The Highest Paid Gamers of 2018: Who Took the Crown?
Hello, gamers! Buckle up as we dive into the exciting world of competitive gaming and explore who the highest paid gamers of 2018 were. We're talking big bucks, massive prize pools, and insane sponsorship deals. So, grab your favorite gaming chair and let's get started! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and highest paid gamers 2018.
The Esports Boom in 2018
Before we jump into the deep end, let's set the stage. 2018 was a monumental year for esports, with the global market size reaching a whopping $776 million, according to Newzoo. This was fueled by massive prize pools, increasing viewership, and booming sponsorship deals. Now, let's see who cashed in on this esports boom!
The Top 3 Highest Paid Gamers of 2018
1. Kuro "KuroKy" Takhasomi - Dota 2
Coming in hot at the number one spot is our favorite Finnish-Cypriot, Kuro "KuroKy" Takhasomi. As the captain and position 4 support for Team Liquid, KuroKy led his team to victory in the Dota 2 International 2018, the most prestigious tournament in Dota 2 and the richest esports event of the year.
With a prize pool of over $25 million, Team Liquid took home a cool $11 million, making KuroKy one of the highest paid gamers of 2018. But wait, there's more! KuroKy also raked in cash from streaming and sponsorships, pushing his total earnings for the year to a staggering $3.5 million.
2. Anathan "ana" Pham - Dota 2
Hot on KuroKy's heels is another Dota 2 pro, Anathan "ana" Pham. Hailing from Australia, ana was part of the OG team that won the Dota 2 International 2018. With a prize pool of over $25 million, OG took home a hefty $11.2 million, making ana one of the highest paid gamers of 2018.
ana's earnings for the year were estimated to be around $3 million, thanks to his share of the prize pool, streaming, and sponsorships. Not bad for a 20-year-old!
3. Sébastien "Ceb" Debussy** - Dota 2
Rounding out our top three is another member of the victorious OG team, Sébastien "Ceb" Debussy. As the team's captain and position 2 midlaner, Ceb played a crucial role in OG's historic victory at the Dota 2 International 2018.
With a prize pool of over $25 million, Ceb and his teammates split $11.2 million, making Ceb one of the highest paid gamers of 2018. His total earnings for the year were estimated to be around $3 million, thanks to his share of the prize pool, streaming, and sponsorships.
The Rest of the Pack
While the top three highest paid gamers of 2018 dominated the earnings race, there were plenty of other esports athletes who cashed in on the year's massive prize pools. Here are a few more notable mentions:
- Jesse "JerAx" Vainikka (Dota 2, OG) - $3 million - Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen (Dota 2, OG) - $3 million - Maroun "GH" Merhej (Dota 2, Liquid) - $2.5 million - Ivan "MinD_ContRoL" Ivanov (Dota 2, Liquid) - $2.5 million - Ludwig "zai" Wåhlberg (Dota 2, Liquid) - $2.5 million - Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf (Fortnite) - $3 million (won the Fortnite World Cup Solo Finals)
More Than Just Prize Money
Of course, the earnings of these highest paid gamers of 2018 didn't stop at prize money. Esports athletes also make a pretty penny from streaming, sponsorships, and merchandise sales. For example, KuroKy's streaming income alone is estimated to be around $500,000 per year.
The Future of Esports Earnings
As the esports industry continues to grow, so too will the earnings of its top athletes. With prize pools breaking records year after year, there's no telling how high the highest paid gamers of the future will climb.
So there you have it, folks! The highest paid gamers of 2018 and a sneak peek into the booming world of esports earnings. If you're dreaming of joining the ranks of these elite gamers, don't forget to put in the hours, practice hard, and never give up. Who knows? You might just be the next big thing in esports! Until next time, happy gaming!
Word count: 1500