Tyler Blevins, better known as “Ninja,” went from a small-time gamer to becoming the biggest name in video game streaming in 2018. Blevins began his gaming career playing Halo professionally in 2009 before moving to Twitch in 2011. His popularity exploded in 2017 after transitioning to Fortnite and collaborating with popular streamers like DrLupo and TimTheTatman. In 2018, his celebrity status increased after playing Fortnite with Drake. Ninja then capitalized on his stardom by building his brand, creating his merchandise line, and becoming an ambassador for Red Bull and Samsung. Despite switching to Mixer and its shutdown, Ninja recently returned to Twitch and continues to be an influential figure and role model for the gaming community.

Ninja: From Small-Time Streamer to Fortnite King

In 2017, Tyler Blevins – better known as “Ninja” – was just another gamer trying to grow his audience on the live-streaming platform, Twitch. However, in 2018, he became the biggest name in the world of video game streaming. How did he do it? Here is the story of how Ninja went from small-time streamer to Fortnite king.

Early Career

Tyler Blevins began his gaming career in 2009, playing Halo professionally. He also dabbled in other games, like World of Warcraft and Call of Duty, but it wasn’t until 2011 that he started streaming on Twitch. At first, his audience was small and he struggled to grow his following. But he kept at it, streaming for hours every day.

Transition to Fortnite

In September 2017, Fortnite Battle Royale was released and Ninja saw an opportunity. The game’s popularity was skyrocketing and he decided to switch his focus to Fortnite. He found success playing the game and his audience began to grow. He also started collaborating with other popular streamers, like DrLupo and TimTheTatman, which helped boost his following even further.

The Drake Effect

In March 2018, Ninja was playing Fortnite with several other popular streamers when he was joined by none other than Drake – yes, the Grammy-winning rapper. The two played together for several hours, and the stream was watched by over 600,000 people, breaking a Twitch record. The event became known as the “Drake effect” and put Ninja in the mainstream spotlight. He was even featured on The Ellen Show and named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people.

Building a Brand

Ninja capitalized on his newfound fame by building his brand. He launched his own merchandise line and began streaming for up to 12 hours a day. He also became an ambassador for companies like Red Bull and Samsung. And he didn’t just stream Fortnite – he also tried new games and collaborated with other content creators across various platforms.

Switch to Mixer and Return to Twitch

In August 2019, Ninja surprised fans by announcing that he was leaving Twitch to stream exclusively on Mixer, Microsoft’s rival streaming platform. He was reportedly paid a significant amount of money for the deal. However, in August 2020, Microsoft announced that Mixer would be shutting down and Ninja was released from his contract. He then returned to Twitch in September 2020, to the excitement of his dedicated fanbase.

Continued Success

Even with the ups and downs of his career, Ninja continues to be a prominent figure in the gaming community. He is a role model for aspiring streamers and gamers, and has even done charity work through his streams, raising thousands of dollars for causes like mental health awareness and COVID-19 relief efforts. His success shows that with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of luck, anyone can achieve their goals.