Image Credit: JD Lasica from Pleasanton, CA, US – Elon Musk, CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons
Elon Musk has built rockets, redefined electric cars, and picked fights with everyone from legacy media to rival billionaires. But lately, he’s added something else to his public resume—“gamer.” Between livestreams, leaked chats, and ambitious plans for an AI-powered game studio, Musk’s place in the gaming world is getting harder to ignore… even if not everyone’s buying the hype.
From Young Coder to Gaming Enthusiast
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Elon Musk’s foray into gaming began at age 12 when he developed a space-themed game called Blastar, earning $500 from its sale to a magazine. His passion for gaming persisted, with late-night sessions of titles like Elden Ring, even during significant business decisions like the acquisition of Twitter.
However, his gameplay choices, such as dual-wielding shields, have raised eyebrows among seasoned players. Musk’s interest is clear, but his actual skill level is still up for debate.
Livestreams and Public Scrutiny
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In April 2025, Musk livestreamed himself playing Path of Exile 2 from his private jet, attracting over 16 million viewers. Despite the impressive turnout, his performance—like getting knocked out by a tutorial boss—didn’t exactly scream “gaming legend.”
Critics were quick to question whether he was actually playing, with some speculating about account boosting or outside help. (Business Insider)
Admission of Account Boosting
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Allegations of Musk employing others to enhance his gaming accounts gained traction when a leaked chat transcript showed him acknowledging the use of account boosting. The move was meant to keep up with top-tier players—but it backfired when fans realized it wasn’t all skill.
That admission shook his credibility in the gaming space, especially among competitive players who value earned progress. (The Guardian)
The xAI Studio Play
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In response to criticism of today’s “corporate” games, Musk is reportedly building an AI-driven game studio under xAI. He’s even looking at acquiring Hasbro to secure rights to Dungeons & Dragons, aiming to develop titles with more depth and personality.
It’s an ambitious pivot, and while some fans are skeptical, others are intrigued by what Musk might bring to the table if he’s more behind-the-scenes than behind the controller. (Investor’s Business Daily)
Why This All Feels So On-Brand
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While Musk’s contributions to tech are hard to argue with, his gaming ventures are more complicated. There’s no doubt he loves games—but that doesn’t automatically make him a top-tier player.
Still, it tracks. Musk has always blurred the line between fanboy and disruptor. Whether his studio delivers or fizzles out, it’s likely he’ll stay in the gaming conversation—whether the players want him there or not.
