Boasting over 14 million Twitch followers and 40 million YouTube subscribers, Rubén Doblas Gundersen, better known by his online alias Rubius, stands tall as one of the most popular and highest-paid content creators worldwide.
But his wild journey to internet superstardom began humbly by posting absurdist gaming videos from his bedroom over 15 years ago.
In this extensive profile, we will dive deep on Rubius‘s origins, monumental growth as a streamer, gaming impact, income sources, controversies, and journey to becoming the face of Spanish internet culture.
Topics covered include:
- Rubius‘s early YouTube success and transition to streaming
- His gaming setup, gear, and impact on Spanish esports
- Income breakdown across platforms like Twitch and sponsorships
- Cultural influence beyond just gaming commentary
- Recent controversies around taxes and conduct
- Future outlook and plans for his channels
Let‘s explore the stellar rise of Spain‘s beloved meme-lord and premier gaming icon.
From Teenage YouTuber to Twitch Titan
Long before sold-out tournaments and million dollar contracts, Rubius began posting gaming videos on YouTube back in 2006 at just 16 years old. He provided humorous commentary while playing titles like Skyrim, Minecraft, and Grand Theft Auto V.
His early embrace of absurdist video editing and slapstick gamer rage earned a dedicated audience. By 2013, Rubius‘ YouTube channel had amassed over 2 million subscribers – establishing him as one of Spain‘s top creators.
Rubius riding 6 years of exponential growth on YouTube prior to focusing on streaming
Sensing Twitch‘s rise, Rubius announced his transition to full-time streaming in 2019 – setting the stage to carry his momentum to even greater heights.
Fast forward to today, and the Spanish gaming luminary has cultivated one of the platform‘s most loyal followings:
- 14+ million Twitch followers – 4th most of any channel
- 28,000+ Average concurrent viewers per stream in 2022
- 18,000+ Current subscribers providing $20k+/month income
- 364 million Lifetime views – in the top 0.01% of Twitch
Thanks to his magnetic charisma and diverse gaming palette, Rubius successfully converted his existing Spanish-speaking fanbase while expanding beyond regional confines to become a worldwide sensation.
Rubius‘s exponential subscriber and view growth on Twitch since 2019
Let‘s explore the streaming setup, gaming catalogue, and defining moments cementing Rubius‘s status as a generational talent.
Premium Streaming Setup Tailored for Performance
Live streaming demands crisp, lag-free footage rendered in real-time. To achieve professional grade production, Rubius utilizes top-of-the-line gear:
| Peripheral | Model + Specs |
|---|---|
| Mouse | Logitech G Pro X Superlight – 63g, 50 hour battery |
| Keyboard | SteelSeries Apex Pro – Adjustable actuation, OLED display |
| Headset | ASTRO A50 – Dolby Audio, 15 hour battery |
| GPU | EVGA RTX 4090 – 24GB VRAM, 16,384 CUDA cores |
| Monitor | ASUS ROG Swift PG279QM – 27", 240Hz |
This high-performance configuration allows Rubius to game and broadcast smoothly across graphics-intensive titles while interacting with his viewers.
The NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU in particular provides bleeding edge power to drive resolutions up to 4K 120FPS – crucial for rendering complex titles across two monitors.
Streaming software wise, Rubius uses OBS Studio paired with Elgato capture cards and the Stream Deck for managing his scenes and sources.
Equipped with gear tailored for live entertainment, let‘s showcase some iconic games shining on Rubius‘s channels.
Beloved Gamer – Cultivating Classics From Minecraft to Fortnite
While adept across modern genres like FPS, RPG, and horror, Rubius has always maintained a focus on fan-favorite franchises since the early days of his YouTube channel.
In fact, his longest running gaming series chronicles adventures across Mojang‘s industry defining sandbox – Minecraft:
A sampling of Rubius‘s over 3,000 Minecraft focused videos spanning 11+ years
His Minecraft content blazed trails early by introducing innovative modded game modes and humorous affection toward recurring characters like his wolf "Juan". Fans embraced Rubius‘s authentic expressions of glee and despair across endless treks.
Expanding beyond just pre-established franchises, Rubius has also been an early adopter of multiple genre phenomena over the years:
- One of the first Spanish creators to stream Fortnite after launch
- Among the most viewed Spanish channels driving Among Us into virality in 2020
- Helped popularize rising tactical shooter Valorant through highlight clips
In collaborating with fellow top creators like AuronPlay, Rubius catalyzed games into crossover mainstream attention. His worldwide tournaments like the 2018 Fortnite YTBattleRoyale spotlighted Spanish talent by setting viewing records above 1 million concurrent spectators.
Through landmark events and consistent variety beyond current gaming zeitgeists, Rubius nurtures titles over the long term – forging intimate, nostalgic connections with viewers that span eras.
Income Breakdown: How Rubius Stacks Millions
While championing Spanish gaming culture remains Rubius‘s authentic passion, financial motivations cannot be ignored given streaming‘s commercial viability at scale.
Let‘s analyze the key income streams allowing full-time gaming content creation:
| Revenue Source | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| Twitch Subscriptions | $20,000+/month |
| YouTube Ad Revenue | $875,000/year |
| Sponsorships | $75,000+ per dedicated brand deal |
| Merch Sales | 10-25% of items sold |
| Book Royalties | 650,000+ copies total sold |
Combining subscription income, lucrative sponsorships from elite brands like Logitech and Red Bull, and ancillary products like merchandising, Rubius‘s empire reportedly generates around $8 million per year.
For context, that places Rubius in the top 0.01% of Twitch‘s highest paid streamers – reaching an income tier obtaining luxury vehicles from streaming alone.
Of course his rise hasn‘t come without detours…
Taxing Controversies: Andorra Move and Toxic Behavior
Rubius‘s elite financial stratosphere has bred scrutiny, particularly surrounding his tax residency after moving to Andorra in 2021 – providing a discounted tax rate of 10% rather than Spain‘s 45% income tax.
While legal, the relocation provoked accusations of tax evasion from Spanish media given the preferential treatment. Some argued the luxury would be impossible without Spain‘s foundational support growing his career.
Criticism also emerged in 2020 when Rubius received a 7 day Twitch ban for throwing matches while streaming Valorant. Such conduct violated guidelines around sportsmanlike behavior.
However Rubius took accountability, citing mental duress and the difficulties balancing entertainment pressures with gaming integrity. His transparency maintained his community‘s resounding support.
Lasting Cultural Legacy: Catalyzing Catchphrases and Careers
Mild controversies aside, Rubius‘s vibrant influence permeates Spanish culture exponentially broader than gaming commentary alone.
His videos and streams have spawned ubiquitous catchphrases, resonant reactions, and beloved fictional personas embraced across generations:
- "Mis dieses" – Cheeky expression of cocky dominance frequently referenced
- [Distinctive Screams](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBLdQ1a4-JI) – His reactions to jump scares provide catharsis through shared experience
- WillyRex – Fictional avatar acted out in comedic sketches and songs
Such memetic moments crystallize Rubius‘s cultural penetration. He manifests both as Spain‘s prototypical boisterous gamer while also larger than life cartoon caricature.
Fans even credit his early popularity for inspiring their own streaming careers. As 2022‘s most viewed domestic Twitch channel, his aspirational journey helps signal viability for international personalities.
What‘s Next for Spain‘s Biggest Streamer?
At just 33 years old, Rubius shows zero signs of slowing down as he expands beyond gaming into wider internet culture:
- Among Twitch‘s most viewed channels in 2022 across categories
- Launched NFT and web3 fund PLAY The FUTURE
- Publishing label partnerships and TV opportunities
While some critics argue streamers possess ephemeral careers, Rubius demonstrates longevity through consistent reinvention and crossover appeal.
Far beyond Let‘s Plays, he embodies Spanish gaming culture itself – driving trends onscreen while enabling the next generation behind the scenes.
Boasting financial and cultural influence most entertainers dream of, Rubius has defined an era for Spanish internet entertainment through gaming content creation excellence.
