Rolkis (Rolandas Paliukas) is a retired Lithuanian professional PUBG Mobile player who earned over $51,000 competing across Europe and North America from 2020 to 2024. Known for his championship wins at Saudi eLeague 2023 and consistent tournament placements, he represented 12+ teams, including Twisted Minds and Unicorns of Love.
The 27-year-old from Lithuania became one of mobile esports’ most traveled competitors, playing for organizations across three continents while building a reputation for adaptability and team-first gameplay that earned him recognition in the competitive PUBG Mobile community.
When Rolkis lifted the Saudi eLeague 2023 trophy with Twisted Minds, pocketing $32,000 in the process, it marked the peak of a four-year journey that saw a Lithuanian player compete at the highest levels of PUBG Mobile esports. His story demonstrates how talent from smaller gaming regions can make their mark on the international stage.
This article explores the career of Rolandas “Rolkis” Paliukas, from his early days breaking into European esports to his eventual retirement in 2024, examining what made him a consistent competitor in one of mobile gaming’s most demanding titles.
Who Is Rolkis?
Rolandas Paliukas, competing under the gamertag Rolkis, entered professional PUBG Mobile in September 2020 when he joined GODSENT. The Lithuanian player was entering a scene dominated by established Western European organizations and well-funded North American teams.
From Lithuania to International Esports
Lithuania isn’t traditionally considered a major esports powerhouse, especially in mobile gaming. While countries like Turkey, Germany, and the UK had established PUBG Mobile infrastructures, Rolkis represented a smaller market trying to break through. His signing with GODSENT gave him that opportunity.
The timing was significant. PUBG Mobile’s competitive scene was expanding rapidly in 2020, with prize pools growing and regional leagues gaining legitimacy. The game had evolved from casual mobile entertainment into a serious esports title with professional salaries and dedicated training facilities.
Breaking Into the Professional Scene
Rolkis’s first major result came at the 2020 EMEA League, where GODSENT finished third. The $6,600 prize split among the team wasn’t life-changing money, but it proved he could compete at the regional level. More importantly, it got his name in front of other organizations looking for talent.
His early career showed promise but also revealed the harsh reality of professional esports. By December 2020, just three months after joining GODSENT, Rolkis was looking for a new team. This pattern of frequent team changes would define much of his career.
Career Timeline: Teams and Transitions
Between 2020 and 2024, Rolkis played for more than a dozen organizations. While this might suggest instability, it actually demonstrates his value as a player that teams actively wanted to recruit.
GODSENT (September-December 2020) marked his professional debut. The Swedish organization gave him his first taste of major tournament play, competing in the EMEA League, where they secured third place.
Early 2021 experiments saw brief stints with Exsol Legends and Lazarus. These shorter contracts were common in mobile esports as teams and players tried to find the right chemistry. With Lazarus, he competed in North American tournaments, getting his first exposure to different regional playstyles.
Niko Defence League and Unicorns of Love (Mid-2021) represented a turning point. When his team merged into UOL, one of Europe’s most recognized esports brands, Rolkis gained stability. The organization invested in PUBG Mobile seriously, providing resources that helped players improve. His results reflected this support, with a second-place finish at the PMPL European Championship Season 1 earning the team $28,000.
Twisted Minds (2022-2023) became his most successful chapter. This Saudi Arabian organization was making aggressive moves in mobile esports, recruiting top talent and competing in high-stakes tournaments. With Twisted Minds, Rolkis won the Saudi eLeague 2023 Season 1, his biggest payday at $32,000. The team also qualified for the PUBG Mobile World Invitational 2023, where they earned $57,500 (though this was split among a larger prize pool structure, resulting in a 16th-place finish).
Final career moves included returns to Unicorns of Love, a brief stint with Execute Esports, where he won the PMCO North America 2023, and eventually Golden Eagles NA before retirement. Each transition brought new teammates, strategies, and regional competitions to master.
Major Achievements and Tournament Success
Rolkis’s career earnings of $51,009 place him among Europe’s mid-tier PUBG Mobile professionals. While not reaching the six-figure totals of the game’s absolute elite, his consistency over four years demonstrates sustained competitiveness.
His biggest wins tell the story of a player who performed when it mattered:
- Saudi eLeague 2023 Season 1 (Champion): The $32,000 first-place prize represented his career’s peak performance, defeating teams from across the Middle East and Europe
- PUBG Mobile Club Open NA 2023 (1st Place): Switching regions to compete in North America, he secured $6,000 with Execute Esports
- PMPL European Championship Season 1 (Runner-up): The $28,000 second-place finish with Unicorns of Love in 2021 established him as a top-tier European player
- UK National Championship 2021 (Champion): Earning $8,855 while representing Niko Defence League
His yearly earnings progression shows an interesting pattern. After modest beginnings in 2020 ($1,520), he steadily increased earnings through 2021 ($18,825) and 2022 ($6,275) before reaching his peak in 2023 ($24,388). This trajectory suggests continuous improvement and adaptation to the evolving competitive meta.
The PUBG Mobile Global Championship 2021 represented his biggest opportunity but also his most disappointing result. Despite qualifying with Unicorns of Love, the team finished 28th-29th, earning $36,525 but falling far short of their potential. In a tournament where the best teams took home millions, this placement highlighted the gap between regional success and truly elite global performance.
Playing Style and Competitive Strengths
Analyzing Rolkis’s tournament history reveals a player valued for consistency rather than flashy individual performances. His teams regularly finished in the money, suggesting solid fundamental gameplay and good decision-making under pressure.
Mobile esports requires different skills than PC or console gaming. Players need quick reflexes adapted to touchscreen controls, spatial awareness on smaller displays, and the ability to communicate clearly during intense firefights. Rolkis’s longevity across multiple teams indicates he possessed these core competencies.
His adaptability stands out when examining his team transitions. Each organization brought different rosters, coaching philosophies, and regional competitive styles. Successfully integrating into new teams repeatedly demonstrates strong communication skills and the ability to learn new strategies quickly.
The European PUBG Mobile scene emphasizes tactical positioning and smart rotations over aggressive fragging. Teams that survive longer earn more points, even without high kill counts. Rolkis’s placement finishes suggest he understood and executed this strategic approach effectively.
The European PUBG Mobile Landscape
Representing Lithuania in a scene dominated by Turkish, German, and UK organizations gave Rolkis unique visibility. While he wasn’t a superstar carrying teams single-handedly, he proved that talent from smaller markets could compete at the highest levels.
His career coincided with PUBG Mobile’s expansion in Eastern Europe. Organizations increasingly looked beyond traditional esports strongholds for talent, and players like Rolkis benefited from this geographical diversification.
The European scene during his active years was intensely competitive. Teams like Nova Esports, Futbolist, and Natus Vincere invested heavily in mobile gaming. Standing out in this environment required not just mechanical skill but also mental resilience and professional consistency.
Challenges and Career Setbacks
Frequent team changes defined Rolkis’s career trajectory. Between 2020 and 2024, he played for more than ten organizations. While some moves were strategic upgrades, others suggested contract issues, roster changes, or performance concerns.
The PMGC 2021 disappointment looms large when evaluating his career. Qualifying for PUBG Mobile’s world championship represented a major achievement, but finishing 28th-29th with such talented teammates raised questions about the team’s preparation and in-tournament execution. The $36,525 earnings softened the blow, but the placement prevented him from reaching the game’s true upper echelon.
Competing across both European and North American circuits presented logistical challenges. Different server conditions, varied competitive metas, and timezone complications made regional switching difficult. Yet Rolkis managed these transitions, demonstrating flexibility that many players struggle to achieve.
The physical demands of mobile esports often get overlooked. Playing for hours on touchscreen devices causes hand strain, eye fatigue, and posture problems. Maintaining peak performance across multiple years in these conditions requires dedication to physical conditioning that many don’t appreciate.
Retirement and Legacy
Rolkis’s competitive career appears to have concluded in 2024. While officially listed as playing for Golden Eagles NA, his tournament activity has ceased, suggesting retirement from professional play.
Four years in professional esports represents a solid career, especially in mobile gaming, where player turnover runs high. Many competitors burn out faster, unable to maintain the practice schedules and performance consistency required.
His legacy rests on several pillars. Over $51,000 in documented prize winnings places him among successful European mobile players. Three major championship titles demonstrate he could win when the stakes were highest. Representing a dozen organizations shows he was valued across the competitive scene.
For Lithuanian esports, Rolkis served as an ambassador. While not achieving global superstardom, he proved that players from smaller nations could compete internationally. Young Lithuanian gamers looking at mobile esports careers could point to Rolkis as evidence that professional success was achievable.
Whether he transitions into coaching, content creation, or leaves esports entirely remains unclear. Many retired players leverage their competitive experience into analyst roles or team management positions. His extensive team experience across multiple organizations would make him a valuable asset in these capacities.
Rolkis Statistics at a Glance
Career Earnings: $51,009
Active Years: 2020-2024
Total Teams: 12+ organizations
Championship Wins: 3 major titles
Highest Single Prize: $32,000 (Saudi eLeague 2023)
Peak Earnings Year: 2023 ($24,388)
Notable Teams: Twisted Minds, Unicorns of Love, GODSENT
Competitive Regions: Europe (EMEA), North America
Nationality: Lithuania
Status: Retired
Conclusion
Rolkis’s journey from Lithuanian newcomer to internationally recognized PUBG Mobile competitor demonstrates how modern esports creates opportunities beyond traditional gaming strongholds. His $51,000 in career earnings and multiple championship titles place him among Europe’s successful mobile esports professionals.
While he never reached the superstar status of the game’s absolute elite, his four-year career showed remarkable consistency. Representing over a dozen teams across multiple continents, winning championships in different regions, and consistently placing in major tournaments reveal a player who adapted to changing circumstances while maintaining competitive standards.
For fans of mobile esports, Rolkis’s career offers lessons in longevity and adaptability. His story proves that sustainable success doesn’t always require being the flashiest player—sometimes consistency, teamwork, and professional dedication matter more. As PUBG Mobile continues evolving, players like Rolkis, who helped build the competitive scene, deserve recognition for their contributions to the game’s growth.
FAQs
Is Rolkis still playing professionally?
No, Rolkis appears to have retired from competitive PUBG Mobile in 2024. His last listed team was Golden Eagles NA, but he hasn’t participated in recent major tournaments. Many professional mobile gamers retire in their mid-to-late twenties due to the physical demands of competitive play and declining reflexes.
What is Rolkis’s real name?
His full name is Rolandas Paliukas. He competes under the shortened gamertag “Rolkis,” which is common in esports where memorable, concise names work better for broadcasting and fan engagement. He’s Lithuanian by nationality.
How much money did Rolkis earn in esports?
Rolkis earned approximately $51,009 in documented tournament prize winnings throughout his career. This figure only includes publicly reported tournament earnings and doesn’t account for team salaries, sponsorship deals, or streaming revenue. His peak earning year was 2023, when he collected $24,388 from various tournaments.
What teams did Rolkis play for?
His most notable teams included Twisted Minds (where he won the Saudi eLeague 2023), Unicorns of Love (multiple stints), and GODSENT (his first professional organization). He represented over a dozen teams total, playing for organizations based in Sweden, Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, and North America throughout his four-year career.
What were Rolkis’s biggest tournament wins?
His three major championships were the Saudi eLeague 2023 Season 1 (earning $32,000), the PUBG Mobile Club Open North America 2023 (1st place with Execute), and the UK National Championship 2021 (winning $8,855). He also finished runner-up at the PMPL European Championship Season 1, earning $28,000 with that second-place performance.
