Fortnite tops earnings potential while subscription rates and viewer counts drive revenue across top gaming categories
Playing video games for a living might sound like a fantasy, but for thousands of content creators, it’s become a genuine career path. Platforms like Twitch have turned gaming from a hobby into a multi-billion-dollar industry where the most successful streamers earn millions of dollars annually, simply by broadcasting themselves playing games.
But success isn’t guaranteed. In 2024, Twitch averaged over 2.5 million concurrent viewers at any given time, with gaming streamers dominating the top of the creator earnings. Yet the platform hosts millions of streamers, and most earn little to nothing. The difference often comes down to one decision: which game to play.
“Most people think streaming is just about being entertaining, but it’s actually a business,” says Steven Gannon, Co-Founder of FollowersPanda, a Twitch growth service that helps streamers build their presence. “The game you choose can make or break your earning potential.”
To help aspiring streamers make smarter choices, FollowersPanda analysed data from Twitch’s most popular games. The study examined viewer counts, active streamers, subscription rates, revenue potential, and social media popularity to determine which titles offer the best opportunities for creators to actually make money.
Table: The Top 10 Games That Earn Streamers The Most Money
|
Rank |
Game |
Earning Score |
|
1 |
Fornite |
72.43 |
|
2 |
VALORANT |
70.37 |
|
3 |
League of Legends |
65.26 |
|
4 |
Grand Theft Auto V |
63.24 |
|
5 |
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive |
55.06 |
|
6 |
Minecraft |
55.03 |
|
7 |
Call of Duty: Warzone |
54.04 |
|
8 |
Elden Ring: Nightreign |
43.99 |
|
9 |
Dota 2 |
42.84 |
|
10 |
Dead by Daylight |
34.54 |
Fortnite Dominates Earning Potential
Fortnite sits at the top with an earning score of 72.43, and the numbers explain why. The battle royale giant attracts 49,620 average viewers and boasts over 205,000 active streamers, creating a massive but competitive landscape. What sets Fortnite apart is its subscription performance – streamers average 2.2 million subscribers, far outpacing most competitors.
“Fortnite’s success comes from its broad appeal,” explains Gannon. “It attracts viewers of all ages, which means streamers can build diverse audiences and multiple revenue streams.”
VALORANT claims second place with 70.37 points, driven by impressive viewer engagement. The tactical shooter pulls in 81,761 average viewers – significantly higher than Fortnite – but with fewer total streamers at 137,317. This creates better earning opportunities for those who can break through, with potential monthly revenue reaching $177.
League of Legends rounds out the top three at 65.26, showing the staying power of established esports titles. With 112,105 average viewers and potential earnings up to $236 monthly, it offers solid returns despite having only 75,733 active streamers.
The Subscription Sweet Spot
Looking deeper into the data reveals interesting patterns. Grand Theft Auto V ranks fourth despite having the highest average viewer count at 126,444. Its relatively lower earning score of 63.24 stems from modest subscription numbers – just 647,955 average subscribers compared to Fortnite’s massive figures.
“GTA V shows that raw viewership doesn’t always translate to subscriber loyalty,” notes Gannon. “Streamers need games that turn casual viewers into paying subscribers.”
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Minecraft sit nearly tied at fifth and sixth place, but for completely different reasons. CS:GO benefits from high viewer counts (138,605) and strong revenue potential (up to $324 monthly), while Minecraft wins through volume – 122,210 active streamers and the highest social media engagement at 42% hashtag popularity across platforms.
Steven Gannon, Co-Founder of FollowersPanda, commented:
“This data gives new streamers a roadmap they’ve never had before. Instead of randomly picking games, creators can now see exactly which titles offer the best earning potential and plan their content strategy accordingly.
“The key insight here is balance – you want games with strong viewer interest but not oversaturated with streamers. VALORANT is a perfect example of this. It has fewer streamers than Fortnite but pulls massive viewer numbers, creating better odds for individual success.
“New streamers should also pay attention to the social media metrics. Minecraft’s 42% hashtag popularity shows how some games extend beyond Twitch into other platforms, giving creators multiple ways to grow their audience. That cross-platform appeal can be worth more than raw viewer counts.
“My advice? Start with games in the 55-65 score range if you’re new. They offer solid earning potential without the intense competition you’ll face in Fortnite or VALORANT. Once you build a following, you can always move up to the top-tier games.”