With over 3 million concurrent players across all platforms, more than 10 million copies sold in just four days, and over 270,000 reviews on Steam with a 96% approval rating, China's AAA title Black Myth: Wukong has not only set new records for single-player games since its August 20 launch but has also put Chinese gaming on the global map.
The "2024 China Gaming Industry Report (January-June)" reveals that in the first half of 2024, revenue from overseas sales of Chinese-developed games hit $8.554 billion, marking a 4.24% year-on-year increase. Chinese game companies are strategically expanding their global reach and delving deeper into international markets, aiming for greater global impact.
The phenomenal success of Black Myth: Wukong reflects not just the significant advancements in China's gaming industry, but also the vibrant diversity of Chinese culture. It has generated excitement for the next breakthrough title and more Chinese cultural products making waves internationally.
The game's standout performance isn’t by chance. Its cutting-edge technology and content, paired with savvy marketing and influencer collaborations, have set it apart from the competition. To replicate the "Wukong" success, take a look at this week’s top three gaming influencers who can help elevate your brand visibility!
1. Félix Lengyel: The Gaming Streaming Star Born from Controversy
xQc, whose full name is Félix Lengyel, was born in 1996 and is a top Twitch streamer and popular content creator from Canada. As of now, xQc boasts 12 million followers on Twitch and 2.34 million subscribers on YouTube.
On YouTube, xQc's audience is predominantly male, with 82% of his subscribers being men, mostly from countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. According to SocialBook's SaaS platform, xQc's videos average 226,000 views each, with sponsored content attracting around 190,000 views, reflecting a relatively stable performance.
xQc began his career as a professional Overwatch player, competing for several esports teams including Denial Esports, Arc 6, and Dallas Fuel. After Overwatch was officially released in 2016, he quickly emerged as one of the game's top players. However, as his professional career experienced various ups and downs, xQc eventually decided to transition to full-time streaming.
xQc has had numerous standout moments in his streaming career, especially after transitioning from professional gaming, which led to a significant rise in his popularity and visibility. From 2020 to 2022, he was the most-watched streamer on Twitch for three consecutive years. In 2021, his total viewing hours reached 163 million, nearly double that of the second most-watched streamer. In 2022, he set multiple records for peak live viewers, notably surpassing 312,000 during the Overwatch 2 beta streams. During this period, he was arguably Twitch’s most commercially valuable game streamer.
In an effort to lure him away from Twitch, the gaming livestreaming platform Kick offered xQc a two-year contract worth $100 million in 2023, making it one of the most high-profile deals in entertainment history. This figure highlights his massive influence in the streaming world and underscores his significant commercial value as a top-tier streamer.
xQc's rise is closely tied to his distinctive personality. Known for his candid and humorous streaming style, these traits have drawn a large and loyal following. Although his outspoken comments often spark controversy, this aspect of his persona also contributes to his appeal. Unlike many streamers, xQc’s content spans a wide range, from Pokémon to GTA RP and Overwatch, showcasing his versatility as a content creator.
Through real-time interaction with fans and unique video content, xQc manages to keep his streams engaging and entertaining. Although his journey hasn’t been without its challenges, these struggles only enhance his allure among his followers.
Recently, xQc's involvement in promoting the Chinese game Black Myth: Wukong caused a major stir in the gaming community both domestically and internationally. In 2023, xQc unveiled a mysterious package related to Black Myth: Wukong during a livestream, drawing the attention of his millions of fans and generating widespread media coverage in the gaming world. This event sparked significant discussion, greatly increasing the game's visibility and anticipation.
The livestream reportedly drew over 293,000 viewers and generated a strong market reaction, significantly boosting the international profile of Black Myth: Wukong. This collaboration has been praised as a prime example of achieving major results with a modest investment. While specific GMV and sales data have not been disclosed, the partnership undoubtedly brought substantial media influence and brand exposure, showcasing the potential of effective marketing through collaborations with high-profile influencers.
By partnering with a major influencer like xQc, Game Science not only elevated Black Myth: Wukong’s global visibility but also stirred strong curiosity and anticipation among gamers. This targeted marketing approach highlights the game developer’s deep understanding of market dynamics and their ability to adapt flexibly.
xQc’s unique perspective and the controversies he brings can significantly enhance the discussion around a game brand, maximizing its visibility. Interested businesses should reach out to SocialBook to explore more collaboration opportunities!
2. Alastair Aiken: The Gaming Icon of the Digital Age
Alastair Aiken, better known by his online alias Ali-A, is a well-known YouTuber from the UK. He has gained fame for his commentary and vlogs on games like Call of Duty and Fortnite. As of now, Ali-A boasts 19 million subscribers on YouTube and has accumulated over 6 billion views.
Among his audience, 86% are male based on the analysis of SocialBook's SaaS platform, with the majority coming from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Ali-A also excels in commercial performance, with an average of 1.1 million views per YouTube video and around 500,000 views on promotional content—impressive numbers by industry standards!
Ali-A’s YouTube journey began in 2011. In addition to his main channel, he runs several other channels, including More Ali-A and Ali-A Plays, which have 19.3 million and 430,000 subscribers respectively. These channels further showcase his extensive influence in the video game community.
Ali-A's success is no accident; it's a result of his deep insights into video games and high-quality content. His videos typically blend his reactions and commentary with actual gameplay, showcasing his passion and expertise. His fanbase, known as the "Ali-A Army," has only amplified his influence within the gaming community. Meanwhile, the rise of social media and streaming platforms has given him ample opportunities to engage with a broad audience, helping him quickly build his popularity.
In 2015, Ali-A earned a Guinness World Record for the views and subscriber count on his Call of Duty channel. Additionally, in 2017, the BBC dubbed him a "YouTube Superstar" and gave him the opportunity to host a children's TV show called Ali-A's Superchargers, further expanding his influence among teens and kids.
As a prominent figure in the digital gaming world, Alastair Aiken has not only achieved significant success in video game commentary but also demonstrated strong potential as a brand partnership collaborator. For example, one of his major sponsors is Kontrol Freek, a company specializing in gaming peripherals. In one of his regular video updates, Ali-A featured a sponsored segment for Kontrol Freek and included a 10% discount code in the comments. This video ultimately garnered 3.58 million views and 61,000 likes, showcasing the maximum impact of his promotional efforts!
As a result, Kontrol Freek even created a dedicated page on their website for Ali-A, making it easy for fans to view all the Kontrol Freek products he uses and endorses. This collaboration has significantly boosted their brand recognition and loyalty among a younger audience, thanks to Ali-A’s influence.
Additionally, in 2022, Ali-A partnered with Scuf Gaming to launch a custom-themed controller, allowing gamers to use equipment featuring Ali-A's unique branding. His Instagram promotion for the controller garnered 9,420 likes, with the comments section overwhelmingly filled with inquiries like "Where can I get it?" This successful product launch resonated strongly with his fans and further solidified his market position. Through these collaborations, Ali-A has not only created additional revenue streams for himself but also elevated brand exposure to new heights.
3. Daniel Middleton: The Gaming Icon Who Holds a Guinness World Record
Daniel Robert Middleton, widely known as DanTDM, is a prominent YouTuber and gamer from the UK. He has gained fame for his engaging commentary on popular games such as Minecraft, Roblox, Pokémon, and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Since launching his YouTube channel in 2012, DanTDM has risen to become one of the most popular figures on the platform. His channel now boasts over 28.9 million subscribers, with a total of 19.7 billion video views and more than 3,600 videos published. His influence in the gaming world continues to grow, showcasing his immense potential and reach.
Among his audience, 56% are male, primarily from the UK and the US. According to SocialBook's SaaS platform, DanTDM's videos average 4.19 million views each, with sponsored content drawing an average of 3.8 million views. These impressive numbers make him highly attractive to many brands.
DanTDM’s rise to fame stems from his passion for video games and his exceptional gaming skills. His videos attract a large audience with their humorous style, authentic personality, and high-quality content. He excels at breaking down game details and providing in-depth commentary, helping new players understand games better. Additionally, his active engagement with fans has strengthened his emotional connection with viewers.
In 2016, he set a Guinness World Record with 7.9 billion views, making his channel the most-watched dedicated to Minecraft. This achievement not only earned him a vast fan base but also cemented his status in the YouTube community.
DanTDM’s content extends beyond just gaming to include a variety of challenges and activities related to games, which has helped him attract a broader audience. He has also won multiple Kids' Choice Awards and, in 2017, made Forbes' list of highest-earning YouTube stars with an annual income of £12.2 million (approximately $16.5 million). His graphic novel, Trayaurus and the Enchanted Crystal, topped The New York Times' Best-Seller list for hardcover picture books for eleven consecutive weeks, further cementing his status as a star.
In terms of business partnerships, DanTDM has established long-term collaborations with several well-known brands, including Elgato. Elgato provides him with high-end streaming equipment that enhances his video quality and streaming experience. In a popular collaboration video, DanTDM showcased Elgato’s streaming PC, a gaming PC equipped with an RTX 3090 graphics card, and various accessories. This video garnered 2.68 million views and over 120,000 likes. Such videos not only highlight the performance of the equipment but also offer valuable insights for aspiring content creators.
Through these brand partnerships, DanTDM has not only secured additional revenue streams for himself but also provided significant exposure for Elgato’s products. Data shows that Elgato's electronics have gained considerable attention from gamers and content creators thanks to his endorsement, resulting in a notable increase in sales. DanTDM’s influence has strengthened the connection between brands and their audiences, creating substantial value for both parties.
That wraps up our spotlight on three game influencers for this week. If you're interested in exploring the audience profiles and commercial reports for your favorite influencers, SocialBook is here to help!
We have access to over 200 million influencers across North America, Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, Australia & New Zealand, the Middle East, and more. Covering industries like tech, e-commerce, gaming, finance, beauty, fashion, home decor, social media, food, and travel, we provide professional global marketing services for your brand.
