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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.

Alberta

Greentube goes live in Alberta as province opens regulated iGaming

Published

10 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

greentube-goes-live-in-alberta-as-province-opens-regulated-igaming

Supplier secures AGLC registration and extends its Canadian footprint beyond Ontario, where it has been live since 2022.

Greentube has gone live in Alberta on the day the province opened as a newly regulated iGaming market, marking the supplier’s first launch in the jurisdiction.

The NOVOMATIC Digital Gaming and Entertainment division said it completed regulatory and technical due diligence and secured registration with the Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) commission to operate in the province. Alberta becomes only the second Canadian province to regulate iGaming after Ontario, with the new framework replacing the monopoly previously held by Play Alberta.

The Alberta launch builds on Greentube’s existing Canadian footprint. The company has been live in Ontario since 2022 and described the Alberta debut as part of its wider North American expansion strategy.

Greentube said Alberta players will initially have access to a curated set of titles including Piggy Prizes Wand of Riches 2, Rumble Riches Haulin’ Gold and Firecracker Frenzy Money Toad, as well as Silver Lux Big Win Spinner, Starlight Jackpots Captain’s Catch and Charming Lady’s Boom.

David Bolas, Commercial Director at Greentube, said: “Going live in Alberta on the day the market opens is an important step for Greentube and reflects the strong momentum we are seeing in Canada.

“We welcome the opportunity a new jurisdiction offers and look forward to working with locally licensed operators to introduce our established offering to players in Alberta. With a balanced line-up of new releases and proven performers, we are well placed to offer a compelling experience in the province and support our long-term ambitions in the region.”

The post Greentube goes live in Alberta as province opens regulated iGaming appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

hold and respin

Spinomenal releases new slot 3 Fuego Chillies

Published

10 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

spinomenal-releases-new-slot-3-fuego-chillies

Spinomenal has released 3 Fuego Chillies, a new 5×3 video slot themed around a Mexican street fiesta. The game ships with a feature-led Bonus Game and a top prize billed as a Grand Jackpot of x3,000 the total bet.

The Wild is a mariachi in a sombrero and substitutes for all symbols except the Bonus, BOOST, COLLECT, MULTI and Jackpot symbols. Spinomenal said five Wilds on a payline return x10 the bet, with four paying x2 and three paying x0.5, while three- and four-Wild combinations only pay when followed by a Bonus or Special Bonus symbol.

Six or more Bonus and Special Bonus symbols trigger the Bonus Game. Triggering symbols lock in place and the feature starts with three bonus spins; only Bonus and Special Bonus symbols can land, carrying prizes from x1 to x10 the total bet, and each new symbol resets the spin counter back to three.

During the feature, BOOST assigns a random value (x2, x3, x4, x5, x7 or x10) and adds it to every symbol on the reels, while MULTI applies a x2, x3 or x5 multiplier to all symbols before taking a value based on the chosen multiplier. COLLECT then totals the values of all Bonus symbols into a single prize, and a MYSTERY symbol can transform into a BOOST, MULTI, COLLECT or Jackpot symbol.

Jackpot symbols during the feature pay Mini (x20), Minor (x50) or Major (x150), while filling all 15 cells awards the Grand Jackpot of x3,000 the total bet. Spinomenal also said a Bonus Blast Feature can trigger at random in the base game to spread extra symbols toward the Bonus Game, and the title includes a Buy Feature for instant entry. Spinomenal CO-CEO, Omer Henya commented: “3 Fuego Chillies brings the fun of the fiesta straight to the reels. The three chilli features keep the Bonus Game sizzling and the x3,000 Grand Jackpot gives players plenty to celebrate. We think this one will go down a treat with slot fans everywhere.”

The post Spinomenal releases new slot 3 Fuego Chillies appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.

Andy Phillips Chief Business Development Officer at Sporting Risk

Sporting Risk launches SureSub player prop markets via Sportradar odds feed

Published

10 minutes ago

July 20, 2026

Wladimir P.

sporting-risk-launches-suresub-player-prop-markets-via-sportradar-odds-feed

The new Promotional Markets add substitution-enabled player props designed to transfer bets to replacement players during a match.

Sporting Risk has expanded its Promotional Markets suite with a new set of SureSub player prop markets, distributed via the Sportradar Unified Odds Feed.

The company said SureSub is designed to extend eligible player prop bets beyond substitutions by automatically transferring selections to the replacement player. Sporting Risk added that operators can customise the feature, including its branding and name, to fit their sportsbook UX.

Sporting Risk positioned the release as part of its wider Promotional Markets portfolio, which it said includes products such as 2Up and other enhanced settlement mechanics aimed at helping operators differentiate without relying on bonuses, free bets or price-led promotions.

Andy Phillips, Chief Business Development Officer at Sporting Risk, said: “Operators are constantly looking for new ways to stand out in increasingly competitive markets. Promotional Markets do exactly that. They give operators a differentiated betting experience that keeps customers engaged throughout the match, without relying on bonuses or free bet campaigns. SureSub is a natural addition to that portfolio. It’s a mechanic customers already understand, but we’ve expanded it across a much broader range of player prop markets. Combined with our distribution through Sportradar, operators can now roll out SureSub at a scale that simply hasn’t been possible before.”

Sporting Risk said the product can be delivered directly or through the Sportradar Unified Odds Feed, with deployment designed to work across existing sportsbook infrastructure and scale across multiple competitions and leagues.

The post Sporting Risk launches SureSub player prop markets via Sportradar odds feed appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.