-stakes reality competition series created by YouTube sensation Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, for two extra seasons.
The show, heavily inspired by Netflix’s Squid Game, debuted in December and rapidly became Amazon’s most-viewed unscripted series, claiming around 50 million viewers in its initial month. Season 1 showcased 1,000 contestants engaging in complex challenges for a growing cash prize that ultimately soared to $10 million.
“Y’ALL ARE NOT PREPARED FOR THE EXCITING STUFF WE HAVE LINED UP,” Donaldson teased in a post on X (formerly Twitter), hinting at even grander plans for the forthcoming seasons.
Donaldson also commented on the financial burden of producing the first season, which reportedly exceeded $100 million, leading to personal losses of “tens of millions” of dollars. In a response to a fan on X, he humorously remarked, “Going bigger is my forte, [going bankrupt is] the least of my worries haha. Yeah ideally don’t lose 8 figures though.”
Claims of Unsafe Conditions and Contestant Abuse
While Beast Games has thrived as a streaming phenomenon, it has also been engulfed in controversy. Production for the first season, which commenced in Las Vegas last July, suffered from reports of hazardous conditions. A report by Vital Vegas indicated that multiple contestants and at least one staff member reported insufficient access to food and water, with a source from a local hospital suggesting that “countless” participants received medical attention.
A representative for MrBeast countered these assertions, claiming that only three medical incidents took place—two unrelated to the production and one due to dehydration.
Nevertheless, a following investigation by The New York Times uncovered more concerning allegations. Contestants stated they experienced physical injuries, were deprived of adequate medical care, and were refused access to necessary medications. Some participants also indicated that they were not given basic necessities such as underwear during menstruation. Others expressed that they were misled regarding contestant numbers, anticipating 1,000 but facing 2,000 upon arrival—effectively halving their chances of winning. Only 1,000 of those participants ultimately appeared in the final Prime Video series, while the remainder was featured solely in a promotional video on Donaldson’s YouTube channel.
A MrBeast spokesperson attributed the logistical challenges to extreme weather, communication failures, and the global CrowdStrike tech outage, stating that the team is “currently reviewing” the issues.
Contestants Launch Lawsuit Against MrBeast and Amazon
In September, multiple former contestants initiated a class-action lawsuit in California against MrBeast’s production company and Amazon. The lawsuit alleges a broad array of offenses, including not paying minimum wage or overtime, denying meal and rest breaks, sexual harassment, emotional distress, unfair business practices, and false advertising. The complaint describes the production as “so devoid of humane standards” that the crew allegedly offered to fund contestants’ therapy.
The show’s concept itself has also faced criticism. Designed after the dystopian Squid Game, which critiques the exploitation of the poor for entertainment, Beast Games has been accused of mirroring that cruelty in reality. Given the influence, it’s perhaps unsurprising that many contestants reportedly had a traumatic experience.
Despite the negative feedback, Amazon seems unfazed, reinforcing the franchise with two additional seasons already planned. Whether the upcoming episodes will address the raised concerns remains to be seen.