The Rise Of Ninja: How Tyler Blevins Became A Gaming Icon And Influencer

By this time, it’s barely even a surprise to report on a professional video game player such as Tyler Blevins, also known as Ninja, probably the most famous of his field, making big bucks to do something many of us would happily do for free (and, in fact, pay for the privilege). But it’s still interesting to see how video game companies are often ready, willing, and eager to shell out large amounts of money to have players give their releases a shot, provided they have a large enough viewing audience. Like, for example, Electronic Arts, which reportedly paid around $1 million to have Ninja play its latest release Apex Legends shortly after its release in February.

EA's release strategy for Apex Legends was to draw in several notable game streamers – Ninja among them – to play the game just hours after it was officially released. The strategy seems to have paid off, with a reported 10 million players signing up to play the game in the first three days of its availability. Ninja's only responsibility to earn that paycheck was to tweet about the game and then stream his playing of it to his 13 million followers on the Twitch game streaming platform.

Drew McCoy is the lead producer at the EA studio behind Apex Legends, and in an interview with Reuters he explained how getting Ninja and other high-profile gamers all to play Apex Legends at the same time was part of a concrete promotional strategy:

“We really wanted to create a day where you couldn’t escape Apex if you cared about games and we wanted it to feel like an event was happening everywhere around the globe on that day…We had streamers from all over Europe, LatAm, North America, Korea, Japan so that we could get our message out there and people would see the game.”

That appears to have worked, with the aforementioned 10 million early sign-ups for the game, as well as the estimated $500 million in annual revenue for EA that will come along with Apex Legends' continued popularity.

Table of Contents

• Biography of Tyler Blevins (Ninja)
• Rise to Fame
• Business Strategy Behind Gaming Influencers
• Impact on the Gaming Industry
• Final Thoughts

Biography of Tyler Blevins (Ninja)

Tyler Blevins, widely known as Ninja, is a professional gamer, streamer, and internet personality. Born on June 5, 1991, in Grayslake, Illinois, he first gained recognition for his skills in various video games, notably Fortnite. With his charismatic personality and engaging content, he quickly became one of the most influential figures in the gaming community.

Rise to Fame

Ninja's rise to fame began when he started streaming on Twitch in 2011. Initially focusing on games like Halo, he gained traction as a skilled player. However, it was his transition to Fortnite that catapulted him into superstardom. His vibrant personality, entertaining gameplay, and collaborations with celebrities helped him attract millions of followers.

In 2018, Ninja became the first gamer to reach 10 million followers on Twitch, breaking records and establishing himself as a household name. His streams often featured celebrity guests, further enhancing his visibility and appeal.

Business Strategy Behind Gaming Influencers

The gaming industry has seen a significant shift in marketing strategies, with influencers like Ninja playing a pivotal role. Companies recognize the power of influencer marketing, as gamers with large followings can effectively promote products and games to their audiences.

Electronic Arts, for instance, utilized Ninja's influence to promote Apex Legends. By paying Ninja to play and stream the game shortly after its release, they capitalized on his massive following, leading to impressive early sign-ups and engagement.

Impact on the Gaming Industry

Ninja's success has not only changed his life but also impacted the gaming industry as a whole. His ability to engage audiences and promote games through streaming has set new standards for marketing in gaming. Brands are increasingly partnering with influencers to reach younger audiences who are more likely to engage with content creators.

Moreover, Ninja's rise has influenced other gamers to pursue careers in streaming and content creation, leading to a more vibrant and diverse gaming community.

Final Thoughts

Tyler Blevins, known as Ninja, exemplifies how a gamer can transcend traditional boundaries and become a global icon. His journey from a skilled player to a marketing powerhouse reflects the evolving landscape of the gaming industry. As companies continue to leverage the influence of gamers, the future looks bright for both gaming and content creation.