The Call of Duty Players Drowning in Prize Money

With the long life that Call of Duty esports has had so far, many players have been able to make large financial gains through the years to support themselves. Begining with Call of Duty: Black Ops III and currently in the midst of Call of Duty: WWII, the Call of Duty World League (CWL) has brought a more stable schedule and larger prize pools for the professional scene, among other additions. Each year has seen major increases in the amount of prize money that can be won in the Call of Duty scene. We take a look at the top five players with the most prize money earned in professional Call of Duty.

5. Matthew "Formal" Piper

The former Halo player turned Call of Duty professional, Formal has been on the winning side of mutlitple grand finals and with this has gained a very large amount of prize money for himself. The talented player has earned a total of $524,194.68 from 103 tournaments played. 2017 saw the OpTic Gaming star earn $294,550.00 from 16 tournaments. 2015 would be the second most successful year for Formal, as he would win $98,770 from 43 tournaments. Formal will be looking to help add some more wealth to his and the rest of his teammates' pockets for the Call of Duty: WWII season. 

4. Seth "Scump" Abner

One of the most talented players to play professional Call of Duty, Scump has seen a good deal of success in his career. Helping OpTic Gaming to mutliple championships, Scump has earned a large amount of prize money for his efforts. He has earned a total of $533,243.68 from 108 tournaments played. 2017 was his highest earning year, as the Infinite Warfare season saw Scump earn $269,500 from 14 tournaments played. $150,000 of his earnings came from winning the 2017 CWL Championship. 2018 will be a year that Scump looks to add even more to his already impressive earnings. 

3. Jordan "JKap" Kaplan

JKap is one of the many talented and active verterans to earn a living in professional Call of Duty. He has earned a total of $565,367.98 from 72 tournaments played. 2016 was the player's highest earning year as he secured $230,332.50 from 11 tournaments played. 2015 was JKap's second highest earning year with a total of $120,875.00 won from 27 tournaments. With the talented roster that currently joins him on Luminsoity Gaming, JKap will be looking to increase his large amount of winnings even more in Call of Duty: WWII.

2. Ian "Crimsix" Porter

One of the most storied players in professional Call of Duty history, Crimsix has won a whole host of championships that have earned him a large sum of prize money over the years. Crimsix has earned a total of $631,101.14 from 112 tournamnets played. His highest earning year coincides with his teammates on this list, as he saw the same $269,500 make its way into his checkbook. 2014 was Crimsix's second highest earning year, as the former member of the compLexity Gaming/Evil Geniuses' dynasty would collect a total of $125,053.01 from 23 tournamnets played. Crimsix will be looking for Call of Duty: WWII to be as financially positive as past games have been for him.

1. Damon "Karma" Barlow

A three time world champion, Karma has won the lion's share of many prize pools in his career. Karma has earned $647,847.25 from 87 tournaments played. Like his OpTic teammates, 2017 was his highest earning year with $269,500 from 14 tournaments, but the accomplished player has seen multiple years of over $100,000, which was earned back in 2013 and 2014. Playing for the likes of Fariko Impact, compLexity Gaming and Evil Geniuses, Karma has achieved victory with many of the best teams in professional Call of Duty history. 

Talent and hard work brought these five players a good financial earning for being highly successful at the game they love, and the ability to make it a career that could support them. With the Call of Duty: WWII season in full swing, do not be surprised to see these five players continue to add their already impressive winnings.

(All figures shown were collected from esportsearnings)

Interested in seeing how much other esports players have earned? Check out our list of the Overwatch players who have won the most prize money.

(cover photo couretsy of Team EnVyUs)