Many people derive pleasure from playing video games but only a few people know they can make money playing video games.
It is a beautiful thing to turn your hobby into money generating venture, that is to say, cashing out while doing what you love most.
Video games have made many people rich, but not without devoting your time and energy to make it work.
Earning while playing video games is not something that happens in a twinkling of an eye, it requires hard work and commitment.
However, the amount of money you can make playing video games is greatly dependent on the types of games you play, the content you develop, the platforms you use, and the amount of time you commit.
How To Make Money Playing Video Games
In this era, many people have started earning from what they love doing most, including video game players.
There are many ways to make money playing video games but many people do not know about it or how to go about it.
However, below are the ways you can make money playing video games as a video game lover.
1. Create a Youtube channel
Many lovers of video games make money playing video games by creating a youtube channel, so if you want to make money while gaming, YouTube is a great place to start.
On their youtube channel, they run live streams, or post recorded videos of them playing video games for their viewers to watch and learn how to play a particular type of game.
You can make money playing video games by posting video game tutorials, reviewing games, and giving general gaming advice on your YouTube channel.
However, you will not start earning immediately after creating a Youtube channel, you have to, first of all, become a YouTube Partner.
To be eligible to become a youtube partner, you must have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4000 hours worth of watch time on your channel within a 12-month period.
2. Compete in Gaming Tournaments
You can make money playing video games by competing in gaming tournaments, it is a fun and reliable way to get paid while playing.
Moreover, you do not need to be a pro to participate in any gaming tournament, just know how to play and have a passion for video games and you are good to go.
However, some tournaments are free to enter, while others have an entry fee. You can earn more than hundreds of dollars on each win depending on how popular the gaming event is.
Additionally, you can find gaming tournaments on Facebook Gaming, Game Battles, Gamerz Arena, etc.
3. Become Video Games Journalist
Another way to make money playing video games is to become a video game journalist.
Video games journalists are in high demand because people want to know everything about the video games industry and what they are up to, and many people know this through news pieces, blog posts, commentary, podcasts, or breaking news.
However, as a game journalist, you can write for a game site, cover games on digital radio, create a news podcast, create video game documentaries, etc.
You can become a freelance journalist and work for various organizations or build and work on your website.
However, as a video game journalist, you can find jobs on websites including FlexJobs, GamesIndustry.biz, IGN, Simply Hired, VGJobs, Virtual Vocation, etc.
4. Become An Esport Professional Gamer
Another way to make money playing video games is to become an Esport professional gamer.
As a professional gamer, you play video games full-time and compete in tournaments to win prizes. You can be part of a team or play on an individual basis.
As an Esport Professional gamer, you would focus on specific games like League of Legends, Fortnite, or Dota 2.
You can make money as an Esports player by winning the prize pool in a tournament, through your team pay, gaining brand sponsorships, appearing at conventions
5. Become A Game developer
You can make money playing video games by becoming a video game developer. As a game developer, you can work with video game companies to create new games and become part of the video game industry.
Though game developers are not exactly involved with playing games, but must understand the core mechanics of the game.
However, you can check job boards to know the requirements needed to be a game developer even though each company will likely have different requirements.
You can find most developer jobs through game studios such as Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, PlayStation, Rockstar Games, Ubisoft, Valve, etc.
6. Stream on Twitch
Another way to make money playing video games is by streaming on Twitch. Twitch is an American video live streaming service that concentrates on video game live streaming.
Twitch has a monetization system similar to YouTube, it requires you to gain followers and apply for monetization status once you can drive traffic to the website.
Once you are able to gather followers and reached a level you can start earning money, Twitch will pay you in different ways including paying you for every subscriber that visits your channel.
You will also have the opportunity to add a Google Adsense-like set-up to your channel. This will enable you to get paid for ads placed on your page.
However, Twitch allows its users to utilize Amazon affiliate links. As a gamer, you can recommend products and items available for purchase on Amazon and get paid.
7. Quality Assurance Tester
You can make money playing video games by becoming a Quality Assurance Tester. A Quality Assurance tester monitors all steps of designing and implementing a product to ensure company standards are met.
The role of a quality assurance tester improves the development process by boosting effectiveness and quality, and so video game developers employ these people to advise them on the video game they are creating.
Quality Assurance testers do not just play video games, they play games using different methods numerous times until they can find nothing to oppose about the game.
Quality Assurance testers are in high demand because video game companies cannot release any game without their consent.
As a Quality Assurance Tester, you can work as a freelancer or work at a larger studio or browse job boards like FlexJobs or individual games companies for open jobs.
However, you can find job opportunities on websites such as BetaBound, BetaFamily, FlexJobs, GBTN, Indeed, Player Research, and PlaytestCloud.
8. Work As A Customer Service Representative
Another way to make money playing video games is by working as a customer service representative for a game company.
Becoming a customer service representative for a game company is a splendid way to get paid in the video game industry, and the average customer service representative makes $13.64 per hour.
However, getting this job is more about your customer service skills than your gaming skills, and you must have excellent communication skills.
9. Set Up A Video Game Coaching Business
Another wonderful way of making money playing video games is by setting up a video game coaching business if you like teaching and playing games.
As a video game coach, your responsibilities would entail organizing gameplay tutorials, giving tips and advice to players, and helping players improve as they practice for video game tournaments.
However, you can set up your coaching business both online and offline and encourage clients to choose the one they are more comfortable with.
Video game coaches can earn between $26,000 and $75,000 a year depending on expertise, the game, and other elements.
10. Play On Mistplay
You can make money playing video games on Mistplay. Mistplay is an amazing app available on Android that helps you make money playing video games on your phone.
It provides users an opportunity to participate in games to win amazing prizes and receive gift cards to various retailers such as Amazon, Google Play, and even virtual Visa gift cards through the earning of points.
However, with Mistplay, you are eligible to receive payment from the minute you start playing, and you can play with friends and level up your avatar to unlock achievements and earn units faster.
Also read: Bingo Sites Not on Gamstop: How to Choose the Best Online Gaming Platform?
11. Create A Gaming Website
Another way to make money playing video games is by creating a gaming website. Gaming sites are highly profitable and have some of the highest traffic around.
You can start reviewing games on your website or choose a niche that you are conversant with, and have the expert knowledge to share.
After gaining a considerable amount of audience, you can apply for Google AdSense to start earning from the website through featured advertisements.
12. Test games
You can make money playing video games by testing games. If you are into video games, such as Call of Duty and Fortnight, you can sign up with PlayTestCloud.
PlayTestCloud is a German company that helps game makers improve their creations by getting professional gamers to test them out.
To do this, you will download software that records your reactions and speech while doing the test, and the tests generally take 15 minutes and pay $9.
However, the website is reliable, if you get a test, you will be paid within a week of completing your task.
13. Teaching Game Making
Another way to make money playing video games is by teaching game-making to interested people.
However, the online tutoring site Juni Learning has established a program for course creators.
The site, which employs college students as part-time tutors to teach coding and math, now allows educators to create their courses and list them for sale.
However, if you are vested in game-making, you can create a game-making course that teaches children how to create games using Unreal Engine, a suite of development tools employed by many of the world’s most famous games.
The website allows course creators to determine the cost of their course and get 70% of the revenue, while the other 30% is paid to the website for collection service and marketing.
14. Facebook Gaming
You can make money playing video games through Facebook gaming. If you are already knowledgeable about building up communities and followers on Facebook, then the Facebook Gaming hub is likely a good start for you.
You can earn money on Facebook gaming through donations, subscriptions, Facebook’s virtual currency, etc.
However, to earn stars and subscriptions you must be signed up for the company’s Level Up Program.
Also read: Igrosoft Casino Slots for Those Who Love Easy Gameplay
15. Video Game Content Creator
Another way to make money playing video games is by becoming a video game content creator.
As a video game content creator, your job is to create engaging content that is in consonance with the gaming community through videos, blogging, or writing articles.
As a video game content creator, you can make game tutorials, review games, unbox gaming equipment to play, document PC builds, etc.
However, you can make money as a video game content creator through YouTube Ad Revenue, sponsored videos and articles, advertorials, donations, content Licensing, selling merchandise, video subscriptions, Affiliate marketing, etc.
As a video game content creator, you might find some jobs on job websites such as FlexJobs, Indeed, Simply Hired, Upwork, Virtual Vocations, etc.