Indeed, it is possible to earn money by playing video games. The emergence of Esports, Twitch, and professional gamers has created lucrative opportunities for monetizing your video game hobby.
One interesting aspect is that you don’t have to be a professional gamer to get involved. Even casual gamers are finding ways to make money through gaming. In this article, we will explore some practical ways to make money playing video games.
1. Group Video Game Classes for Kids
Selling group classes for kids is a viable option, with platforms like Outschool offering academic and extracurricular classes. Video game classes are particularly popular in the extracurricular category, as parents appreciate the safe online environment for their children.
A mother of four, Devyn Ricks, reported earning up to $4,000 a month by playing video games on Outschool. This evolved into a six-figure business over time.
Through platforms like Outschool, individuals can earn by being an online friend to kids.
2. Play-to-Earn Game Apps
Several smartphone apps allow users to make money in their spare time by playing mobile games. Apps like Freecash offer numerous game offers for iOS, Android, and PC, some of which pay out hundreds of dollars. The average user can expect to earn around $17.53 per day just by playing games on Freecash.
Another app, KashKick, provides opportunities to answer surveys, test new games (earning up to $150 each), and redeem money-saving offers. At times, KashKick offers $90-120 to play specific games and reach certain milestones.
Mistplay, with over 50 million downloads, rewards users for discovering and playing new games on their phones. Power users can earn up to $550 per year by playing games on Mistplay.
3. Video Game Testing
Prior to the public release of video games, extensive playtesting is conducted. Individuals with significant gaming experience can provide valuable feedback on game functionality to developers.
Cash Giraffe is a platform that connects users with new games seeking more players. It tracks the time spent playing and rewards users for reaching specific milestones.
Consistent users of Snakzy, another app, are earning $450 a month by playing new mobile games.
Additionally, many game companies hire quality assurance (QA) testers to identify bugs and issues before a game is released. Job postings on platforms like Indeed indicate salaries ranging from $30,000-85,000 per year for game testers.
4. Video Game Coaching
Video game coaching is a lucrative option for individuals with a deep understanding and passion for specific games. Coaches offer tutorials, screen-sharing walkthroughs, and group classes to help other gamers improve their skills.
Platforms like Metafy allow coaches to set their rates (typically starting at $30/hour) and availability. Alternatively, coaches can offer services on Fiverr or seek local clients.
When creating a coaching profile, highlighting gaming credentials and expertise is crucial. Rates may vary based on experience, game popularity, and competition, with most coaches charging between $20-200 per hour.
5. Video Game Reporting
Another way to monetize a passion for gaming is by becoming a video game journalist. This role involves reporting on video game news, upcoming releases, writing game reviews, and covering e-sport tournaments.
Professionals in this field can earn between $26,000 to $100,000 per year, depending on experience, writing skills, and portfolio.
6. Start a Video Game YouTube Channel
Creating a YouTube channel dedicated to gaming is a popular way to make money while playing video games. Gamers can stream live gameplay, upload recorded videos, and engage with followers and subscribers.
In addition to streaming, gamers can produce gameplay tutorials, reviews, and tips to attract followers and generate revenue through ad income, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, donations, and merchandise sales.
7. Stream on Twitch
Twitch is a leading platform for gamers to earn money by streaming their gameplay. As a streamer’s following grows, they can generate revenue through subscriptions and donations. Top streamers can earn six- to seven-figure incomes annually.
Monetization on Twitch can also include donations, merch sales, brand deals, and other revenue streams as streamers build relationships and trust with their audience.
8. Crypto Gaming
The rise of cryptocurrency and NFTs has opened up new opportunities for gamers to earn money. In games like Axie Infinity, players can raise, trade, and battle NFT pets known as Axies, increasing their value over time.
Players can buy or sell in-game currency, such as Axie Infinity Shards, on exchanges like Coinbase, creating a potential revenue stream through crypto gaming.
9. Create Video Game Guides
Developing video game guides or tutorials to help others navigate challenging levels or improve their gameplay is a profitable way to share expertise and earn money.
Guides can be shared on social media, YouTube, or sold as online courses to generate income from gaming knowledge.
10. Sell Merchandise
Creating and selling game-themed merchandise can be a successful venture for gamers looking to monetize their passion. Platforms like Etsy and Redbubble offer opportunities to sell unique gaming products that appeal to fellow gamers.
Print-on-demand technology eliminates the need for inventory management and shipping, allowing creators to focus on designing and marketing products to gaming enthusiasts.
11. Build Your Own Video Game or App
Developing and launching a popular game or app on platforms like the App Store can be a lucrative endeavor. Game developers earn a 70% royalty on app sales and in-app purchases, creating a significant income potential for successful games.
Simple yet engaging games like Wordle have demonstrated the potential for substantial earnings, with creator Josh Wardle selling his game to The New York Times for over $1 million.
12. Be a Video Game Developer
Becoming a video game developer is a rewarding career choice for individuals interested in the gaming industry. Video game developers are responsible for bringing game ideas to life through coding and collaboration, with average salaries ranging around $100,000 per year.
13. Teach Video Game Design
Experienced individuals in video game design can share their knowledge by teaching others. Instructors can create engaging classes on platforms like Outschool, Udemy, or Skillshare to educate aspiring game designers and developers.
Instructors earn royalties for every student who enrolls in their courses, with top instructors generating thousands of dollars monthly.
14. Be a Professional Gamer
Participating in video game tournaments as a professional gamer offers the opportunity to earn prizes and recognition. By excelling in competitions and honing gaming skills, individuals can pursue a career as a professional gamer.
While elite gamers can earn substantial incomes, the majority earn modest amounts, similar to other competitive fields like professional sports or acting.
15. Become an E-Sports Star
ESports, or electronic sports, involve competitive gaming where players can win prizes by participating in multiplayer contests. Popular games like Dota, Counter-Strike, and League of Legends attract large audiences and offer significant prize money for winners.
Tournaments such as the League of Legends World Championship and Intel Extreme Masters offer substantial payouts and attract a global audience of gaming enthusiasts.
16. Write for Games
Writing for video games involves creating dialogue, lore, quests, and narratives for games. Indie studios and development teams often hire writers to enhance storytelling elements in their games.
Freelance writers in this field can earn between $100–$500+ per assignment, providing an opportunity to contribute to the gaming industry without coding experience.
17. Game Account Selling
Players who have invested time in games can sell their leveled-up accounts or rare items for profit. Platforms like PlayerAuctions and G2G facilitate the listing and selling of gaming accounts and items, with earnings ranging from $50 to $2,000+ based on account strength and rarity.
While some games discourage this practice, it can be a lucrative way to monetize gaming progress.
18. Build a Gaming Niche Newsletter or Blog
Creating a newsletter or blog focused on a specific gaming niche, such as updates, meta shifts, or indie game reviews, can attract traffic and engagement from gaming enthusiasts. Platforms like Kit can help launch and monetize niche gaming content through affiliate links, ads, and paid tiers.
19. Run a Discord Community and Monetize It
Building a Discord server around a popular game or genre can foster a community of gamers and provide opportunities for monetization. Creators can generate revenue through Patreon tiers, Discord premium memberships, affiliate links, brand collaborations, and exclusive member perks.
20. License Your Gameplay Footage
Players with high-quality gameplay footage can license their content to creators or companies for a fee. Platforms like Storyblocks or YouTube with a Creative Commons license can facilitate the licensing of gameplay footage for commercial use.
By offering cinematic shots, walkthroughs, or UI footage, gamers can earn a steady income from their video content.
21. Build Game-Specific Tools or Mods
Individuals with coding skills can create tools or mods for games and sell them through platforms like NexusMods or CurseForge. These tools can enhance gameplay and offer additional features, with paid versions providing extra functionalities for users.
Sharing useful tools within the gaming community can lead to recurring income and opportunities for further development.
22. Flip Gaming Gear or Collector’s Items
Flipping gaming products, such as limited-edition gear or retro collectibles, can be a profitable side hustle for gamers. By purchasing items at a low cost and reselling them for a higher price on platforms like eBay, individuals can earn $50–$200+ per flip.
Entrepreneurs specializing in gaming gear can build reselling businesses around exclusive releases and sought-after items, leveraging their gaming knowledge for profit.
Getting Paid to Play Video Games: Final Thoughts
Monetizing a passion for video games offers numerous opportunities for individuals to earn money. Whether through playing, coaching, reviewing, streaming, testing, developing, teaching, or other avenues, gamers can leverage their skills and interests to generate income.
The stigma of playing video games as a waste of time is outdated, with the modern gaming landscape providing diverse opportunities for gamers to turn their hobby into a lucrative career.
