Gaming has never been more popular. Players around the world regularly compete for fun and to earn money. Though the gaming industry has plateaued since its recent boom, it’s not likely to relinquish its hold on the entertainment sector anytime soon. In other words, whether playing competitively or casually, the gaming world has been activated.
Casual games are the more recent champion of the industry. In terms of revenue and use, they’re the most common type of game. Most players gravitate toward match threes, puzzles, and relaxing side-scrollers. But there’s also a vibrant and highly competitive world of eSports.
Gamers who refine and build up their skills in competitive games might even be able to make a living from their exploits. In fact, there are a variety of ways to make a living in the world of eSports, from coaching to organizing to managing teams. But what about career-level gamers?
Let’s take a closer look at which types of games can earn professional players a noteworthy amount. Before we discuss the most popular digital games, we’re going to discuss two of the first games to see competitive organization at a global level.
Poker
Starting off in the 1970s, poker went pro thanks to the World Series of Poker. This live event promised poker buffs the chance to win big and put their names on the map. Today, online poker is the preferred format—and it spans the globe, just like any eSports league does.
Professional players can learn the ropes online before competing in live and online tournaments. Just like back in the 70s, they’re looking for a chance to enter the World Series of Poker and newer events like the European Poker Tour. The world’s best players are typically ranked by earnings or else by their finishes at major tournaments.
Chess
Similar to poker, chess has been a go-to game of skill for brainy gamers for decades. Today, top players might be motivated by the desire to earn the level of Grandmaster just as much as they’re motivated by earnings. In fact, some of the world’s top chess players are celebrities in their own right.
Professional chess players make a living by competing for tournament prizes. However, they can also earn by representing clubs—very similar to an eSports team or brand. Another popular way for pro chess players to earn money is by coaching others.
CS: GO
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is 2024’s highest-paying eSport. This year, players will have a chance to compete in hundreds of tournaments and events. The highest-viewed event this year drew in 1.8 million concurrent viewers—which is still less than League of Legends or Valorant.
There’s a gap between the highest-viewed games and the highest-paying games. CS: GO players have fought for a prize pool of $7.3 million this year, compared to prize pools of just $2.75 million and $2.6 million for LoL and Valorant, respectively.
Dota 2
Once again, you might be surprised to learn that Dota 2 is the highest-paid MOBA game in the eSports world—not Valorant or LoL. This year, players have fought for $6.9 million in earnings—hot on the tail of CS: GO.
Clearly, there’s plenty of room for growth for career-level Dota 2 competitors. But why is that—especially with Dota 2’s smaller number of viewers? The answer revolves around The International tournament. To boost interest, Valve releases a compendium that players can purchase to unlock new missions and experiences. Funds from this feed directly into The International’s prize pool.
Honor of Kings
Above, we outlined the rise of mobile gaming. For the most part, mobile games of skill haven’t evolved into fully-fledged leagues. However, there are a few notable exceptions that are starting to earn more viewers and larger prize pools. Honor of Kings is a mobile MOBA from China that has taken a huge bite out of mobile gaming’s MOBA fans.
Though viewership remains low compared to other games listed here, there’s a growing number of leagues for players to target. Plus, the prize pool for this year is already over $3.1 million.