Gaming has long since stopped being just a fun leisure activity and has become a lucrative industry where players can genuinely earn money. In this article, we look at different ways to play games and earn some extra income at the same time. Some ways of making money from gaming require you to be a professional gamer or developer. Others only require enthusiasm for gaming and a willingness to work.
Table of contents
1. Become a Twitch streamer
Twitch is a video streaming website that focuses mainly on video games. As a Twitch streamer, you have the potential to earn money by filming yourself playing games. To gain followers, you will need to post up-to-date and engaging content regularly. You can also earn from adverts, sponsorships, fan donations or subscriptions. Success in this area often depends on the streamer’s charisma and their ability to build a community.
2. Earn money as a gamer on social media
The principle here is similar to earning money on Twitch. If you like the idea of sharing your gaming experiences with others, this way of earning is ideal for you. Making money on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube is a good option for anyone interested in sharing video game content online. You can share gaming tips or post entertaining videos. Or both. To get started, look at other gaming influencers on each social media platform for ideas on which style of content works best. To succeed with this way of making money from gaming, you will need equipment such as a camera, a microphone and video editing software, as well as whatever you use to play video games, whether you are on a console or a PC. You will also need to know how to create video guides, which involves:
- Recording screenshots of yourself playing.
- Using video editing software to edit the raw footage.
- Adding effects such as text, music and animations.
- Uploading and sharing videos.
3. Selling virtual goods
Some gamers earn money by selling virtual goods, such as virtual items, characters or even high-level accounts. Some games have a system that allows players to trade virtual items for real money.
4. Tournaments and competitions
Many games and gaming communities hold various tournaments and competitions with cash prizes. These events are open not only to professional players but also to amateurs, who can win money or prizes for their gaming skills.
Esports, or electronic sports, are the most popular form of professional gaming. Players take part in competitions at a professional level and can earn through prizes, sponsors and even by streaming their games on platforms such as Twitch or YouTube. However, earning in esports is demanding and requires a high level of skill and dedication. In some competitions, the cash prizes can be quite large. Nevertheless, the biggest tournaments are incredibly competitive, and even if you spend a lot of time preparing for a tournament, there is still no guarantee that you will take home any prize money at all. Entry costs for these tournaments also play a role.
💡 Tip: If you are a good event organiser and marketing specialist, you can host gaming tournaments, attract sponsors and charge participants entry fees and advertisers promotional fees. If you are good at marketing and sales, you can use a tournament to sell products for yourself, a sponsoring brand or an affiliate marketing partner. If you are an investor, you can invest in gaming tournaments.
5. Work as a game tester
Playtesters provide feedback that then helps game developers identify flaws that spoil the user experience and make improvements. These testing roles can involve playing games to assess matters such as usability and functionality, or finding bugs that need fixing. You can test games on a range of platforms, such as a games console, mobile phone, tablet or desktop computer. If you want to find work testing games, it helps if you have studied programming. Game testing is ideal for people with an eye for detail and the ability to spot bugs in games. Playtesters play games following the developers’ instructions and gather information for them, such as:
- Whether players understand the game instructions.
- Whether the game controls and features work as intended.
- What players learn easily.
- Where players get stuck.
- What players spend their time on.
- How players rate their overall experience.
- What players like.
- Which aspects of the game players want improved.
- Which features and benefits are most attractive.
- Whether the game is commercially viable in its current form.
Playtesters can be volunteers, freelancers or regular employees. If you want to get into game testing, you need to combine a passion for gaming with a good work ethic, which includes the ability to follow instructions, meet deadlines and communicate feedback.
6. Write video game reviews for money
Working as a video game journalist is a great way to combine gaming and writing skills and earn money from your hobby. You can earn money as a gaming journalist either as a freelancer or full-time. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to make money writing reviews, especially when you are starting out. So it is a good idea to start a blog about video games first. Here you can write about your favourite games and share your thoughts as well as the latest news and events from the industry. Once you gain readers, you can monetise the blog. Having a blog will help you when pitching article ideas to magazines and newspapers or applying for journalism jobs. It will show your writing skills as well as your genuine interest in gaming.
Another option is selling written guides for a specific game through your website. You can monetise game guides in written form as well as in video form. What should a written video game guide include? Topics to consider include:
- Walkthroughs that tell players the basic details, such as where to go and what to do.
- Guides to game features.
- Tips and tricks for advanced play.
- Expansion options.
Written content should be supported by screenshots and other graphics so your readers can more easily see what you are talking about. You can include a video on your website to complement your written content. You can publish your content as posts on your website or as a downloadable e-book. One promotional strategy is to offer free content as an incentive to buy your premium content. Another alternative is to offer free tutorials while monetising your site in another way, such as with advertising.
7. Video game design
Have you ever dreamed of designing your own game? If you have an idea for a game along with the technical skills to create a website or app, this can be a fantastic way to make money. Admittedly, this tip is technically not about making money by playing games. But to design a successful and well-structured game, it helps a great deal if you are already an experienced gamer. Actually creating a game will take some time. However, once it is finished, you can start making money from it.
Some examples of how to make money from your game include charging people to buy it, offering in-app purchases and including adverts. Think about which monetisation technique would work best for your game. If you are not sure, compare similar games on the market and consider how much they cost to play (if anything) and whether they contain adverts.
💡 Tip: A degree in software engineering or computer science will help and may be essential for some jobs, although it is less important than real programming know-how. Knowledge of 3D graphics and animation will also be useful. To gain experience as a developer, you can practise game development on your own. Start with simple games and, as your skills improve, try more complex projects. This will help you build a portfolio that you can use to demonstrate your skills to future employers.
8. Offering gaming coaching
Another interesting option is to become a video game coach. Video game coaches help clients improve their gaming skills. Gaming coaches can provide services such as:
- Reviewing recorded gameplay footage and offering insights.
- Providing guidance through strategies, tips and practical exercises.
- Watching live gameplay.
Gaming coaches can offer their services one to one or through group coaching, such as a webinar or an online workshop. Depending on your level of expertise, you can offer gaming coaching to players of any level, from beginners to tournament competitors. The higher your skill level and the deeper the insight you can offer, the more you can charge. To become a gaming coach, you will need a range of qualifications:
- Experience as a player.
- Up-to-date knowledge of game versions and gameplay.
- Teaching skills, including the ability to observe player behaviour, give instructions, answer questions and measure progress.
9. Host a gaming podcast
If you enjoy talking about gaming, hosting a podcast is another way to earn money. Podcasts can cover various types of gaming-related content, including:
- Gameplay commentary.
- New game reviews.
- Industry news.
- Interviews with people from the gaming industry.
- Answering questions from the audience.
Podcasts can be monetised in many ways, for example:
- Crowdfunding and donations.
- Selling premium content, such as tutorials or coaching.
- Hosting exclusive events.
- Advertising revenue.
- Brand sponsorships.
- Promoting affiliate marketing products.
To start a podcast, you will need a microphone, audio editing software and a podcast hosting platform. You will also need to promote your podcast using tactics such as search engine optimisation and social media marketing.
10. Try Mistplay
Do you enjoy mobile games and have an Android phone? Join Mistplay and earn extra money while playing games. Simply find a game you like and start playing. The longer you play, the more “units” you earn. You can then exchange these units for gift cards.
Making money from gaming offers various options for different types of players. However, it is important to be aware that success in these areas requires not only skill and a passion for gaming, but also patience, discipline and the ability to build your own brand and community. Nevertheless, combining fun with financial reward is undoubtedly a very attractive and satisfying way to earn money.
