KSI and Sidemen Rank Among UK’s Wealthiest Gamers

High-profile YouTube personalities KSI and the Sidemen have achieved notable recognition in the Sunday Times’ inaugural Gaming Rich List, joining the ranks of some of the UK’s most affluent gamers and game developers. Topping the list are the Bukhman brothers, Igor and Dmitry, co-founders of Playrix, whose combined wealth reaches an impressive £12.54 billion. The brothers are celebrated for creating popular games like Township, Fishdom, and Homescapes.

KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olatunji, and his fellow Sidemen members are featured prominently in the list, securing a joint 21st place with an estimated net worth of £50 million. The Sidemen, a collective known for their YouTube videos, which include challenges, sketches, and gaming commentary, have made significant strides in the gaming and entertainment industry.

Another prominent YouTuber making the list is PewDiePie, a Swedish vlogger named Felix Kjellberg who operates several companies in the UK. PewDiePie is ranked 25th with a fortune of £45 million. His influence extends beyond gaming into a broader entertainment realm.

The list also highlights significant figures in the gaming industry, such as Dan and Sam Houser, co-founders of Rockstar Games. Known for their creation of the iconic Grand Theft Auto series, the Housers are ranked 4th with a combined wealth of £350 million. Additionally, Riccardo Zacconi, Mel Morris, and Sebastian Knutsson, the developers behind the immensely popular mobile game Candy Crush, are included in the top 10.

The developers behind Minecraft, Paddy Burns and Chris van der Kuyl, are placed 11th, each with a net worth of £150 million. Their work on the game, initially released for Xbox, has been widely acclaimed and financially successful.

The list reveals that more than a quarter of those featured are under 35, with an average age of 45. Notably, the representation of women on the list is minimal, with only three women making the cut. Wendy Irvin-Braben, of Frontier Developments, is the only woman in the top 10. She and her husband David are listed 10th with a joint worth of £175 million. Debbie Bestwick, the former CEO of Team17, comes in at 13th place with £130 million. Team17 is known for creating popular games like Worms, Overcooked, and Dredge.

Tamsin O’Luanaigh, who founded the virtual reality company nGames with her husband Patrick, is ranked 28th with a joint net worth of £26 million. Her company has made notable contributions to the VR gaming industry.

Robert Watts, the compiler of the Sunday Times Gaming Rich List, remarked that the list showcases the remarkable “rags-to-riches” stories of individuals who have amassed considerable fortunes through gaming and game development. This recognition highlights the significant financial success achievable in the gaming industry and the diverse backgrounds of those who have made their mark in this dynamic field.