

gaming
Mario would earn £32,895 as an Italian plumber – which video game characters would be the richest if they had real-life jobs?
- At the top of the rich list is Borderland’s corporate president ‘Handsome Jack’ with an equally handsome salary of £333,043 per year.
- Super Mario ranks among the lowest earners, taking home £32,895 per year on a typical plumber’s salary in Italy.
- Pac-Man earns the lowest salary of all characters as a security guard in Japan, bringing in just £15,916 per year.
From Super Mario to Lara Croft, have you ever wondered where your favorite video game protagonists and villains would rank in the real-world job market?
Online gaming platform Solitaired looked at some of the world’s most iconic video game characters and calculated how much each would earn if they landed their real-world dream job. They based character earnings on data from salary comparison sites as well as publicly available pay bands to find an average yearly salary for more than 50 video game characters.
Video Games’ Highest Earners
- Handsome Jack, Borderlands 2
At the top spot is Borderland’s narcissistic bad-guy, Handsome Jack, who would take home an eye watering £333,043 per year as a corporate CEO. While Hyperion Corp is fortunately yet to be founded, it seems only fitting that as the fictional president of an intergalactic weapons manufacturer and supplier, Jack would take home such a huge paycheck.
- Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid
In at second place is Metal Gear Solid’s eye-patch sporting Solid Snake, who would take home an impressive salary of £107,517 per year as a Special Forces Soldier for the US Army. Snake, who boasts an impressive military career, was initially inducted into the Green Berets during his teenage years before later joining Big Boss’ special forces unit, FOXHOUND, meaning he would be substantially compensated for his acquired specialist skills.
- Albert Wesker, Resident Evil
In third place is Resident Evil’s Albert Wesker, who would earn a salary of £90,519 per year as a virologist. Having graduated at 17 with a doctorate in Virology, Wesker originally began his training with Umbrella Pharmaceuticals and was later transferred to the Arklay Laboratory as a senior researcher working on the t-Virus project, following the disbanding of his training school.
- Alex Mason, Call of Duty
In fourth place is Call of Duty veteran and fan favorite, Alex Mason. Mason is unlikely to have trouble remembering these numbers, as he stacks up an impressive £82,317 per year as an Intelligence Analyst for the CIA. Mason, who makes his first appearance as the main playable character in Call of Duty: Black Ops, joined the CIA Operation 40 squad in 1958 and continued to carry out several missions for the CIA despite his imprisonment and brainwashing at Vorkuta.
- Max Payne, Max Payne
In fifth place is the titular action avenger Max Payne, who would earn £75,922 per year as a police detective in New York City. Payne began his police career in the 1990s, working for the NYPD as a detective before joining DEA colleague Alex Balder on the Valkyr drug case, following the brutal murder of his wife and daughter in 1998.
The 20 Highest Earning Video Game Characters
Rank | Video Game Character | Video Game | Job/Occupation | Yearly Salary (£) | Yearly Salary ($) |
1. | Handsome Jack | Borderlands 2 | CEO | £333,043 | $432,524 |
2. | Solid Snake | Metal Gear Solid | Special Forces Soldier | £107,517 | $139,632 |
3. | Albert Wesker | Resident Evil | Virologist | £90,519 | $117,557 |
4. | Alex Mason | Call of Duty | CIA Operative | £82,317 | $106,905 |
5. | Max Payne | Max Payne | NYPD Detective | £75,922 | $98,600 |
6. | Cole Phelps | LA Noire | LAPD Detective | £71,846 | $93,306 |
7. | Gordon Freeman | Half-Life | Research Associate Scientist | £70,145 | $91,097 |
8. | Arthur Morgan | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Bounty Hunter | £69,750 | $90,585 |
9. | Mortimer Goth | The Sims | Scientist | £69,076 | $89,709 |
10. | Isaac Clarke | Dead Space | Engineer | £64,859 | $84,232 |
11. | Duke Nukem | Duke Nukem | CIA Special Agent | £62,837 | $81,607 |
12. | CJ Johnson | Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Entrepreneur | £59,626 | $77,436 |
13. | Bella Goth | The Sims | Intelligence Researcher | £58,363 | $75,796 |
14. | Michael De Santa | Grand Theft Auto V | Film Producer | £54,563 | $70,861 |
15. | Leon S Kennedy | Resident Evil | Police Officer | £54,113 | $70,276 |
16. | Homer Simpson | Simpson’s Hit and Run | Nuclear Technician | £53,629 | $69,648 |
17. | Master Chief | Halo | Master Chief Petty Officer | £53,491 | $69,469 |
18. | Doom Slayer | Doom | Marine’s Master Gunnery Sergeant | £53,490 | $69,468 |
19. | Sam Fisher | Splinter Cell | Navy Seal | £48,729 | $63,284 |
20. | Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine | Resident Evil | SWAT Team Member | £48,158 | $62,543 |
Video Games’ Lowest Earners
- Pac-Man, Pac-Man
At the bottom of the list, Pac-Man take the spot as the lowest earner, with a salary of just £15,916 per year as a security guard in Japan – where the character first debuted. While the creators don’t specify that Pac-Man has a job per se, the role seems fitting given the Namco classic shows the yellow sprite navigating through mazes trying to get rid of unwanted ghost intruders.
- Link, Legend of Zelda
Second from the bottom is Legend of Zelda’s hero and protagonist, Link, who would earn only £19,661 per year as a knight – if the job were to still exist. A knight was paid an average of two shillings per day during the 1200s, which means that Link would take home just over £19k when taking into consideration currency conversions and increases in inflation.
- Cloud Strife, Final Fantasy VII
The third lowest earner is Cloud Strife from the Final Fantasy series who would earn £19,964 per year as a Private First-Class Soldier in the US Army. Cloud was unsuccessful in joining SOLDIER, instead becoming a Shinra infantryman, hence justifying the lower pay band for our sword wielding fighter.
- Desmond Miles, Assassin’s Creed
As the fourth lowest earner in the list, Assassin’s Creed’s modern day main character, Desmond Miles, would earn just £21,408 per year as a bartender in New York City. Desmond, who is the descendant of a long line of assassins, used his training to hitchhike to New York City, where he worked as a bartender at Bad Weather before his eventual capture.
- Ryu, Street Fighter
At fifth from the bottom is the main character of the Street Fighter series, Ryu, who would bring home just £21,723 as a martial arts instructor in Japan. Ryu made his first appearance in Capcom’s original Street Fighter game in 1987, and while his name roughly translates to ‘plentiful’ in Japanese, the same cannot be said for his expected salary.
The 20 Lowest Earning Video Game Characters
Rank | Video Game Character | Video Game | Job/Occupation | Yearly Salary (£) | Yearly Salary ($) |
1 | Pac-Man | Pac-Man | Security Guard | £15,916 | $20,670 |
2 | Link | Legend of Zelda | Knight | £19,661 | $25,533 |
3 | Cloud Strife | Final Fantasy | Private First-Class Soldier | £19,964 | $25,927 |
4 | Desmond Miles | Assassin’s Creed | Bartender | £21,408 | $27,802 |
5 | Ryu | Street Fighter | Martial Arts Instructor | £21,723 | $28,212 |
6 | Marcus Fenix | Gears of War | Army Sergeant | £24,119 | $31,324 |
7 | Don Lothario | The Sims | Medical Intern | £24,784 | $32,187 |
8 | Geralt of Rivia | The Witcher | Pest Controller | £24,906 | $32,345 |
9 | Niko Bellic | Grand Theft Auto IV | Taxi Driver | £25,521 | $33,144 |
10 | Lightning | Final Fantasy | Security Guard | £29,084 | $37,771 |
11 | Crash Bandicoot | Crash Bandicoot | Bodyguard | £29,670 | $38,533 |
12 | John Marston | Red Dead Redemption | Rancher | £32,770 | $42,559 |
13 | Mario | Super Mario Bros | Plumber | £32,895 | $42,721 |
14 | Tom Nook | Animal Crossing | Real Estate Agent | £33,812 | $43,912 |
15 | Isabelle | Animal Crossing | Secretary | £34,071 | $44,248 |
16 | Freddy Fazbear | Five Nights at Freddy’s | Mascot | £35,078 | $45,556 |
17 | Captain John ‘Soap’ MacTavish | Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare | Army Sergeant | £35,953 | $46,692 |
18 | Booker DeWitt | Bioshock Infinite | Private Investigator | £36,000 | $46,753 |
19 | Spyro | Spyro the Dragon | Jeweler | £36,516 | $47,424 |
20 | Sonic the Hedgehog | Sonic the Hedgehog | Professional Athlete | £36,592 | $47,522 |
Honorable Mentions
Some character earnings meant that they ranked elsewhere in the list, however some are so iconic that it would be a shame to miss them out entirely.
Given Super Mario’s Italian heritage, he would earn a salary of £32,895 working as a plumber in Italy, ranking him 41st in the list. Elsewhere in Europe, Tomb Raider’s female lead Lara Croft ranks 27th, earning a salary of £41,998 working as a British archaeologist.
While Sonic the Hedgehog isn’t currently on the job hunt, based on his ability to run at supersonic speeds, it is only fitting that he would earn a salary of £36,592 as a professional athlete. Although he may have to wait a few years before he is eligible to earn, as the creators suggest he is only 15 years old.
Pokémon’s Pikachu would be perfectly suited to a job as a detective given his latest movie role, earning him £37,282 per year – although considering his element type, he would also make for a great electrician. His trainer and best friend, Ash Ketchum, would just top Pikachu’s earnings, taking home £41,327 as a Research Fellow for Professor Cerise.
gaming
Investment Opportunities in the Multi-billion-dollar Gaming Sector

The Gaming industry is growing day by day. It has already become a global entertainment giant. From sweeping open-world quests to quick, addictive mobile games, the industry has expanded into a multi-billion-dollar giant.
The global gaming industry was valued at over £135 billion ($184 billion) in 2023 and is projected to reach £184 billion ($250 billion) in 2030. It is driven by cloud gaming, which eliminates the need for costly consoles, high-speed internet, and immersive technologies like VR and AR. Revenues from VR gaming alone in 2023 exceeded £1.9 billion ($2.6 billion), and the AR gaming business is set to grow at a pace of over 30% annually.
The transition from physical to digital is virtually complete: in large markets, over 90% of games sold today are digital, with downloads, live services, and subscriptions replacing cartridges and discs.
Alternative Ways to Invest in Gaming
The gaming industry is not merely a business of copying the most recent blockbusting release; it’s a rich, diverse ecosystem with several streams of revenue, from historic game publishing to aggressive esports and the burgeoning betting and online gambling sector. Today’s investors are able to access entertainment-oriented and wagering-led segments, each with their distinct risk and reward profiles.
Video Game Development & Publishing
Envision house brands behind the mega-franchises of Call of Duty, FIFA or The Legend of Zelda. These brands have enormous fan bases and generate revenue that stretches far past the initial buy, with in-game purchases, downloadable packs and subscription content keeping gamers engaged and expenditures year-round.
Esports
Esports have now evolved from casual living-room games to multi-million-dollar tournaments streamed live in front of a global audience. Internet gambling on esports competitions is also becoming a niche but growing market, offering a new source of revenue for both organisers and financiers.
Online Betting & Casinos
This segment is focused on convenience, accessibility and growing demand for real-money play. Online gaming sites and casinos are taking advantage of more lenient rules in key markets, so that they now represent a more mainstream and profitable part of the gaming economy.
Spotlight on Online Gambling
Online casinos are no longer merely whirring slot machines; they’re pushing boundaries. Some of the top 20 online casinos have gone beyond traditional slots and table games, incorporating esports betting, skill-based game challenges and interactive live dealer games.
Why does that matter to investors? Easy. It signals flexibility. These platforms are captivating players where they are: at their phones, on streaming websites, and in hybrid entertainment spaces that blur the line between socialising and gaming. This flexibility is what can keep revenue streams consistent even when trends shift.
Why Investors are Paying Attention
The gaming market has something that a lot of others envy: loyal consumers who are spenders on a regular basis. It’s £3 ($5) on a character skin or £36 ($50) on a new game, but the spend is cumulative, and it doesn’t evaporate during poor economies.
And gaming pervades everywhere. A hit title in Japan can find fans in Brazil in days. And for companies, that global reach means multiple streams of revenue and endless room to grow.
Risks in Investment
There is no investment without risk. Regulations change overnight, especially in online gaming. Game developers also come and go with their biggest hit; one flop can jerk their stock price. And in this competitive environment, being new is a never-ending struggle.
Gaming Investment Strategies
Diversify among multiple corners of the sector. That way, you’re not betting everything on one game or one trend. Gaming-focused ETFs deserve a look as well if you enjoy a pre-packaged solution that spreads the risk.
The post Investment Opportunities in the Multi-billion-dollar Gaming Sector appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
gaming
German Games Market Grows in the First Half of 2025

The German games market has returned to growth: following a year in which revenue from games, games hardware and online gaming services declined for the first time after many years of growth, the first six months of 2025 have once again seen an increase in sales revenue. 4.6 billion euros in revenue was generated, which equates to an increase of 4% compared to the same period in the previous year.
This was announced by game – The German Games Industry Association at a press conference in advance of the opening of gamescom next week. The sources of this data are the market research firm YouGov and data.ai (a Sensor Tower company). Games hardware enjoyed the biggest increase during the first half of 2025. Propelled among other things by the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, revenues in this area grew by 17%. The online gaming services market segment also increased, by 4%. Games, on the other hand, experienced a small decline of 2%, to 2.7 billion euros.
“The German games market’s growth in the first six months of 2025 sends a powerful signal for the start of gamescom. This year’s event has also set a new record for the number of exhibitors. Combined with the increase in exhibition space and the many top companies expected to attend this year’s event, gamescom is set to drive even more growth in the German and international games market. This year’s theme – ‘Games – perfect entertainment’ – is fully in keeping with this boost, as 44 million Germans view games as the entertainment of our age. And not just for themselves: the vast majority of video game players believe that games are particularly good for bringing people of all ages together. It is yet another way that gamescom will be the perfect place to be,” said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association, which is a co-organiser of gamescom.
The theme of gamescom 2025 – “Games – perfect entertainment” – reflects the reality in Germany, as was underscored by the findings of a representative survey conducted by the market research company YouGov: some two thirds of Germans consider video games to be the entertainment of our age. This equates to around 44 million people. It is a finding that is also supported by the experiences of the people playing video games. Nearly all of them say that they enjoy playing games (94%), find them entertaining (93%), and see them as a good way to relax (91%). In fact, 86% of video game players say that games put them in a good mood, and 8 in 10 players spend less time thinking about crises or worries thanks to games.
The average age of video game players in Germany is now nearly 40 – and it is continuing to rise. This is because the largest increases in the number of players are in the older age groups. Games have long since established themselves as a medium for all generations. The video game players think so, too: 85% of them say that games offer something for every age group, while 88% enjoy playing with other family members. 79% of players in Germany believe that games can help to bring younger and older people together, and three quarters of players think that playing games together as a family can help people to gain a better understanding of digital media.
The post German Games Market Grows in the First Half of 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Anton Umnov
Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open

The Avalanche Foundation and Helika, a leading provider of technical and creative solutions for the video games industry, have officially launched their joint video game accelerator program and opened applications for the first cohort.
The newly announced strategic partnership is designed to engage both Web3-native studios and traditional game developers exploring blockchain integration. The accelerator aims to identify and support the next generation of studios building at the frontier of blockchain-based gaming.
The program is focused on product interaction and is designed to discover, support, and fast-track promising studios and projects building on the Avalanche blockchain. It will provide selected projects with unparalleled access to resources, mentorship from industry leaders, technical support, activations, and funding opportunities for qualifying or top-performing teams.
The accelerator is open to seasoned teams building high-quality, engaging experiences across platforms, from mobile to desktop and everything in between. Projects with prior traction or cross-platform aspirations are especially encouraged to apply.
The program will run for 3 months, with virtual onboarding and IRL showcases planned across major gaming and blockchain events.
What selected teams get:
Funding & Resources: $25,000 in initial support and up to $125,000 in additional funding for qualifying or top-performing teams.
Expert Guidance: Mentorship from game veterans, blockchain experts, and industry leaders through group sessions and 1:1 consultations.
Analytics Support: Comprehensive analytics solutions to track performance, improve retention, and optimize monetization strategies.
Blockchain Integration: Dedicated assistance for integrating with the Avalanche blockchain and optimizing technical performance.
Community & Growth: Activations with partner communities and platforms and support in player acquisition, community building, go-to-market strategies.
Helika Advisory Access: Access to specialized experts from Helika’s network for tailored support.
Ecosystem Access: Direct connection to a vibrant network of developers, investors, publishers, and Web3 enthusiasts.
Showcase Opportunities: A final Demo Day event to present games to investors, publishers, and ecosystem partners.
“We are excited to partner with the Avalanche Foundation to create a world-class accelerator for Web3 gaming. Avalanche’s robust and scalable infrastructure makes it an ideal environment for innovative game development. Studios need tools that work, data that matter, and real support from people who understand what it means to build in this space — this accelerator provides all of that, plus a direct line into a powerful Web3 ecosystem,” said Anton Umnov, Founder and CEO of Helika.
“Avalanche is focused on the long game. There’s no shortage of flashy ideas. What’s missing is the support that helps studios turn those ideas into real, playable, scalable games. Avalanche has long been the go-to chain for speed and innovation, and now we’re channeling that energy into the future of gaming, supporting teams who understand the nuance of player experience, community building, and long-term value creation,” said Parker Heath, Ava Labs Gaming Partnerships Lead.
Avalanche plays host to a vibrant lineup of video games, including Off The Grid and Maple Story Universe, all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in blockchain-powered play. Thanks to its customizable Avalanche L1s, lightning-fast transaction speeds and low fees, developers can tailor unique environments for their games without compromising on user experience.
Helika has become a cornerstone for modern game studios, equipping developers with real-time insights into player behavior, on-chain economies, and engagement metrics. From Proof of Play and Parallel to Nexon, Ubisoft, and Com2Us, Helika’s platform is shaping how developers build, balance, and scale their games in real-time. This accelerator takes that impact further by embedding support into the earliest stages of development when it matters most.
The post Avalanche and Helika Launch New Gaming Accelerator – Applications Now Open appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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