Since 2010, the Esports scene has boomed, gaining more traction than ever and inspiring a whole new generation to spectate and even take part in competitive gaming. It is an industry that has grown so much over recent years that it is becoming more widely accepted by society as an official, competitive scene, just as much as any sport. This has also impacted other sectors, such as the gambling industry, providing an option to bet on competitive Esports and play slots at Lottomart. So today, we will be taking a look at the biggest names in Esports since 2010, based on influence and impact on the industry.
Lee Sang-hyeok ‘Faker’
Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as Faker, is a South Korean-born professional gamer who is often considered one of the greatest League of Legends players of all time, beginning his professional journey in 2013. The 6x World Champion has represented T1 for his entire career, picking up championships as early as 2013 and as recently as 2025, highlighting his longevity. Faker has influenced so many new Esports and League of Legends fans, who were awarded the first-ever Esports World Cup title in 2024, a well-deserved and fitting honour.
Kyle ‘Bugha’ Giersdorf
Fortnite had pushed itself to the forefront of the competitive scene in the late 2010s and early 2020s, which was mainly the result of the Fortnite World Cup in 2019, with the number 1 spot claiming roughly $3 million. Kyle Giersdorf, also known as Bugha, was the person to take home this total, which had reached mainstream media and brought plenty of attention to the Esports industry. Since then, Bugha has claimed 3 FNCS titles, as well as switched allegiances from Sentinels to Dignitas, continuing to play competitively and focus on his career in content creation.
Oleksandr ‘S1mple’ Kostyliev
Regarded as one of the greatest CSGO players of all time, and undoubtedly one of the biggest influences in growing the scene, Oleksandr Kostyliev, known online as S1mple, is a player who has strived for many years in Esports. S1mple has made the transition over to CSGO 2 to continue his competitive journey in 2025, 11 years after he made his initial debut. He’s represented some of the top teams in the industry, including Team Liquid, Natus Vincere, and recently enjoyed a loan at the very famous Faze Clan. S1mple has, and continues, to influence the Esports world, bringing new fans to CSGO and attention to the competitive gaming scene as a whole.
Felix ‘xQc’ Lengysel
Now known as one of the top streamers and content creators in the gaming industry, Felix Lenhysel is also one of the most recognisable figures online. Known as xQc, he played a vital role in developing the competitive Overwatch scene, becoming one of the better players within his role. His Esports career may have been dashed with some controversies, but he will be remembered as one of the best Overwatch players since his retirement from the competitive scene. XQc continues to pick up awards and even meets figures such as Donald Trump, further expanding the gaming industry as a whole.
Johan ‘N0tail’ Sundstein
Joham Sundstein, known online as N0tail, is considered one of the greatest Dota 2 players of all time. Starting his gaming career on Heroes of Newerth for Fnatic, N0tail moved to Dota 2 in 2012 due to the rise in popularity of the game.
This decision would be huge in terms of Sundstein’s progression in Esports, becoming one of the most dominant players in Dota 2, playing in some of the top teams, including Team Secret, Cloud9, and currently, OG since 2015. The 2x International Champion and 4x Dota Major Champion continues to shine, highlighting his longevity, and can be credited for being a very influential figure when it comes to the development of the competitive scene.
Michael ‘Shroud’ Grzesiek
Much like xQc, Michael ‘Shroud’ Grezesiek is a retired competitive Esports player, who not only changed the competitive gaming scene, but has also become one of the most influential streamers and content creators in the modern day. Shroud has built an audience online from streaming a variety of games ever since his initial retirement from CSGO in 2017, after spending 4 years on the scene, 3 of which with Cloud9. In addition to being one of the top streamers, Shroud attempted to make a return to competitive gaming in Valorant with Sentinels, which didn’t last long, beginning and ending his journey in 2022. Nowadays, he continues to inspire with his content and streams, bringing new audiences to the gaming industry.
Conclusion
There are so many names that could have been mentioned on this list who have inspired new generations, brought countless iconic moments, and captivated new viewers. The future of Esports is in safe hands, with so many new professionals flooding the scene, bringing with them new audiences and headlines that will only develop the industry further.
