In the world of social media influencers, few niches have seen the explosive growth and passionate community engagement of gaming. Whether they‘re streaming the latest battle royale title, speedrunning a classic platformer, or building their dream world in a sandbox game, the top gaming creators on YouTube have developed massive, highly loyal audiences who tune in daily for their mix of exceptional skill, entertaining commentary, and relatability.
The numbers speak for themselves. According to recent reports, the global gaming video content (GVC) audience is expected to surpass 1.3 billion viewers by the end of 2025. In Q1 2022 alone, Twitch racked up 9.36 billion hours watched (up 7% from the previous quarter), while YouTube Gaming and Facebook Gaming saw 1.13 billion (up 1.2%) and 1.29 billion (up 3%) hours watched respectively.
For brands, the growth of GVC presents a major opportunity to connect with a valuable and engaged audience through influencer partnerships. A 2022 study from Influencer Marketing Hub found that 48% of marketers plan to invest more in gaming influencer activations over the next 12 months. The key is identifying the right gaming creators who resonate with your brand and target audience.
To help you get started, we‘ve compiled a list of 21 of the biggest gaming influencers on YouTube in 2023. These creators represent a diverse mix of gaming genres, personalities, and content styles, but they all have one thing in common: a highly engaged community that tunes in regularly for their unique blend of entertainment and gaming expertise.
1. PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg) – 111M subscribers
The name synonymous with YouTube gaming, PewDiePie has been the most subscribed individual YouTuber for years. Known for his Let‘s Play videos, meme reviews, and signature sense of humor, the Swedish gamer remains one of the most influential figures in gaming and online culture. PewDiePie‘s loyal fanbase (known as the "Bro Army") tunes in for his irreverent commentary on trending games and topics.
2. Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) – 33.5M subscribers
One of the most prolific and consistently popular gaming YouTubers, Markiplier built his following with entertaining playthroughs of horror games and indie titles. He‘s since expanded into sketch comedy, philanthropy, and even a high-profile YouTube Original interactive series. Markiplier‘s emotive reactions and engaging persona have made him a favorite among viewers.
3. Jacksepticeye (Seán McLoughlin) – 28.4M subscribers
This energetic Irish gamer is known for his over-the-top reactions and colorful on-screen personality. Like Markiplier, Jacksepticeye rose to fame mainly playing scary and survival games, developing a reputation as YouTube gaming‘s "most positive" star. His channel is a go-to destination for fans of horror game Let‘s Plays and VR content.
4. Dream – 30.5M subscribers
One of the breakout gaming stars of 2020-21, Dream has quickly become the face of Minecraft on YouTube. Best known for his wildly-popular speedrunning videos and Minecraft Manhunt series, Dream has mastered the art of highly entertaining (and highly clickable) gaming content. His faceless persona and engaging community posts have only added to his mystique and appeal.
5. Technoblade (Alex) – 13.1M subscribers
Another titan of the Minecraft community, Technoblade was renowned for his humorous and entertaining Minecraft videos, particularly his PVP and skywars content. Sadly, he passed away from cancer in 2022 at the age of 23. His channel remains one of the most popular Minecraft destinations on YouTube, with a highly engaged community of fans who remember him for his warm persona and gaming skills.
6. Fernanfloo (Luis Fernando Flores) – 44.6M subscribers
This Salvadoran YouTuber is one of the most popular Spanish-speaking influencers in the world, with a gaming channel that features a mix of playthroughs, skits, and vlogs. His animated avatar and wacky sense of humor have struck a chord with his millions of fans, who appreciate his family-friendly and relatable approach to gaming content.
7. elrubiusOMG (Rubén Doblas Gundersen) – 40.1M subscribers
Another massive Spanish-language gaming star, ElrubiusOMG is known for his variety of gaming content, from Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto to Among Us and Fortnite. Like Fernanfloo, his channel also features a heavy dose of comedy and vlogging content. ElrubiusOMG‘s energetic and positive persona has made him a major draw for Spanish-speaking viewers.
8. Ninja (Richard Tyler Blevins) – 23.9M subscribers
While best known as the face of Fortnite on Twitch, Ninja has also built a sizable presence on YouTube with his mix of livestreams, gameplay highlights, and behind-the-scenes vlogging content. One of the most mainstream recognizable gaming influencers, he‘s secured brand deals with the likes of Adidas, Red Bull and Uber Eats. Ninja‘s success has helped pave the way for other creators to turn their gaming skills into a business.
9. VanossGaming (Evan Fong) – 25.5M subscribers
Canadian gamer VanossGaming has cultivated one of YouTube‘s most devoted fanbases with his group multiplayer videos featuring a recurring crew of other gaming personalities. His channel blends gaming entertainment with a heavy dose of comedy and editing effects. VanossGaming‘s close-knit community of fans love tuning in for his laid-back, friend-focused approach to content.
10. Preston (Preston Blaine Arsement) – 19.3M subscribers
Founder of the Minecraft server CosmicSky, Preston has become one of the most prominent Minecraft influencers, known for his challenge videos and skin creation content. His family-friendly approach has made him especially popular with younger Minecraft fans. Preston has also expanded his brand through merchandise, mobile games, and philanthropy.
Gaming Influencer Statistics and Trends
To truly understand the scope and impact of gaming influencers, it‘s important to dive into some key statistics and trends:
Most Watched Games on Twitch
What are viewers tuning into on the world‘s biggest game streaming platform? According to Rainmaker.gg, the top 10 most watched games on Twitch in May 2022 (by hours watched) were:
- Grand Theft Auto V – 181M
- League of Legends – 138M
- VALORANT – 120M
- Fortnite – 106M
- Minecraft – 100M
- Dota 2 – 50M
- Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – 48M
- Apex Legends – 46M
- Call of Duty: Warzone – 46M
- Lost Ark – 45M
This data shows the continued popularity of classic titles like GTAV and LoL, the dominance of battle royale (Fortnite, Apex, Warzone), and the rising interest in newer games like VALORANT and Lost Ark.
Brand Investment in Gaming Creators
As the gaming audience continues to grow, more brands are looking to partner with gaming creators to reach these engaged consumers. Some key findings on brands and gaming influencers:
- 48% of marketers plan to spend more on gaming influencer marketing in the next 12 months (Influencer Marketing Hub)
- Brands are collaborating with gaming creators in a variety of ways, from sponsored livestreams and takeovers to custom in-game items and co-branded merch
- Successful brand/gaming influencer partnerships emphasize authenticity, credibility, and providing value to the audience through exclusive content or offers
Some interesting examples of brand/gaming influencer collabs:
- Ninja‘s multi-year partnerships with Red Bull and Adidas, which have included custom products, events, and content
- PewDiePie‘s "G Fuel" energy drink flavor and merch line, developed in partnership with the brand
- EA‘s "Creator Cave" – a branded content studio and streaming facility for partnered gaming influencers
- KFC‘s gaming division (yes, really) developing a "KFConsole" gaming system, with input from top creators
- MrBeast‘s "Creator Games" esports tournament, sponsored by mobile banking app Current
The throughline of all these partnerships is a focus on genuine brand-influencer fit and adding value to the gaming community. Brands that get it right can see major impact and ROI.
Tips for Effective Gaming Influencer Marketing
So what‘s the key to success in gaming influencer partnerships? Having worked with dozens of brands and gaming creators at our agency, here are our top tips:
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Find the right creator fit. Look for gaming influencers who align with your brand values, have an audience that matches your target demo, and have a track record of creating high-quality, brand-friendly content. Use an influencer marketing platform to search for gaming creators by game title, keywords, audience stats, and more.
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Prioritize authenticity over virality. The gaming community is especially attuned to inauthentic or forced brand integrations. Aim to work with creators who are genuine fans of your product and give them creative control to weave it into their content in an organic, entertaining way.
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Provide unique value to the community. The best gaming influencer campaigns don‘t just promote a brand message – they enhance the viewing experience through exclusive content, experiences, or offers. Think custom skins or levels, early game access, limited-edition products, or meet-and-greet opportunities.
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Diversify your content mix. From long-form VOD and livestreams to TikTok posts and Instagram Reels, consider how you can tap into a gaming influencer‘s presence across platforms and formats to maximize reach and impact. Many gaming creators are also expanding into podcasts, unboxings, interviews and more.
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Amplify through paid. While a single gaming influencer activation can reach a dedicated niche audience, you can expand that impact by whitelisting top performing influencer content and boosting it through the creator‘s handle. This can drive more targeted reach while still feeling authentic.
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Develop an always-on strategy. Rather than one-off sponsored posts, consider an ongoing partnership with a roster of gaming creators to drive continual brand lift and community engagement. Identify rising stars in the space who align with your brand and start seeding product to establish a relationship.
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Measure, learn, and optimize. Use trackable links and UTM parameters to assess how each influencer‘s content is driving traffic and conversions. Monitor audience sentiment and feedback. And continually refine your gaming influencer strategy based on these insights to improve your ROI over time.
Conclusion
As the gaming industry continues to boom, there‘s never been a better time for brands to explore partnerships with gaming influencers. From sponsored streams and unboxings to co-branded products and creator-led events, there are so many ways to connect with the engaged, passionate gaming community.
The key is to find the right creators who align with your brand values and goals, and to focus on providing genuine entertainment and value to their audiences. By following the tips above and committing to an authentic, audience-first approach, you can level up your influencer marketing and make a real impact with the gaming crowd.
Looking to get started with gaming influencers? Check out our list of the top 21 YouTube gaming creators above, and don‘t hesitate to reach out for help developing your strategy. Game on!
