Madiun, JurnalPost.com — The journey to becoming a content creator does not always begin with expensive equipment and a professional studio. This was the experience of Rian Nugroho, a creator from Madiun better known by his handle Cikibul on TikTok.
The 2000-born creator began his serious pursuit of content creation in 2022. Starting with simple content centered around the game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), Cikibul gradually built a community and became widely recognized as a gaming creator and streamer.
According to his TikTok profile @cikibulmecca , Cikibul's account has amassed approximately 1.3 million followers and garnered over 29 million likes. Many of his videos have also reached hundreds of thousands to millions of views.
However, this journey was not instantaneous. Rian admits that in the early days, the equipment he used was very modest. One item that became a part of his early journey was a mirror, which helped him create content and conduct live streams.
“I really started from scratch; I even used a mirror as my main tool. I took it slow until I was finally able to grow to where I am now,” Rian said during an interview on Thursday (10/1/2026).
According to Rian, the first content he seriously focused on was Mobile Legends. He saw the game not just as entertainment, but as having significant potential to be developed into engaging content for viewers.
Early on, the response from his environment was not always positive. He admitted that he was often underestimated and told that he would not achieve any meaningful results from his work as a content creator.
“Back then, many people didn't believe in me, and some even belittled me. Only after I started seeing results did people take notice and show appreciation,” he said.
Responding to Negative Comments with Positivity
As a creator with a large following, Cikibul is not immune to negative comments. However, he chooses not to respond to such remarks with emotion.
He believes that fighting negativity with more negativity only serves to escalate the situation.
“If there are negative comments, I try to respond with positivity. Because if you fight negativity with negativity, things just get heated. So, I try my best to steer things in a positive direction,” he explained.
In addition to playing Mobile Legends, Cikibul is known for incorporating entertainment elements into his live streams and content. One such method is cosplay , using character costumes designed to provide a unique experience for his audience.
He stated that using these costumes is essentially part of his effort to entertain the community that follows his content.
“Cosplay is meant to entertain the viewers. It’s not just about playing the game; it’s about ensuring that when I’m live, the audience feels entertained and wants to stay,” he explained.
In several shared documentations, Cikibul is seen wearing game-inspired costumes complete with armor, masks, and accessories. This concept has since become one of the hallmarks of the entertainment he brings to his gaming content.
Family as the Motivation for Consistency
Behind his consistency in creating content, Rian cites his family as one of his greatest motivations. He began his career after getting married and now relies on it as a source of income to support his family's needs.
“What keeps me motivated is that I am the breadwinner for my family. I started this after I got married, and it turns out that one of the blessings after marriage was finding success as an MLBB content creator,” he revealed.
The journey that began with simple equipment eventually led him to greater achievements. Rian noted that in 2025, he successfully achieved third place in a TikTok category, which subsequently earned him the opportunity to participate in the TikTok LIVE Fest in Thailand.
This achievement stands as one of his most memorable experiences after years of building his account from the ground up.
“From starting with simple tools to finally achieving success on TikTok and getting the chance to fly to Thailand, I am truly grateful. I never imagined I could make it this far,” he said.
For Rian, success as a creator is not just about the number of followers or viewers. He hopes his journey can serve as motivation for others, especially those struggling to find employment.
“My hope is that this can be a motivation for friends who might not have a job yet. Today, the world of gaming content creation, including MLBB, offers real opportunities. If you are serious, consistent, and willing to learn, there is a chance to earn an income here,” he said.
He believes that becoming a content creator still requires a long process. Creators must not only play the game but also understand how to entertain the audience, build interaction, maintain consistency, and find a unique persona that distinguishes them from other creators.
Cikibul's journey from simple content with basic equipment to having over a million followers shows that the digital creator industry is open to anyone. For Rian, the journey continues with one simple principle: keep entertaining the audience while providing value through the content created.
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