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Revealed: What does it take to become an esports star?

Published

6 years ago

September 14, 2020

George Miller

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Johan Sundstein aka ‘N0tail’ is the top-ranking esports player of 2020, with $6.9 million in prize money to his name
The average age of a top-ranking esports player is 24 for male players and 27 for female
Popular streaming sites have experienced a 20% increase in the number of hours streamed in lockdown

Esports have accelerated into the mainstream in recent years, providing many avid gamers with the opportunity to turn their passion into a career. And with prize funds reaching the millions, being on top of your game certainly pays off. So, what does it take to make it big in esports and how has the industry evolved? Intel explored the ins and outs of the growing esports world.

The making of an esports star

The most top-ranking male players of 2020 are from China (26%), and the most top-ranking female players are from the USA (42%)
Physical health must also be a priority when training for esports, as well as in-game performance

As an avid gamer, what would it take to break into the esports industry and what exactly does an esports star look like today?

Based on the 100 top-ranking male and female esports players of 2020, the average age is 24 for male players and 27 for female. Some are even as young as 16, demonstrating that progression is very possible at a young age.

To climb the ranks, players must be committed to perfecting their game and putting in the necessary training, both in-game and physically. Professionals specialise in one or two games, focusing their time and energy on perfecting their performance.

“The best game to get into when moving into professional gaming or streaming is something you actually enjoy,” explains Chris Ball aka ‘Sacriel’. “It’s clear to see when a streamer is forcing themselves to play a type of game they don’t enjoy just because they feel a ‘big’ game is their only option – so instead find something that you can be passionate about.”

Healthy eating and a good night’s sleep are also recommended for optimal performance.

Esports host, Frankie Ward says “Esports teams are beginning to bring their routines in line with more traditional sports. Counter-Strike team Astralis, for example, has a coach, sports psychologist, and a physiotherapist. They also have a nutritionist and a sleep doctor that they can access, should they need extra help.”

Aoife Wilson, Head of Video at Eurogamer also stresses the importance of physical health, adding that players should “make physical training a priority alongside in-game training, which can not only help with focus and mindset, but in preventing strain or injuries that can come with sitting at your computer for prolonged periods of time.”

The esports industry in 2020

The industry, which is currently worth $1.1 billion in 2020, is projected to be worth $1.8 billion by 2022
The top competing countries are the USA, China and The Republic of Korea

Esports have come a long way since their conception – from ‘Spacewar’ played on the first ever computer to ‘Dota 2’, best enjoyed on a specialist gaming PC. So, what does the industry look like in 2020?

Today esports have the potential to fill huge arenas with thousands of fans. Not to mention the additional at-home audience watching live competitions streamed online. The Intel® Extreme Masters, held in Katowice in 2017, was one of the largest esports events in history, with a live attendance of 173,000 and viewership of 46 million.

While many live 2020 esports events were forced to cancel in response to the coronavirus pandemic, some went ahead in a virtual format. In fact, popular streaming sites such as Twitch and YouTube experienced a 20% increase in the number of hours streamed in lockdown, suggesting gaming provided solace to many throughout quarantine.

The esports industry has grown by epic proportions in recent years. Over the last five years, revenue has tripled from $325M to $1.1 billion and audience size has quadrupled from 120M to 495M. What’s more, the industry is projected to be worth a huge $1.8 billion by 2022.

While the esports world is very much a global playing field, with players hailing from all around the globe, the top competing countries are the USA, China and The Republic of Korea. 2019 winnings totalled $41.3 million, $18.5 million and $16.5 million for the respective nations.

Streamer Chris Ball aka ‘Sacriel’ says, “as the technical limits on game engines get pushed further and further back with breakthroughs in computing prowess, I think esports and streaming is going to become more mainstream and I look forward to what the new technology brings us.”

You can view the full list of those make it to the top in the eSport industry here.

game releases

Greentube launches Cash Connection – Golden Sizzling Hot with guaranteed Winning Spins

Published

18 minutes ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

greentube-launches-cash-connection-–-golden-sizzling-hot-with-guaranteed-winning-spins

Greentube, the NOVOMATIC Interactive division, has launched Cash Connection – Golden Sizzling Hot on 14th July 2026. The new title extends the supplier’s Cash Connection series and introduces a gold-themed variant with updated bonus mechanics.

Cash Connection – Golden Sizzling Hot is played on a 5×3 grid with five win lines. Landing six or more disc symbols triggers a Lock & Spin feature, with access to four jackpots across the game and two bonus prizes. The Grand Jackpot can be triggered by landing 15 discs during the feature, which also ends the round.

Greentube said the Mini and Minor jackpots are tied to a separate Winning Spins feature. In this mode, played on a different set of reels without disc symbols, “every spin is a guaranteed win,” according to the company.

Richard Ganster, Director of Games Strategy and Games Portfolio Management at Greentube, said: “Cash Connection has grown into one of our most consistently popular game families, and Golden Sizzling Hot shows exactly why we keep coming back to expand it.

The Lock & Spin feature has always been a strong draw for players, but what really sets this edition apart is the guaranteed Winning Spins feature. Landing a Mini or Minor jackpot doesn’t just add a cash value; it opens the door to a round where every spin wins, and that’s a great incentive for players.

“Giving the game a golden makeover was about more than just a new look. It’s part of how we keep our most established franchises feeling fresh, and Golden Sizzling Hot is a great example of that balance between familiarity and evolution.”

The post Greentube launches Cash Connection – Golden Sizzling Hot with guaranteed Winning Spins appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

game-launch

Habanero releases Galaxy Babies slot with Black Hole Wild blocks

Published

18 minutes ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

habanero-releases-galaxy-babies-slot-with-black-hole-wild-blocks

Habanero has launched Galaxy Babies, a new 5×3 slot released on 14 July 2026, built around a Black Hole mechanic that randomly drops blocks of Wild symbols onto the reels.

The game runs on 25 paylines. In the base game, the Black Hole can appear at random and “warp in” Wild symbol blocks across the reels. Habanero said Wilds in the title are only triggered through the Black Hole feature.

A free spins mode triggers when three or more Scatter symbols land, with up to 50 free spins available and retriggers during the bonus round. In free spins, Habanero said the Black Hole “grows,” creating larger 3×3 and 4×4 Wild blocks.

Galaxy Babies also supports Habanero’s Jackpot Race, Buy Feature and Super Bet, which the supplier said gives operators options when configuring the game for different player preferences. The release follows recent titles including Happy Hatchlings, Nuwa Deluxe and Steampunk Plinko.

Toni Karapetrov, Head of Corporate Communications at Habanero, commented: “Galaxy Babies is a title with a lot of personality and a mechanic that delivers real impact. The Black Hole Wild is simple to understand but creates moments that feel genuinely exciting.

“It is a game that will appeal to a broad range of players, and we are looking forward to seeing how it performs across our operator network.”

The post Habanero releases Galaxy Babies slot with Black Hole Wild blocks appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

casino content

ICONIC21 distributes full casino portfolio via Blue Ocean Gaming

Published

18 minutes ago

July 14, 2026

Wladimir P.

iconic21-distributes-full-casino-portfolio-via-blue-ocean-gaming

ICONIC21 has signed a distribution agreement with Blue Ocean Gaming that makes the supplier’s full portfolio—live casino, slots and RNG titles—available through Blue Ocean Gaming’s operator network. The companies announced the deal on 14 July 2026.

Blue Ocean Gaming said it aggregates content from more than 140 providers and offers operators a catalogue of over 13,000 casino titles across categories including slots, live casino, virtual sports and sportsbook.

The integration includes ICONIC21’s live casino Gravity Series game-show formats, including Gravity Wheel. ICONIC21 said the title runs multipliers on every spin and includes four multiplier symbols—Saturn, Moon, Comet and Sun—with the Sun multiplier offering wins of up to 1,000x.

The agreement also covers ICONIC21 slots including Buffalo Wild Collection and Las Piggas, alongside RNG titles such as Chicken Run, Mines and Crash.

Alina Mihaela Popa, Chief Commercial Officer at ICONIC21, said: “Being distributed through a platform of this scale, alongside such a strong roster of providers, gives our content exceptional exposure and reach. What makes us proud is that our footprint keeps growing, and it keeps growing very quickly. Each new partnership is a reflection of our strength and potential, and Blue Ocean Gaming is a very meaningful addition to that journey.”

Dejan Jović , CEO at BlueOcean Gaming commented: “ICONIC21 is doing something truly exciting in the live casino space, raising the bar when it comes to player immersion and showmanship. Their ability to take classic table games and supercharge them with dynamic twists like the Gravity series adds a fantastic new layer of entertainment to GameHub. It’s exactly the kind of high-vibe, retention-driven content our operators look for to stand out in a crowded market, and we are thrilled to welcome them on board.”

The post ICONIC21 distributes full casino portfolio via Blue Ocean Gaming appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.