Today, making money through video games is easier than ever. But have you thought about: Can you really make a living by simply playing your favorite games? Yes, you can. The video game industry has many ways for gamers to make money. Let’s look at the top 10 online methods to earn from playing video games.
If you’re a gamer, this article is for you. It will show you how to make money online with your gaming skills. You can test new games, compete in tournaments, coach others, and even make your own gaming content. There are many ways to turn your hobby into a profitable venture.
Get Paid to Play New Games
Video game companies often look for people to test and give feedback on new games before they come out. As a video game tester, you can make money with a flat fee or by the hour. The pay is usually between $10 and $60 per hour, based on the game studio and the game’s complexity. It’s a fun way to make money, especially if you live near big gaming centers.
Companies like KashKick and Cash Giraffe connect gamers with chances to test new mobile games and earn rewards. For example, Freecash lets users earn $10 to $100+ by finding and reaching certain levels in new games. Cash Giraffe makes it easy to cash out with just $0.20, letting you earn money quickly by playing various games.
If you want to be a QA tester for video games, watch for job ads on game development company websites or online job boards. This is a great way to get paid to play new games and give important feedback to improve the final product.
Earn Cash Prizes in Video Game Tournaments
The rise of esports competitions has opened new doors for gamers. They can now earn cash by joining video game tournaments. Top professional gaming players can make millions. But even beginners can win hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Games like DOTA 2, Fortnite, Call of Duty, and League of Legends have big prize pools. To become a pro gamer takes a lot of hard work and skill. But, starting with smaller tournaments online or locally can help casual gamers make money from their hobby.
These tournaments welcome players of all levels. They offer a chance for gaming fans to show off their skills and win cash. Whether you’re experienced or new, video game tournaments can be both rewarding and exciting.
Become a Video Game Coach
The video game industry has grown to over $100 billion worldwide. This growth has led to a big increase in the need for video game coaching. Players of games like DOTA 2, Fortnite, PUBG, and Apex Legends can make money by coaching others.
Coaches can earn from $15 to more than $100 an hour. It’s key to have a good reputation in gaming circles. Players look for coaches who know the game well and can teach them new strategies. Offering game strategy tutorials and online tutoring can help you find and keep clients.
To be a successful coach, know your game inside out. Keep up with new updates and strategies. Always work on improving your own skills. Sites like Gamer Sensei help coaches find players to coach. Social media and creating content can also help you market your services.
Develop Your Own Games
Making and selling your own video games can be a great way to make money. Success is not sure, but some games can make a lot of money. With tools like Unity and Unreal Engine, even those without coding skills can make games, especially for mobile app games.
Creating a game with fun and addictive gameplay for smartphones can lead to passive income for an indie game studio.
Independent game developers have amazing success stories. Stardew Valley made $24 million on Steam in a year, beating Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Cardinal Quest earned nearly $60,000, and the Kingdom team got enough money to finish their game in one day.
Thanks to easy-to-use game engines and platforms, more people can make games. Tools like RPG Maker, The Sandbox, and Unity and Unreal Engine help non-tech people turn their game ideas into reality. By making a unique and fun mobile game, indie developers can enter the profitable world of mobile app games.
Stream Games on Twitch
Twitch is a big name in video game streaming. Gamers can make money by playing games and building a fan base. Top streamers can earn over $500,000 a year from ads, subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships.
To be a successful Twitch streamer, you need to be engaging and know your games well. It takes time and hard work to become popular. But, it can be a great way to make money from your gaming passion.
Success on Twitch means always providing great content that your viewers like. You might play games like Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, or Minecraft. A strong community of fans can open doors to making money through subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships.
If you want to be a Twitch influencer or already are one, it’s a great way to make money playing games. Improve your streaming skills, connect with your audience, and use different ways to earn. This can turn your love for streaming games into a profitable career.
Review New Game Releases
The video game industry is booming, with a revenue of nearly $347 billion in 2022. If you love games and know a lot about them, you can make money by becoming a freelance video game journalist or gaming content creator.
You can reach out to websites like GameZone, Fanbyte, and TheGamer to offer your services. They pay between $25 to $200 or more for each article, based on how big your audience is and how much you know. Sharing your love for game reviews with other gamers can be both fun and profitable.
If you’re good at reviewing games or just starting out in video game journalism, this is a great chance for you. Sharing your thoughts on new games with a big audience can be both rewarding and make you money. By always giving your best content, you’ll become a go-to source for gaming news. This can lead to more opportunities and ways to make money.
Best Ways to Earn Money Online Playing Video Games
In the gaming world, there are many ways to make money from your hobby. You can join eSports tournaments or become a video game coach. These are just a few examples of how you can turn your gaming skills into cash.
One top way to make money is by competing in eSports tournaments. The best players can win millions. Last year, eSports players earned over $156 million from 3,500 tournaments. A top player even made $4.2 million.
For those not at the pro level, there are still chances to win cash in smaller tournaments. This shows that anyone can make money from gaming, not just the pros.
Becoming a video game coach is another way to earn. You share your gaming knowledge and get paid for it. Top gamers can make up to $15,000 an hour doing this.
If you’re an entrepreneur at heart, you could create and publish your own video games. It takes hard work upfront, but successful developers can make a lot of money. Some non-pro gamers even earn a few thousand dollars a year this way.
There are many ways to make money from gaming, whether you’re into eSports or just playing for fun. The key is to find what you enjoy and work hard at it. With the right approach, you can turn your gaming hobby into a steady income.
Sign Up for Gaming Loyalty Apps
For mobile gaming fans, apps like Mistplay and KashKick are great. They pay you to try out new games on your Android or iOS device. You can earn $1 to $3 an hour, which is a nice way to get gift cards and prizes.
These apps keep track of how much you play and give you points or credits. With Mistplay, you can earn $3 to $5 an hour. InboxDollars pays about $50 for just 5 to 10 minutes of play a day. Swagbucks and MyPoints also let you earn cash and gift cards by completing certain game levels.
These mobile gaming apps that pay offer a fun way to make extra money. The money isn’t a lot, but it adds up. It’s a great way to earn rewards for doing what you love. So, if you’re into mobile gaming, check out these apps and start earning today.
Trade In-Game Items and Assets for Cash
Video games have changed a lot. They’re now a place where players can make real money by trading their in-game items and assets. Sites like Gameflip, DMarket, and Eldorado.io are leading the way. They let gamers sell their valuable gear, skins, and other virtual items for cash or cryptocurrency.
Some people worry about the legal side of in-game item trading. Game publishers might not allow players to sell their virtual goods. But, many players see the chance to make money from their digital items as too good to pass up. Rare items and top-tier gear can sell for hundreds of dollars on these virtual item marketplaces.
At Gameflip, over 6 million users are part of a thriving community. They’re all into buying, selling, and trading their digital item resale items. With secure payments, seller protection, and quick payouts, these sites make it easy for gamers to turn their virtual items into cash. If you want to earn extra money or cash in on your gaming wins, checking out in-game item trading is a smart move.
Enter Online Casino or eSports Betting
The popularity of esports betting has led to more regulated online sportsbooks and casinos. These platforms let users bet on professional matches and tournaments in popular esports games. If you know a game well and can predict winners, esports betting could be a way to make money. But, it’s risky and should be done at licensed betting sites.
The online casino gaming industry has grown a lot too. The first online casino started in 1994 by Microgaming. Since then, it has gotten better with easier user interfaces and more mobile gaming. With more legal sports betting chances, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the gaming world has gotten more popular and invested in.
For gamers wanting to make money from their skills, esports betting and online casino gaming are interesting options. But, it’s important to be careful because they can be risky. Being responsible and understanding the industry well is key to having a good time and staying safe.
Play Casino Games and Cash Out Winnings
Online gaming has made it easier to earn money with online casino gaming. Now, you can play classic games like poker, blackjack, and slots on your phone or computer. This lets players enjoy real money gambling from home.
If you’re good at strategy games or know how to increase your chances of winning, legal online casinos can be a way to make money. Sites like FanDuel Casino, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Golden Nugget let you put money in, get welcome bonuses, and cash out your winnings easily.
But remember, it’s important to gamble responsibly when trying to make money this way. Being careful and keeping things in balance is key to having a good and lasting experience.
Join Game Testing Websites
Before games hit the market, they go through video game testing and quality assurance. Sites like KashKick and Cash Giraffe link gamers with new games for feedback, paying $90 to $120 per game beta testing task.
It’s a competitive field, but game testing pays you to play and share your insights. The Gamasutra Salary Survey shows testers make about $54,833 a year on average. Those with over 6 years of experience earn closer to $62,885 annually.
Testers can make $10 to $100 an hour, based on the company, experience, and location. Sites like PlaytestCloud, Testbirds, and BetaTesting offer real chances to earn for your video game testing skills. You get paid through PayPal or directly to your bank.
Being a game tester is a great way for gamers to make money. It lets you help shape the games you love. With the right skills and effort, you can make gaming a side job or even a career.
Create Video Game Guides and Tutorials
Turn your gaming skills into a side hustle by making video game guides and tutorials. You can self-publish on Amazon or work with gaming websites. Helping other players master games can bring in good money.
A friend of the Side Hustle Nation author was making thousands a month from a Minecraft guide on Amazon. This shows how much you can earn if you know the game well. Creating game walkthroughs, gaming content creation, and video game guides can be a great way to make money from your gaming.
The market for video game guides and tutorials is very competitive, especially for well-known games. To stand out, your content must offer deeper insights and cover more than others. The GameFAQs “Bounty Program” pays cash for detailed walkthroughs, starting at $200 per guide. But, making a good living from it can be hard.
Even with the challenges, making and selling game walkthroughs, gaming content creation, and video game guides is still a good way for gamers to earn. By always making quality content, you can grow a loyal following and earn a steady income.
Participate in Play-to-Earn Games
Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies have created a new type of game called “play-to-earn.” In these games, players can earn in-game money or NFTs. These items can then be traded or sold for real money. For example, in Axie Infinity, players can raise, trade, and battle NFT characters. The value of these characters goes up as players level them up.
The play-to-earn gaming market is growing fast. It was worth $3.29 billion in 2022 and is expected to hit $8.8 billion by 2028. Games like Axie Infinity, The Sandbox, and Decentraland have drawn in millions of players. These games let gamers make money from their skills and time spent playing.
As blockchain gaming grows, more players can earn from their gaming. These games mix fun, skill-building, and real money rewards. They connect the virtual and real worlds. With more people using blockchain and cryptocurrencies, play-to-earn gaming looks promising for the future.
