The gaming industry earns money in several ways, including:

1. Sales of games: Game developers and publishers earn revenue by selling games to consumers. This can be done through various channels, such as physical copies of the game, digital downloads, or through subscription services.
2. In-game purchases: Many games offer in-game purchases that allow players to buy virtual items, such as weapons, skins, or power-ups. These purchases can be made using real money, and they can be a significant source of revenue for game developers.
3. Advertising: Game developers can earn money by displaying advertisements within their games. These ads can be either in-game or through ad-supported game distribution platforms.
4. Esports and tournaments: Competitive gaming, or esports, has grown significantly in recent years, with many players and teams participating in tournaments and events. These events can be sponsored by companies, and prize pools can be substantial, with winners often receiving a significant portion of the total prize money.
5. Licensing and merchandising: Some games are popular enough to warrant licensing deals, allowing game developers to earn money through merchandise sales, such as toys, clothing, and other products featuring game-related content.

Overall, the gaming industry is a large and diverse market that generates revenue through various means, including direct sales, in-game purchases, advertising, esports, licensing, and merchandising.

top most popular games in earning

The top most popular games in terms of earnings can vary over time, but currently (as of my knowledge cutoff in 2021), some of the highest-earning games include:

• Fortnite: Developed by Epic Games, Fortnite is a free-to-play battle royale game that has become one of the most popular games in the world. It generates revenue through in-game purchases, such as skins, emotes, and battle passes.

1. League of Legends: Developed by Riot Games, League of Legends is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that has a large and dedicated player base. It generates revenue through in-game purchases, such as skins, champions, and other items.

1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare: Developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a first-person shooter game that is part of the Call of Duty franchise. It generates revenue through game sales and in-game purchases, such as skins, battle passes, and other items.

1. FIFA: Developed by EA Sports, FIFA is a soccer simulation game that has been popular for many years. It generates revenue through game sales and in-game purchases, such as Ultimate Team packs.

1. Grand Theft Auto V: Developed by Rockstar Games, Grand Theft Auto V is an open-world action-adventure game that has a large and dedicated player base. It generates revenue through game sales and in-game purchases, such as Shark Cards for in-game currency.

1. Minecraft: Developed by Mojang Studios, Minecraft is a sandbox game that has a large and dedicated player base. It generates revenue through game sales and in-game purchases, such as skins and texture packs.

These are just a few examples of some of the most popular games in terms of earnings. The gaming industry is constantly evolving, and new games can quickly rise to the top of the charts in terms of popularity and earnings.