Introduction: A Tech Billionaire’s Gaming Aspirations

Elon Musk, known for his ambitious ventures in tech and space exploration, has long sought to cement his reputation as a serious gamer. He frequently expresses his passion for video games, even claiming they surpass chess in complexity. However, recent controversies over Musk’s gaming achievements have led to skepticism and allegations of dishonesty, with many in the gaming community questioning his authenticity.

The Diablo IV Controversy

Can a busy tech CEO really rank among the world’s best in such a demanding game?

Musk’s Bold Claim

In a 2024 appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Musk claimed to be among the top 20 players globally in Diablo IV, a dark fantasy role-playing game known for its challenging gameplay and steep time investment. While Rogan was impressed, many gamers raised eyebrows. How could Musk, balancing leadership roles at multiple companies and political campaigning, find time to grind through the game’s rigorous challenges?

The Reality of the Ranking

Musk’s ranking turned out to be based on an unofficial leaderboard maintained by helltides.com, not the game’s developer, Activision Blizzard. This leaderboard tracks completion times for a specific “endgame” level, where Musk briefly held the 19th spot with an impressive two-minute, 45-second run. However, the ranking only reflected a narrow metric and included fewer than 1,000 participants—far from the millions of Diablo IV players worldwide.

Mixed Reactions from the Gaming Community

Some gamers suspected Musk outsourced the grinding process—where players develop powerful characters—leaving him to take the credit for the most challenging moments. Others theorized that Musk might have sacrificed time for gaming, prioritizing it over his other responsibilities.

Musk, however, described gaming as a way to unwind. “If I play a video game on extreme difficulty, then I have to concentrate fully on the game, and it has a calming effect,” he told Rogan.

Elden Ring: A Gaming Misstep

Musk’s shared build in Elden Ring didn’t win over fans.

In 2022, Musk turned his attention to Elden Ring, calling it “the most beautiful art I have ever seen.” He shared his in-game build, a high-level “power mage,” only to face ridicule. Critics pointed out poor choices, such as carrying two shields, making his character slow and vulnerable, and using unoptimized equipment that betrayed a lack of understanding of the game’s mechanics. Despite his character’s high level, fans saw his setup as evidence of inexperience.

Path of Exile 2: Livestream Sparks Skepticism

Did Musk’s high-ranking characters reflect his skill—or someone else’s efforts?

Hardcore Mode Controversy

In Path of Exile 2, Musk has played several “hardcore” characters—permanent death characters that are deleted upon defeat. His most notable achievements include:

• “Kekius_Maximus”: Ranked 59th globally (Level 94) before its death.
• “Percy_Verence”: Ranked 13th globally (Level 97).

However, a livestream of Musk playing as Percy_Verence on Jan. 7 raised suspicions. Viewers noted basic mistakes, such as mismanaging inventory, retrieving low-value items, and struggling with map navigation.

The Community’s Verdict

Comments on the livestream and related YouTube videos were harsh. Many accused Musk of outsourcing the work to level up his characters. Prominent streamer Asmongold even issued a public challenge: “If Elon Musk can prove that he played this account to 97, I will stream on X for an entire year straight.”

Fallout: Losing Gamer Cred

The backlash among gamers has been fierce.

Fans who once admired Musk expressed disappointment. “Elon lost the trust of all gamers overnight,” one commenter said on X. Others criticized him for allegedly boosting his accounts and misleading fans.

Musk’s Response—or Lack Thereof

As of now, Musk has not responded to Asmongold’s challenge or clarified his gameplay achievements. Since Jan. 9, he has refrained from posting about Path of Exile 2, fueling speculation that he may be distancing himself from the controversy.

Conclusion: A Strained Relationship with Gamers

Musk’s gaming controversies have put his credibility at odds with the gaming community. While he has demonstrated a genuine passion for gaming—evidenced by his infamous Battle of Polytopia feud with ex-partner Grimes—his high-profile claims have raised questions about integrity and skill.

Whether Musk can rebuild his gamer persona remains uncertain, but for now, his credibility among gamers is on shaky ground.

What Do You Think?

Do you believe Musk’s gaming achievements are genuine, or is the community right to be skeptical? Share your thoughts in the comments below!