The Rise of Gaming Influencers: Their Impact on the Industry - Gamestate

The Rise of Gaming Influencers: Their Impact on the Industry

Gaming influencers have become dominant in the gaming industry, with their opinions and recommendations carrying weight among their followers. They can influence game sales, shape the gaming culture, and even impact game development.


In this article, we will explore the world of gaming influencers and how they have become a driving force in the industry.



The Rise of Gaming Influencers: A brief story


Gaming influencers have been around since the early days of YouTube, but it wasn't until the rise of live-streaming platforms such as Twitch that they took off. 


As the gaming industry grew, gaming influencers became an essential part of the marketing strategy for game developers and publishers. 


These influencers could reach a large, engaged audience, providing valuable exposure for new game releases. As social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram grew in popularity, gaming influencers expanded their reach beyond video content.



Tom Cassell and the Power of Influencer Marketing in Gaming


Tom Cassell, or Syndicate, is among the most popular and influential gaming influencers.


Cassell started his YouTube channel in 2010, and since then, he has amassed over 10 million YouTube subscribers and has become a household name in the gaming community. Cassell's success has led to him being a significant player in influencer marketing, working with companies such as Ubisoft, EA, and Activision. 


Cassell's influence has also extended beyond gaming, with his lifestyle brand, Syndicate Original, becoming a successful apparel line.



Female Gaming Influencers: Breaking Barriers and Shaping the Gaming Culture


Although the gaming industry has historically been male-dominated, female influencers have been breaking barriers and making their mark. 


Influencers such as Pokimane, KittyPlays, and DizzyKitten have amassed millions of followers on social media platforms. They have become some of the world's most popular and influential gaming influencers. 


These female gaming influencers have become role models for young girls interested in gaming, encouraging more diversity and inclusivity in the industry.


Popular Streaming Platforms 


Several streaming platforms have become popular among gaming influencers.


Twitch is one of the most popular streaming platforms, allowing influencers to live stream their gameplay and interact with their audience in real-time.


YouTube is also a popular platform, with influencers like PewDiePie, Markiplier, and Jacksepticeye amassing millions of views with gaming content. Other popular channels include Game Theorists, which focuses on analyzing video games.



The Impact of Gaming Influencers on the Gaming Industry: Sales, Development, and Community



Influencers can drive sales for new game releases, with many game developers and publishers utilizing influencer marketing as part of their promotional strategy. 


Influencers also have the power to influence game development, with developers often taking feedback and criticisms from influencers into consideration. Furthermore, gaming influencers can help build and foster communities around games, allowing fans to come together and discuss their favorite games.



There are two main types of influencers in the gaming industry.


Let’s look at two of them:



  • Game streamers

Streaming has become one of the most popular ways to watch games, and many gamers have built them following by streaming on platforms such as Twitch or YouTube Gaming.

 Streamers can broadcast themselves playing video games, talk about how they got started in their favorite genres, and even engage with their audience via chat. Some streamers even play competitively against other players or join tournaments where they compete against each other for cash prizes! You might recognize some of them from commercials you see during breaks between shows on television channels like ESPN or TBS Sports Network


  • Game critics

Gaming critics review new releases so players can decide if something is worth buying before purchasing it - similar to movie critics who review films before they come out at theaters! 


This type of influencer can also offer advice based on personal experience; maybe someone wants advice about which games would be fun for younger kids since they don't want anything too violent, or perhaps someone needs help deciding whether they should spend money upgrading all her equipment after reaching a certain level in a video game. Influencers could quickly answer these questions by reading reviews from credible sources like IGN or watching reviews on any other social media platform.



Gamer influencers in the Netherlands.


The Netherlands has a thriving gaming community, and several gamer influencers have made a name for themselves. Let's take a closer look at some of them


  • Kwebbelkop
  • Jordi van den Bussche, popularly known as Kwebbelkop, started his YouTube channel in 2008 and gained over 14 million subscribers. Kwebbelkop specializes in playing games such as Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto, and Fortnite. He is known for his humorous commentary and engaging personality. Kwebbelkop has also collaborated with famous YouTubers, such as Jelly and Slogoman.


  • Kingalert
  • Lars Brinkman, better known by his online alias Kingalert, started his gaming career in 2011 and has since amassed a loyal following. Kingalert streams games such as League of Legends, Valorant, and Minecraft. He is known for his entertaining commentary and high-quality production values. Kingalert has also worked with popular Dutch streamers like MeneerBroek and Qucee.




  • Thijs
  • Thijs Molendijk, known by his online alias Thijs, is a Dutch Hearthstone player and Twitch streamer. He started his gaming career in 2013 and has since become one of the most popular Hearthstone players in the world. Thijs has won several major Hearthstone tournaments and has over 300,000 followers on Twitch. He is known for his in-depth game knowledge and engaging personality.



    Gaming Influencers are a driving force.


    Gaming influencers have become a significant force in the gaming industry, with their opinions and recommendations carrying weight among their followers.


    From the early days of YouTube to the rise of live streaming platforms such as Twitch, gaming influencers have evolved into an essential part of the marketing strategy for game developers and publishers.


    The impact of gaming influencers extends beyond just driving sales for new game releases; they also have the power to influence game development and foster communities around games. 


    We can only conclude that gaming influencers will grow as the gaming industry evolves.


    Do you want to be a gamer influencer? Visit us at your Gamestate closest location and you’ll be one step closer.