These 17 YouTube Stars Probably Make Millions Playing Video Games

By Lance Cartelli on March 24, 2015

1. Smosh: Up to $3 million (annual income estimate)

Anthony Padilla and Ian Hecox bring us Smosh, one of the most famous YouTube channels in existence. In addition to vids about mobile gaming, the duo have created an entire network of channels including a movie parody channel and an “If Blank Were Real” channel that never disappoints. Social Blade – a site that analyzes the income of YouTube channels based on a number of changing variables – estimates their game channel is making up to $3 million annually.

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2. Vegetta777: Up to $8.5 million (est.)

Minecraft is addictive in any language, and Samuel de Luque shares all of the best tips and tricks on his YouTube channel Vegetta777. Vegetta777 is easily the most famous Spanish YouTube channel around and one of the most lucrative, according to Social Blade’s analysis of CPM and daily channel visits.

3. ihascupquake: Up to $2.4 million (est.)

Tiffany Michelle Herrera has amassed a large YouTube community (more than 3 million subscribers). Aside from playing games on YouTube, she experiments with vibrant hair colors and home decor on her DIY channel. She even hosts a channel for her cat, as well as a collectible toys channel.

4. EvanTubeHD: Up to $3.2 million (est.)

What were you up to when you were nine years old? Well, Evan is busy opening toys, playing games and racking up the cash. He has over one million subscribers, more than a billion views, and brings in approximately $3 million annually across three YouTube channels based on recent CPM and site visit analysis from Social Blade.

5. TheDiamondMineCart: Up to $11.2 million (est.)

Though a number of popular gaming channels feature loose language, Daniel Middleton – also known as The DiamondMinecart (TDM) – has created a kid-friendly Minecraft YouTube channel. The channel is so family friendly that sometimes Daniel’s wife, Jemma, plays along in videos.

6. KSIOlajidebt: Up to $3.4 million (est.)

Known for playing FIFA before an audience of around eight million teens, KSIOlajideb, or KSI as he’s better known, has made millions (up to $3.4 according to Social Blade’s estimates) thanks to YouTube videos.

7. PopularMMOs: Up to $11 million (est.)

PopularMMOs is run by Pat (you may know him by his Minecraft name, FuriousDestroyer) and Jen (SuperGirlyGamer). They have over 3 million subscribers across five series, and those several channels combined bring them to almost $11 million annually.

8. PewDiePie: Up to $8.5 million (est.)

Hailing from Sweden is PewDiePie, perhaps YouTube’s biggest star. PewDiePie – real name Felix Arvid Ulf Kjelberg – tests out video games and incites laughter with hilarious reactions and commentary. Financial publications like Forbes and The Wall Street Journal have examined his rise to a superstar income. Gamers grapple over whether he’s “earned” his success. The numbers may change, but they don’t lie: he’s one of the highest paid YouTubers to date.

9. Stampylonghead (formerly Stampylongnose): Up to $9.7 million (est.)

Another kid-friendly Minecraft channel is Stampylonghead, manned by Joseph Garrett. He plays using a fun, cat-like character and silly voices that keep kids engaged. That kitty is wagging its tail all the way to the bank.

10. VanossGaming: Up to $7.7 million (est.)

Look, mom, you can make money playing Grand Theft Auto with your friends! That’s basically what Evan Fong, or VanossGaming, does in his videos featuring him and his buds just having fun with video games. His growing fan base is giving YouTubers like PewDiePie a run for their money, literally.

11. Markiplier: Up to $8.1 million (est.)

Funny faces and playing games on YouTube are just two ingredients in the secret sauce for Markiplier, another Maker Studios YouTuber. Mark Edward Fischbach also sprinkles in some acting skills. This makes for animated antics accompanied by a scoop of comedy.

12. FernanFloo: Up to $4.2 million (est.)

Fernanfloo is another top YouTuber with a Spanish language channel. He uses very… colorful language and strange humor while racking up subscribers and cash playing video games.

13. Jacksepticeye: Up to $8.8 million (est.)

The proclaimed “most energetic game commentator on YouTube” is Sean William McLoughlin, the Irish YouTube gamer that appreciates each of his fans individually. Aside from playing video games on his vlogs, he likes to answer fan questions and read comments from his posts.

14. TheWillyRex: Up to $4 million (est.)

Much like Vegetta777, Guillermo Dïaz gained popularity for his Minecraft videos in Spanish. He currently has close to 6 million subscribers watching him build and destroy and build and destroy.

15. GamePlayRJ: Up to $2.2 million (est.)

Brazil’s own Davy Jones (GamePlayRJ or DavyJonesRJ) makes pirate-level money playing Minecraft on YouTube for his crew of around 1.3 million subscribers. With their help, he stashes around $2 million annually, according to Social Blade’s estimate.

16. GameGrumps: Up to $3.7 million (est.)

A genius mixture of music, animation and Let’s Play style gaming brings us GameGrumps. The factors of income change about as much as the special guests and animators on the show, but as of writing this piece GameGrumps’ recipe for success led by Arin Hanson rakes in an estimated $3.7 million dollars each year.

17. JuegaGerman: Up to $5.4 million (est.)

Coming in at approximately $5 million annually (as estimated by the analyzing geniuses at Social Blade, using many variables) is Hola Soy German. The channel is on again, off again, but the money continues to flow in whenever the Chilean comedian uploads new videos, playing all sorts of games from Flappybird to Minecraft.