Who Said Gaming Is A Waste Of Time?
It's not just athletes who make millions from sports. Competitive gaming, also known as esports, is also an incredibly popular and money-making profession. Kids as young as 16 have made millions winning game tournaments, putting their strategy, leadership, endurance, and communication skills to the ultimate test. A successful stretch of tournaments may even enable them to retire in their 30s, just like professional athletes. Here are 20 people who have made millions playing esports.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
1. N0tail
N0tail is a Danish esports player specializing in Dota 2. His exceptional leadership and strategy skills earned him a place on Forbes' "30 Under 30" list and over $7 million.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
2. JerAx
JerAx is a Finnish esports player best known for winning The International in 2018 and 2019. He's earned $6.5 million playing Dota 2.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
3. ana
ana started his career as an esports player when he dropped out of high school to move to Shanghai and play as a substitute, joining Invictus Gaming in 2016. The 25-year-old player has already earned over $6 million playing Dota 2.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
4. Ceb
Ceb is a French esports player best known for his Dota 2 gameplay. He won The International with team OG in 2018 and 2019. He's now retired at age 32 after earning almost $6 million, but makes occasional appearances at certain events and tournaments.
5. Topson
Topson is a Finnish esports player who initially started playing Defense of the Ancients at the age of eight and has since earned almost $6 million. His first big achievement came in 2017, when he joined the Russian esports organization, SFT. He also played as part of OG in the 2018 The International, helping the team take home $11 million in prize money.
The International 2018 on Wikimedia
6. Miposhka
Yet another player who has found massive success playing Dota 2, Miposhka is a Russian esports player who has earned over $5.6 million. He started out playing for Yellow Submarine in 2015, then cycled through two other teams, honing his skills before returning to his initial team, with whom he secured two The International victories.
7. Yatoro
Yatoro is a Ukrainian Dota 2 player who plays with Team Spirit (formerly Yellow Submarine). He's known for being an insanely skilled and versatile player, taking everyone by surprise when he switched between 14 different heroes across 20 games at The International 10. He's earned $5.4 million.
8. Collapse
Collapse made his foray into professional Dota 2 gaming when he was invited to play with the team Cascade. His skill was quickly noticed by the coach of Yellow Submarine, who scouted him to play alongside the likes of Yatoro and Miposhka. His achievements in gaming have earned him $5.4 million.
Paragon Events Dota 2 on Wikimedia
9. Mira
Yet another member of Team Spirit (previously Yellow Submarine) who has seen significant success playing Dota 2 is Ukrainian player Mira. He played a key part in the team's 2021 and 2023 The International victories and has earned $5.4 million.
10. KuroKy
KuroKy is a German esports player who started playing Dota 2 professionally at The International 2011. He won The International in 2017 as part of Team Liquid. He's taken home about $5.3 million through his gaming achievements.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
11. Miracle-
Another member of Team Liquid who played a pivotal role in the team's 2017 The International victory is Polish-Jordanian player Miracle-. He made his foray into playing Dota 2 professionally when he became the highest-ranked player in 2015, quickly earning him a sponsorship deal. He has earned over $4.9 million as an esports player.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
12. Matumbaman
Matumbaman is a Finnish esports player who put himself on the map when he won the Assembly Summer 2014 LAN tournament with the team Veni, Vidi, Vici. He dominated the scene as part of Team Liquid until 2016. He's earned around $4.9 million through gaming.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
13. MinD_ContRoL
MinD_ContRoL is a Bulgarian esports player who started out playing with team Vast Cast in 2014 before eventually joining Team Liquid, carrying them to victory at the 2017 The International. He's earned over $4.7 million.
14. TORONTOTOKYO
TORONTOTOKYO is a Russian esports player who plays for Aurora Gaming. He's ranked 36 in the Americas leaderboard and has earned over $4.4 million.
15. GH
GH is a Lebanese professional Dota 2 player who gained recognition when he won MSI BEAT IT 2014 Middle Eastern Qualifiers as part of Wired Gaming. He joined Team Liquid in 2017, vastly improving their results, helping the team dominate the Dota 2 scene, and taking home The International victory that year. He's earned over $4.3 million.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
16. Puppey
Puppey is an Estonian professional Dota 2 player. After an undefeated debut season with the team Natus Vincere in 2011, he became the team's captain before leaving to form Team Secret in 2014. He has earned upwards of $4.3 million playing in tournaments.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
17. Zai
Zai is a Swedish Dota 2 player who made a name for himself when he won DreamHoN 2012 at the age of 14. He's finished in the top four at The International five times and has earned almost $4.3 million.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
18. Ame
Ame is a Chinese Dota 2 gamer who has the highest earnings out of any non-The International winner. He's earned over $4.2 million and currently plays for Xtreme Gaming.
19. SumaiL
A young prodigy, SumaiL started playing Dota 2 at the age of eight. At age 16, he was the youngest player ever to surpass $1 million in esports earnings when he won the International 2015 championship as part of team EG. He has earned a total of $4.1 million.
Dota 2 The International on Wikimedia
20. y'
y' is a Chinese Dota 2 gamer who's earned a total of $4 million. He's the all-time leader in professional matches played by Elder Titan and currently plays for Team Tidebound.
