The gaming industry isn’t as we used to know it. Now, there are several opportunities to earn money by playing video games. In this guide, I will present to you the best ways to make money from gaming. Read on if you want to play games for a living!
Can you really make money playing video games?
Most definitely! All you have to do is maximize your gaming skills, and the doors of income will open. The section below showcases ways of making it big in the video games industry.
The best ways on how to make money from video games are:
Thomas Watson, Sr famously said, “To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business, and your business in your heart.” For gamers who are ready to put their heart into their craft and earn, here are nine major ways to go about it.
- Live streaming
With platforms like Twitch and YouTube allowing players to broadcast live gameplay, live streaming has become a lucrative way to earn. At the moment, Twitch streamers starting can earn between the range of $50 to $1500 monthly. The big names such as Ninja earn $100,000 or more monthly.
For you to make the most of live streaming, you have to build a huge following. Therefore, your content must be entertaining, and you have to possess expert-level gameplay skills. Once the audience starts growing, you can proceed to monetize your account. Earnings are mainly generated through ads, subscriptions, and sponsorships.
- Create game guides on video platforms
Another way to grow your social media channels is by uploading game guides. By sharing your expertise, you attract fellow gamers. With increased subscriptions and views, your earnings also grow. These guides could centre on tutorials, game development, and playing tips.
There are several game guides creators, making it very competitive. To stand out, ensure your content is clear and detailed. Also, it should be eye-catching, using nice backgrounds and engaging visuals. Lastly, you must be consistent, posting content at least weekly.
- Become a cyber sports star
The global gaming market is expected to be worth $665.77 billion by 2030. Based on its value at the end of 2023, this is a steady 13.1% over seven years. The people who would benefit most from this expansion are cyber sports stars.
Becoming a star is something everyone with a passion for gaming dreams of. Based on my experience in the iGaming industry, making it in professional gaming takes;
- Skill
- Determination
- Dedication.
To bolster your chances, I advise you to join a team where you can learn from each other and make extra money.
- Gamble
The gambling industry is also experiencing a meteoric rise. Players have a chance to use their knowledge for quick wins.
Gambling in Canada is a widely popular activity. Ontario, for example, offers a vibrant casino scene, attracting locals and tourists. In 2022, online gambling became legal in the province, and many websites have flooded the market.
With several casinos functioning, selecting one might be like searching for a needle in a haystack. To know which matches your preference, follow this guide to Ontario casinos. Here, you will find the best platforms in the province.
Pro Tip: Gambling should be approached with caution as there’s no guarantee to winning.
Become a video game journalist
There are a lot of people involved in online gaming, as they would like to have first-hand information on happenings in the industry. Therefore, if you are passionate about gaming and have a good writing game, you can consider becoming a video game journalist.
If you stay dedicated, it will be a rewarding career. A perk of being a top journalist is you get free passes to some of the biggest events, backstage interviews with players, and lots more. There is the option of freelancing which is very lucrative.
- Test video games
“A delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad”, are the famous words of Shigeru Miyamoto, a legendary game designer. This means before game developers launch titles, they have to test them, ensuring it is suitable for their target audience who love gaming.
Providers are known to hire expert players to test their games; this could be before launch or an update. With the help of these game testers, they can determine the game’s quality, detect bugs, and gather feedback. Although the payout isn’t glamorous as that of a pro gamer, you will still get paid to play video games.
- Conduct quality assurance (QA) testing
Although some would say it falls under understanding video game testing, I see QA testing as a different niche. As a quality assurance tester, your job is to identify bugs that could cause performance issues. An example is detecting glitches and freezing.
However, this source of income isn’t open to everyone. To earn money in QA testing, you must have an eye for detail and patience for repeated gameplay tests. Most people who make it in this field have a background in coding games, as they can fix the bugs.
- Organize a gaming podcast
It’s the season of podcasts, and they are being adaptable to various industries. Whether it’s compelling stories or entertaining interviews, a podcast is the way to do it. There are various options for you, cutting across game reviews, interviews with professional gamers, and more.
There are three major ways to earn money from podcasts;
- Sponsorships
- Donations from listeners/followers
- Advertisements or Affiliate marketing
Only podcasts that offer valuable content generate money. Also, you have to be consistent if you count it as the source of your primary income.
- Participate in gaming tournaments
The gaming industry is filled with several video game tournaments, going from mini to major. It could be either a forum organizing events for its community or the game launching a global tournament. This has been lucrative for top players, as they have accumulated million-dollar from prize pools.
Reaching this level isn’t as easy as it looks. However, if you want to stack cash then you have to hone your craft. Notable professional games that have made it from tournaments include;
- Johan “N0tail” Sundstein: A popular Dota 2 player who has made over $6.9 million.
- Kyle Giersdorf (Bugha): Won the $3 million prize money at the 2019 Fortnite World Cup.
These players went from humble beginnings to becoming millionaires. To reach this level, keep competing!
