From Small Town Connecticut to Gaming Empire: The Rise of a 20-Year-Old Fortnite Phenomenon
At just 20 years old, Cody Conrod has already built an empire in the gaming world that most people twice his age would envy. Better known by his gaming handle Clix, this Connecticut native transformed his passion for Fortnite into a multi-million dollar career that extends far beyond just playing games. What started as a teenager convincing his dad to buy him a gaming PC has evolved into one of the most recognizable names in competitive gaming.
Clix's breakthrough moment came during the 2019 Fortnite World Cup, where his aggressive high-ground strategies and clutch plays caught everyone's attention. He qualified for the World Cup an impressive five times, establishing himself as a force to be reckon with in competitive Fortnite. His signature style of taking high ground in one-versus-one situations became his calling card, and fans couldn't get enough of watching him outmaneuver opponents with surgical precision. The young prodigy even made history as the first player worldwide to achieve the coveted "UNREAL" rank in Fortnite.
Beyond his gaming skills, Clix has proven himself to be a savvy entrepreneur. He co-owns XSET, a major esports organization, and runs his own apparel brand called Dr3amin. His business acumen didn't go unnoticed - he became the youngest member of Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 list in 2024. With over 8 million followers on Twitch and 3.6 million YouTube subscribers, he's built a streaming empire that generates serious revenue. His estimated net worth of $2.2 million reflects not just his tournament winnings, but his smart diversification across multiple revenue streams.
The path to success wasn't conventional for Clix. He made the bold decision to drop out of school in 8th grade to focus entirely on his gaming career, though he continues his education through virtual learning. Family remains incredibly important to him - he's close with his parents Scott and Lucy, along with his older brother and sister. Despite his fame, he keeps his personal life relatively private, often joking with fans by posting fake girlfriend content while confirming he's currently single and focused on his career.
What sets Clix apart isn't just his mechanical skill or business success, but his ability to connect with his audience. His streams blend high-level competitive gameplay with entertaining commentary, creating content that appeals to both serious gamers and casual viewers. He's collaborated with major creators like Corinna Kopf and Adin Ross, expanding his reach beyond the Fortnite community. From a small town in Connecticut to international gaming stardom, Clix represents a new generation of content creators who've turned their bedrooms into broadcasting studios and their hobbies into empires.