SSundee Net Worth: How the Gaming Influencer Earns $28 Million from YouTube
SSundee (Ian Marcus Stapleton) is a gaming YouTuber with a net worth of $28 million as of 2026. Born December 2, 1987, in Michigan, of Irish and African descent, he monetizes through YouTube AdSense, merchandise sales, brand partnerships, and his gaming studio DoubleJump. With 25.2 million subscribers and 16.7 billion total views, he ranks among YouTube’s top gaming influencers.
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Who is SSundee?
Ian Marcus Stapleton joined YouTube on November 27, 2009, after serving in the U.S. Air Force (2007-2013). His first Minecraft video, “Minecraft Cave Adventure,” appeared September 14, 2010, though it’s now private alongside early Call of Duty content.
His content focuses on Minecraft, Among Us, Fortnite, and Roblox through series like Troll Craft, SkyFactory, and SuperCraft Bros. His character Derp SSundee, introduced on February 28, 2013, became a recurring element in videos. During his Feed The Beast series, he developed a comedic obsession with cobblestone, declaring “Cobblestone Equals Life” in episode 27.
| Full Name | Ian Marcus Stapleton |
|---|---|
| Online Name | SSundee |
| Date of Birth | December 2, 1987 |
| Age | 38 years |
| Place of Birth | Michigan, United States |
| Ethnicity | Irish and African descent |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (182 cm) |
| Weight | 87 kg (191 lbs) |
| Profession | Gaming YouTuber, Content Creator |
| Channel Launch | November 27, 2009 |
| Content Focus | Minecraft, Fortnite, Among Us, Roblox |
| Net Worth | $28 million |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Madelyn Joi Stapleton |
| Children | Colton, Simeon Luke, Gideon Jace |
| Military Service | U.S. Air Force (2007-2013) |
SSundee Net Worth Breakdown
SSundee’s $28 million net worth accumulates through diversified income channels. YouTube AdSense forms the primary revenue source, with earnings determined by Cost Per Mille (CPM) rates and daily viewership metrics. According to Social Blade, monthly earnings range between $28,900 and $462,600, translating to $346,900 to $5.6 million annually.
Revenue channels:
- YouTube AdSense (CPM-based advertising revenue)
- Merchandise sales (apparel and gaming accessories)
- Brand partnerships and sponsorships
- DoubleJump gaming studio
- Digital products and in-game content
His average engagement rate of 2.65% and consistent video frequency of multiple uploads weekly maintain algorithmic preference and audience retention. With 16.7 billion total views across 3,600+ videos, his content monetization strategy demonstrates long-term sustainability.
YouTube Career Milestones
SSundee reached 1 million subscribers on August 23, 2013, four years after channel creation. Growth accelerated through focused Minecraft content and strategic collaborations.
Key collaboration periods:
- Lanceypooh (2013-2014): Dubbed “Landee,” this partnership produced the SuperCraft Bros series and helped SSundee reach 2 million subscribers. The collaboration ended in March 2014 due to miscommunication, later clarified by Lanceypooh in 2020.
- TeamCrafted (2013-2014): Joined the Minecraft YouTuber collective at their TC Mansion in Encino, California. Left mid-2014 for undisclosed reasons.
- Crainer (2014-2019): Known as “Crundee,” they launched the SkyFactory series. The partnership ended in 2019 due to time zone differences between the United States and Denmark, though Crainer later stated he had been unhappy with the recordings.
The Among Us trend in 2020 significantly expanded viewership. Current subscriber count stands at 25.2 million with an average of 1.9 million views per video.
Revenue Streams
YouTube AdSense generates income through pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll advertisements. Earnings depend on CPM rates, which fluctuate based on advertiser demand, viewer demographics, and content category. Gaming content typically commands CPM rates between $3-$7 per thousand views.
Merchandise includes branded clothing, accessories, and gaming peripherals sold through his online store. Dedicated fan base drives consistent sales, particularly during content milestones or series launches.
Brand partnerships involve sponsored segments where gaming peripheral manufacturers, software companies, and food brands pay for product integration or dedicated videos.
DoubleJump studio operates independently, generating revenue through game development, in-app purchases, and influencer partnerships for mobile and PC games.
DoubleJump Gaming Studio
DoubleJump, SSundee’s Canadian game development company, focuses on free-to-play games with in-app purchase monetization. The studio acquired Tiny Mob Games in 2022, expanding development capabilities and market presence.
Revenue model centers on microtransactions where players purchase cosmetic items, gameplay advantages, or additional content. The studio collaborates with content creators, using their audiences for game distribution while reducing marketing expenses.
This diversification provides income stability beyond platform-dependent YouTube revenue, protecting against algorithm changes or viewership fluctuations.
Personal Life
SSundee married Madelyn Joi in 2006. They divorced in 2012, remarried in 2014, and briefly separated in 2017 before reconciling. Their first child, Colton, was followed by Simeon Luke (born November 2019) and Gideon Jace (born 2023). Ian states their relationship improved after Simeon’s birth.
From December 27, 2017, to April 17, 2018, he took a temporary hiatus from YouTube, explaining on January 3, 2018, that he needed to focus on personal issues and family. He resumed gameplay uploads on April 18, 2018.
He has documented acrophobia (fear of heights) and thalassophobia (fear of oceans). Inspired by comedian Joe Hanson while in the Air Force, he decided to pursue content creation full-time.
Social Media Presence
SSundee maintains a cross-platform presence:
- YouTube: 25.2 million subscribers, 16.7 billion total views
- Twitter: 2.4 million followers
- TikTok: 1 million followers, 3.5 million likes
- Instagram: 363,000 followers (12.14% engagement rate)
- Twitch: 194,000 followers
Cross-platform strategy extends content reach beyond YouTube. TikTok features short-form clips from longer videos, while Twitter handles announcements and fan interaction. Twitch streaming occurs less frequently but provides live engagement opportunities.
Impact on Gaming Content
SSundee’s 16.7 billion view count and subscriber base position him among the top-tier gaming creators. His modded Minecraft approach influenced other creators to explore custom game modes and challenge-based content.
His transition from Air Force service to content creation demonstrates alternative career paths in digital media. Business expansion into game development shows how creators build income sources beyond platform dependency.
Content remains family-friendly, avoiding explicit language while maintaining engagement across age demographics through gameplay creativity and comedic commentary.
Conclusion
Ian Marcus Stapleton built a $28 million net worth through consistent content production, strategic collaborations, and business diversification. His YouTube channel, merchandise line, and DoubleJump studio create multiple revenue streams, providing financial stability.
His career trajectory from Air Force service to gaming content creation to game development demonstrates how digital platforms enable entrepreneurship. With continued audience engagement and business expansion, SSundee maintains his position among gaming content’s highest earners.
