In 2021, $240 million was up for grabs across 5,100 global tournaments. Suffice it to say professional gamers are making good money as prize money is rising each year. Things don’t look like they’re slowing down any time soon, either. Viewership is booming, and sponsorships are aplenty.
9 Players Making Their Mark
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein
The highest-earning e-sports player in the world, Johan Sunstein, made his fortune through tournaments, endorsement deals, advertisements, sponsorships, and more. He’s taken upwards of $7.4 million to date and captained his Dota 2 team to an unbelievable finish at The International 8. He’s become a big name in the e-sports market and ranks as one of the most famous players worldwide.
Kyle “Bugha” Giersdorf
When he was 16, Kyle Giersdorf won the first Fortnite World Cup, beating 99 other gamers. The victory was the catalyst for his stardom. Aside from winning a cool $3 million in that tournament, he found his way onto national television and grew a substantial following on Instagram and Twitch. He’s always been a fan of streaming, so he thinks he’ll keep at it.
Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen
Born in 1993 in Denmark, Peter ”Dupreeh” Rasmussen will always have a place in CS:GO fans’ hearts. He is one of the most consistent players of the game, exhibiting zen and experience wherever he goes. He played for Astralis and moved on to Vitality, his new team. Holding the record as the first player to surpass career earnings of $2 million, Rasmussen is a man to watch.
Ian “C6” Porter
People credit Ian “C6” Porter as a talented Call of Duty player. Boasting unique strategies, he is famous for seamlessly switching tactics when the game calls for it. Word through the grapevine says that he shortened his gamer ID so it would be harder to track through smoke and bushes. He’s played with Evil Geniuses and Optic Gaming in the past but is now a part of the New York Subliners.
Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok
Faker led SKT1 to not one, not two, but three League of Legends World Championships. He is a powerhouse of South Korean gaming. It’s no wonder he’s seen as a god of LoL, receiving international recognition from all corners. Throughout his career, he’s made more than $1.4 million.
People widely see Zhu Bocheng as a player who can aim like none other. He shot to fame through international tournaments, namely the PUBG Mobile Club Open Spring Split 2020 and PeaceKeeper Elite Championship held in 2019. Born in 2002 in China, he plays for Nova Esports (Peacekeeper Elite League) and competes in a tournament series for Game of Peace, a china rebrand of PUBG Mobile.
Peng “Fly” Yunfei
Fly calls Chongqing his hometown and never thought he’d be where he is today. Although he dropped out of middle school, he later led QGhappy, his club, to five championships in China’s top mobile e-sports event, King Pro League. His life now is a far cry from where he was just a few years ago, working in a restaurant in Shanghai.
Joona “Serral” Sotala
Joona Sotala started playing at a very young age, following in his brother’s footsteps. He is a master at StarCraft II and won his premier tournament, Insomnia XV, at the age of 15. Serral is the only player that doesn’t hail from South Korea to have two Triple Crowns. His country also recognizes his efforts, rewarding him with a plot of land and many awards.
Dominique “SonicFox” McLean
McLean has a trademark look, a furry blue fox hat, which ties in with his name SonicFox. He got hooked on the gaming world when he was 13, taking part in an offline tournament. He has a good head on his shoulders, too, studying at NYIT under a generous scholarship. Being a computer science major, he aims to produce his own games one day.
Gaming: A Valid Career Choice
Parents might feel annoyed that their kids are spending all their free time playing games. If they knew the world’s current trajectory, they might decide to bite their tongue.