The gaming industry exploded and became a multi-billion dollar market. For many people, video games are more than entertainment. They are actually using it for income. There are different ways to earn with games, including both passive and active income.
This article will explore some of the best ways to turn your gaming obsession in a real side hustle, or even your main income.
1. Streaming
One of the most popular and well-known ways of earning money by playing video games is by sharing your experience with others. How can you do that?
Itโs quite simple. All you need to do is to create a profile on some popular platform and gain more followers.
The most popular video game streaming platforms are:
- Twitch
- Youtube
Twitch
- Twitch streamers can earn between $500 and $3,000 per month.
- Another solution is to implement the affiliate program and earn from those who clicks on ads that lead to sponsors. You will get a small percentage each time someone buys anything through the ad on your stream. In case you got thousands of followers, that can easily turn into a few hundred each time you stream your games.
- There are also sponsors that will pay you to present their brand in your videos. That can be a cup on your table, a specific brand of speakers, and more.
YouTube
- Reports says that most streamers earns around $1,000.
- However, those who are more popular claims that they get more than $10,000 on their bank accounts each month.
- There are similar sponsorships as with the Twitch.
2. Online Gambling
We can freely say that gambling holds the same popularity as standard video games, especially in recent years when almost all betting providers created a platform where you can choose from a variety of options, including table games, slots, sports betting, and more.
So, there are multiple ways of earning money.
Playing Games
The most obvious way is the riskiest. You will find a lot of strategies, claims of people how they got accurate strageies, and whatnot. But you must keep in mind that luck is always the main factor whatever is the game.
The only real strategy you can implement to increase your chance of winning over time is to simply limit how much you are spending.
Streaming
Like with video games, there are many people who are streaming their gambling experience and actually win more from sponsors than they do from their wagers.
You will find a lot of well-known faces testing their luck online. But donโt get into it so easily, keep in mind that a lot of them have sponsorship deals(usually with Online Casinos) that pays them to play.
Another important thing to know before you start gambling online is to be aware of the fact that there are many scams. Therefore, you should always make sure that the platform is safe and reliable. Look for well-known websites like Joe Fortune.
3. Create Content About Video Games
Not all people are comfortable with showing their faces online. Also, streaming is not the only viable solution for earning in this industry. For example, you can start a faceless YouTube channel, blog, or even a page on social networks.
Faceless YouTube Channel
According to many owners of such channels, we can assume that the average monthly income can be over $500. It can become even higher if you get more followers. Stick to your niche (a specific game), and you will get more recognized and popular over time.
Blogging
Owning a website is a trend since the 90s and the well-known โdot.comโ revolution. But things are not as simple today as they were 20 or more years ago. However, there are still many ways of earning by owning a website, such as writing a blog.
We assume you know a lot about video games since you are reading this article, right? Well, use that knowledge, your skills, include tips, advice for beginners, and much more. All of that could be topics for creating new content on your blog.
You just need to monetize them all.
It can be difficult, but if you are talented for writing and sharing high-quality content, this might be the best choice.
Social Media
The rules are the same as for YouTube. You get money from ads and sponsored content.
X could be an interesting solution since it got upgraded from Twitter and with new monetization rules Elon Musk implemented.
4. Sell Merch Related to Video Games
The first thing to check out here is whether there are copyright issues you will break if you just decide to sell goods with a logo of your favorite brand. In most cases, that wonโt be allowed.
But you can always be creative. For instance, to choose characters from some game and base your products on them. A superhero, villain, or even a map in Counter-Strike.
When it comes to the options you can choose to earn money from, here are the best ones:
- T-shirts and hoodies
- Hats and beanies
- Posters and prints
- Mugs and drinkware
- Collectible items like action figures or plushies
The next step is to choose the right platform. It depends on what you are planning to sell. In case that you are planning to design prints for shirts and other clothes, print-on-demand is the best option. You can even expand that on mugs and other products.
Also, if you found a way to avoid any copyright issues, a shopping platform is the real deal. You can create your website and make it a favorite spot for all those games that love the same video games as you.
Reselling Items
The bonus model of earning has been popular for a very long time. If you research this field, you will find that people are trying to resell anything today, especially in this niche.
The most popular exchange and resell items are actually game cards. So, if you own some old baseball player card in your attic, search it online as you might be holding thousands of dollars with that card.
Moreover, it depends on your favorite games. Fans of Warcraft, for example, will often but various items related to this virtual world, like posters, books, or even pillows decorated with this theme.
The same goes for the latest games like PUBG, AmongUs, and more.
5. Become a Professional Player
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Did you know that there are people who call themselves professional video games players, and do that as their full-time jobs?
Not that there are players, but actual national teams are gathering on various tournaments all over the world. It is now regulated the same way as regular sports. You can even bet on these games.
The most popular video games for professionals are Dota 2, Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, LoL, Valorant, and FIFA.
The fun fact is that main tournaments have prize pools worth millions of dollars.
How to Become a Pro?
You wonโt be able to do it overnight. But, with dedication, practice, and lots of hours spent in front of the screen, you could manage it.
Another important factor is to find a good team. Almost all of these games require a team of professionals. For instance, Dota 2 is played 5v5.
Start with smaller, local tournaments and you might reach the big scene at some moment.
FAQs
Last Words
As you can see, there are various models of earning money. You must follow your talents and expectations when it comes to the right one.
For example, if you are just a fan of a game, but not so good at it, the natural option would be to sell merch over streaming or try to play it as a pro.
My name is Natasa Pantelic, and I work as a content editor in an IT company. By profession, I am a business administrator and a professional makeup artist. I enjoy taking care of my appearance and health through strength training, cardio, and a healthy diet. I also have a passion for music, socializing, adventures, and embracing new challenges.