Ninja (gamer)

Richard Tyler Blevins, popularly known as Ninja, was born on June 5, 1991, in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He became one of the most influential gamers in the world, recognized for his exceptional skills in games such as Fortnite, Halo, and others. Ninja began his career in gaming professionally in the early 2010s and rose to fame through his entertaining streaming content.

In 2011, Ninja began live streaming on Twitch, a popular platform for gamers and content creators. This move was significant as it marked the beginning of his journey as a professional streamer, where he would eventually garner millions of followers and become one of Twitch's most subscribed channels.

In late 2017, Ninja began playing Fortnite Battle Royale, a game that quickly became a global phenomenon. His streams of Fortnite on Twitch and YouTube attracted millions of viewers, helping to catapult the game and Ninja himself into mainstream popularity, making him a household name as a Fortnite personality.

In a landmark event for online gaming and streaming, Ninja played Fortnite with rapper Drake, drawing more than 600,000 concurrent viewers. This event was significant in cementing Fortnite's popularity and Ninja's status as one of the most prominent figures in gaming and entertainment.

Ninja participated in the Fortnite Pro-Am tournament at E3 2018, teaming up with celebrity players. This event showcased Ninja's competitive skills and featured him alongside other renowned personalities, further underscoring the cultural impact of Fortnite and its players on mainstream entertainment and media.

In a surprising move, Ninja announced his decision to leave Twitch and stream exclusively on Mixer, a streaming platform owned by Microsoft. This strategic decision was aimed at providing fresh opportunities and revolutionizing his brand, even though Mixer was less established in the streaming industry compared to Twitch.

On June 22, 2020, Microsoft announced the shutdown of their streaming service Mixer, which left Ninja free to return to other platforms. This was a pivotal moment for Ninja as it opened new avenues for his streaming career, including opportunities to renegotiate and expand his presence on other platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

Ninja launched his YouTube gaming channel in July 2020, welcoming millions of subscribers. This move was not just to secure his digital presence but also to tap into a larger audience across diverse platforms, ensuring his engagement with fans and solidifying his status as a top gamer and influencer across the globe.

After the closure of Mixer, Ninja made a highly anticipated return to Twitch on September 10, 2020. The announcement and return marked a significant moment for him, allowing him to reclaim his place on the platform where he originally gained much of his popularity, rejuvenating his connection with over 16 million Twitch followers.

In 2023, Ninja won a Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Gamer, reflecting his continued popularity and influence in the gaming community. This award is an acknowledgment from his younger fanbase and reinforces his cultural presence, proving that he remains a significant player in the world of online entertainment and digital media.