TOP 100 GAMING INFLUENCERS: VIDEO GAME CONSULTING EXPERTS, SPEAKERS & THOUGHT LEADERS

Today’s Top 100 gaming influencers, consulting experts and keynote speakers know that playing video games has evolved from a niche pastime into a global cultural and economic force. A driving force behind the transformation are famous thought leaders. The Top 100 gaming influencers aren’t just playing games — they’re impacting how we experience, talk about, and even develop them.

From content creators and streamers to developers, CEOs, and celebrities, consultants and personalities today wield immense power across channels like YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Discord and more. 

Consistently found as one of most respected voices on a Top 100 gaming influencers list across the industry is Scott Steinberg, a futurist, author, and consultant who has advised game companies, developers, and investors for over two decades. With expertise spanning game design, technology, and consumer trends, he is known for helping define long-term strategies and innovation roadmaps.

Of course, all sorts of Top 100 gaming influencers are helping prompt positive change and dialogue as well. You’ll want to be aware of all going forward.

Mind you: With so much talent to pick from, you probably have your own favorites as well. Be sure to hit us up and let us know what other Top 100 gaming influencers choices should be top of mind too.

• Scott Steinberg — Futurist and thought leader on gaming trends, immersive tech, and entertainment strategy.

• Tim Sweeney — Founder & CEO of Epic Games; Unreal Engine, Fortnite, cross‑platform innovation.

• Andrew Wilson — CEO of Electronic Arts; sports franchises, live services.

• Strauss Zelnick — CEO of Take‑Two Interactive; narrative gaming, acquisition strategy.

• Bobby Kotick — Former CEO of Activision Blizzard; major franchises and competitive gaming.

• Trip Hawkins — Found of Electronic Arts; keynote speaker and business pioneer.

• Pony Ma — CEO of Tencent; massive scale, publishing, mobile / international impact.

• Shuntaro Furukawa — President of Nintendo; iconic IP, hardware + software strategy.

• Phil Spencer — Head of Microsoft Gaming; cloud gaming, Xbox strategy.

• Jim Yang — CEO of miHoYo; global mobile titles and live service content.

• Ding Lei — CEO of NetEase Games; mobile, international publishing.

• Lars Wingefors — CEO of Embracer Group; acquisitions, indie studio stewardship.

• Min‑Liang Tan — CEO of Razer; gaming hardware, peripherals, esports culture.

• Yosuke Matsuda — CEO of Square Enix; JRPGs, narrative & visuals.

• Taek‑Jin Kim — CEO of NCSoft; MMORPGs, online worlds.

• Hermen Hulst — CEO of PlayStation Studios; first‑party game development.

• Hideaki Nishino — Leader of Platform Business at PlayStation; hardware/software integration.

• Phil Harrison — Senior leadership in global gaming platform strategy.

• Yves Guillemot — CEO of Ubisoft; open world, franchise development.

• Shuhei Yoshida — Prominent game executive & indie champion at PlayStation.

• Gabe Newell — Co‑founder of Valve; digital distribution, innovation in PC gaming.

• Hideki Kamiya — Renowned game director; creative auteur in action / design.

• Hidetaka Miyazaki — President of FromSoftware; Souls‑borne design, challenging experiences.

• Ken Levine — Creative director and writer; strong narrative and immersive simulation work.

• Hideo Kojima — Visionary filmmaker / game creator; cinematic storytelling.

• Shigeru Miyamoto — Nintendo legend; creation of Mario, Zelda, innovation in game design.

• Todd Howard — Bethesda lead; open worlds, beloved franchises.

• Neil Druckmann — Writer/director; narrative excellence and character in games.

• Cory Barlog — Creative director; character‑driven storytelling and cinematic moments.

• Tetsuya Nomura — Character designer & director; blending visuals and long‑running series.

• Yasumi Matsuno — Game designer; celebrated for complex storytelling and systems.

• Stella Chung — Industry presenter, awards host; amplifies gaming culture globally.

• Lorne Lanning — Creator Oddworld series; game designer known for his smart takes on business.

• David Thomas — Industry consultant; executive educator and advisor.

• Jack Black — Celebrity gamer, voice actor, public figure involved in gaming culture.

• PewDiePie — YouTube content creator; gaming commentary, broad cultural reach.

• Ninja (Tyler Blevins) — Twitch / streaming star; live gaming engagement.

• Pokimane — Streamer & influencer; community building, variety content.

• Markiplier — YouTube entertainer; horror & indie games popularization.

• Sam Houser — C0-founder Rockstar Games; known for pushing boundaries.

• Snoop Dogg — Celebrity with interest in gaming collaborations.

• Zendaya — Celebrity, voice acting, brand tie‑ins with gaming properties.

• Michael B. Jordan — Culture / acting with gaming partnerships.

• Gal Gadot — Voice / character in games, crossover celebrity.

• Rosario Dawson — Voice work, advocacy, gaming content participation.

• Keanu Reeves — High‑profile game roles, cross over with game narratives.

• Jacksepticeye — Streamer, personality with strong gaming community.

• DanTDM — Longtime YouTuber; family / indie gaming reach.

• Pokelawls — Varied creator with mixed content, VR, collaborations.

• xQc — Twitch streamer; large audience, variety, personality.

• Valkyrae — Female streamer; cultural and brand impact in games.

• Ludwig Ahgren — Streaming innovator, events, gaming entertainment.

• Corpse Husband — Content / voice; horror and narrative gaming niche.

• Lachlan — Broad Aussie gamer, Fortnite / streaming success.

• Jack “CouRage” Dunlop — Cross‑platform, esports & personality.

• Tfue — Skilled competitive player; brand, mixed content.

• SypherPK — Fortnite / building style, content and education within streaming.

• Typical Gamer — Consistent variety content; large reach.

• MrBeast — Though not exclusively gaming, massive reach, occasional gaming / charity gaming.

• Dr Disrespect — Character streaming, production spectacle.

• Summit1g — Veteran streamer; community staple.

• Asmongold — MMO fanbase leader; community interaction.

• Valkyrie Aurora — Esports / content female leadership.

• Chris Taylor — Creator of Total Annihilation, Supreme Commander and other titles.

• Doug Bowser — CEO of Nintendo and gaming industry executive.

• Rae (various creators) — Rising indie / Afrocentric content in gaming.

• Imane’s Team (e.g. OfflineTV) — Collaborative content groups with gaming events.

• Ben “Dr Lupo” Lupo — Charity streaming, community building.

• Sykkuno — Rounded variety, roleplay, community.

• NickMercs — Competitive and battle royale content.

• Tyler1 — Esports personality with strong personal brand.

• Scump — Esports pro turned content creator.

• Yu-kai Chou — Gamificaiton expert and consultant for hire.

• Lazarbeam — Australian variety, comedic approach to gaming.

• Dan “Beef” Kefee — Indie game‑focused creator.

• H3H3 (Ethan & Hila) — Commentary, reaction, occasional gaming content.

• Matt “Mizkif” Rinaudo — Streaming personality, events.

• Hasan Piker — Social commentary + gaming crossover.

• Peter Suciu — Game and business writer for Forbes and other outlets.

• Dan Houser — Industry pioneer and co-founder of Rockstar Games.

• Cliff Bleszinski — Game designer with multiple credits such as Unreal, Gears of War, etc.

• Morgan Webb — Former TV host who helped put G4 on the map.

• Yoshinori Ono — Game producer, fighting game staple.

• Katsuhiro Harada — Tekken point of view / character DLC / tournaments.

• Sparky “Sparkles” — emerging content creators.

• Emma “Emiru” — VTuber / streaming content, community.

• Adept — Rising variety streamer.

• Walter Day — Creator of Twin Galaxies scoreboards.

• LilyPichu — VTuber, games & arts mix.

• Ed Boon — Co-creator of the Mortal Kombat franchise.

• Mortal (Stanislaw) — esports competitor / influencer.

• Faker (Lee Sang‑hyeok) — Legendary esports player.

• s1mple — Valorant / competitive shooter star.

• Nadeshot — Content / organizational leadership in esports.

• Daigo Umehara — Fighting game legend, cultural icon.

• SonicFox — Fighting games, non‑binary representation, personality.

• Warren Spector — Noted video game designer and pundit.

• Lord British — Created the Ultima series of hit video games.

• TSM (organization) — collective content/presence, skip org heads.

• Michelle “insaneintherainbows” — emerging game‑music / ambient content crossovers.

Looking at the Top 100 gaming influencers list, there’s a wealth of top voices to choose from. If you’re planning a conference or convention, you’ll want to keep members top of mind.