5 Esports Games That Have Unbelievable Payouts

If there was ever a time to saddle up and embark on an epic quest from rags to riches, then this would be it. Thanks to the evolving world of Esports, professional gamers and their hard-working teams are now some of the richest people in the known world. But with great wealth, of course, comes a ludicrous amount of responsibility. Like, having to devote yourself to the grind day in, day out, just to obtain a few essential pockets of knowledge, for example.

It's no easy feat, becoming a pro gamer, and it's actually incredibly rare that you'll find a gamer that hasn't worked half of their life just to be where they are today, shrouded in prize money and bragging rights. But it's a worthy payoff, especially when you know what idles at the far end of the rainbow. And when we say worthy payoff, what we really mean is, we'd give a left leg just to get a glimpse of it. Just use these five cash-loving online games to whet your appetite, and you'll see what the fuss is all about.

5. Dota 2

It's no secret that Dota 2 is passively loved by pretty much anyone who steps within twenty feet of it. In fact, its popularity is so colossal, that its Esports tournament organizers have to fork out millions of dollars for prizes each passing year. And that's just The International, an event that pulls all of the best teams from around the world and pits them against one another. 2021 alone, believe it or not, awarded the team that scored first place a total of $18.2 million.

The reason for the ridiculously high stakes, of course, boils down to the complexity of the game itself. Although coined as a 5v5 RTS title that's easy to spectate, its mechanics, on the other hand, run a lot deeper, as does its extensive roster of playable heroes. Let it be told that understanding every nook and cranny behind it isn't an overnight process. But learn to master it, however, and you could wind up a million dollars richer. $18.2 million, apparently.

4. Fortnite

It's true, Fortnite has hosted its fair share of self-made millionaires over the years, many of whom have earned their fortune through simply winning a number of tournaments in the battle royale phenomenon. Winning big in one of Epic Games' events, of course, does often topple the $3 million marker, as few have gone on to prove since the game branched out to the Esports domain a little ways back.

Battle royale games have become all the rage these days, though nothing sticks as hard as the Epic Games entry. Fortnite is adored by millions, played by the vast majority of gamers, and used as grounds for competition more than any other game on the planet. But then, with such high prize pools, it really is no wonder so many flock to it to sharpen their skills for the main stage.

3. League of Legends

League of Legends certainly isn't light on complexities, which is why only a select few can understand it to its fullest extent and make money out of it. Although relatively easy to pick up from the outside looking in, playing the epic arena game does involve far more than a few run-of-the-mill tutorials. Mastering it, on the other hand, requires a loyal mind with utmost tenacity, which is why so many have faltered along the way.

Learning how to fend off some of the biggest teams in League of Legends can net you anywhere from a cool thousand to a whopping $3 million. Even taking part and coming dead last nets a team $30,000. So, well worth the price of admission, providing you don't mind embarking on a lengthy quest to master the craft beforehand.

2. Honor of Kings

Honor of Kings may be a little dated compared to other games under the Esports banner, but that hasn't taken much of an effect on its reputation, seeing as tournaments are still very much alive and kicking seven years down the line. And as far as prize pools go, the battle arena title still boasts some of the loftiest scores to ever grace the platform—even in 2022.

The king of the MOBO faction here lies with none other than Honor of Kings, and for good reason. Not only does it garner a global backing, but also some pretty nifty prize pools, many of which have gone on to crush the $5 million-plus milestone. Just last year, QG Happy waltzed away with the grand prize of $3.2 million out of a $7 million pool for winning the Honor of Kings World Champion Cup. On that note, Honor of Kings outranks the majority of its MOBO rivals, setting a benchmark in the kingdom of Esports high rollers.

1. PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds

As much as we love Fortnite and all its cartoon-heavy antics, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds somehow just hits harder, particularly when it boils down to the gameplay itself. Opting for a realistic approach with a number of life-like qualities, the beloved battle royale entry employs the hearts of millions, making it one of the most successful online games on the market.

Speaking of Esports, though, the arena hit has been known to boast some pretty eye-watering prize pools in its time. For example, just last year the PUBG Global Invitational hosted 32 of the best teams on the block, three of which strolled away with a little over a million dollars in winnings. Now, if that isn't an incentive to pick up PUBG and take it for a spin, then we don't know what is.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.