Are you ready to make your gaming passion pay off? Today, there are more ways than ever to earn money playing games. From Esports to Twitch streaming, and even video game testing, the options are endless. This guide will show you how to turn your gaming hobby into a side income.
Key Takeaways
- Over half of the gaming revenue in 2021 was generated by mobile games.
- Around 85% of gaming revenue comes from free-to-play games, with 79% of mobile games making money through microtransactions.
- Popular games can generate revenue through licensing, merchandise, and data monetization.
- Player retention is crucial for driving up revenue in mobile games.
- Numerous platforms and opportunities exist for gamers to earn money, from live streaming to professional testing.
Are you ready to use your gaming skills to make money? Dive into our ultimate guide. Learn the strategies to earn money playing games today.
Get Paid to Review Video Games
Are you a big fan of video games and like to share your thoughts on new releases? You might be able to make money from your gaming passion. The world of video game review blogging and video game journalism lets you get paid to play and review games.
Tips for Creating a Gaming Review Blog
To start, set up your own video game review blog. This means spending money to play new games and then writing about them quickly. Build a group of followers, make a media kit, and reach out to game companies for work together. Experts say video game journalists can make between $26,000 and $100,000 a year, based on their experience and writing skills.
- Invest in playing newly released games to review
- Write reviews within the first week of a game’s release
- Grow a loyal following for your gaming review blog
- Create a media kit to pitch to game companies for collaborations
- Earn between $26,000 to $100,000 annually as a video game journalist
Platforms like KashKick, Bingo Cash, and Mistplay let you get paid to play and review games. You can make $90 to $120 for some games. Cash Giraffe also connects you with new games and rewards you with gift cards or PayPal money for playing.
| Platform | Downloads | Earning Potential |
|---|---|---|
| KashKick | Top pick for play-to-earn games | $90-$120 per game |
| Mistplay | Over 10 million downloads | Rewards in “units” for gift cards |
| Cash Giraffe | Over 5 million downloads | Tracks gameplay, rewards gift cards or PayPal |
Become a Professional Video Game Tester
Are you looking for a career that’s both fun and pays well? Consider becoming a professional video game tester. These jobs pay about $61,000 a year on average. Entry-level positions start at $49,000, and experienced testers can earn up to $76,000.
As a professional video game tester, you’ll find and fix bugs before the game comes out. You’ll work on early versions of the game during alpha testing and get feedback from players during beta testing. This helps improve the game’s design and usability.
To succeed, you need to be detail-oriented, analytical, and know a lot about games. Companies like Blizzard Entertainment and Epic Games look for testers with ISTQB certification from ASTQB.
The job can be tough, with 43% of testers leaving within a year. But, the demand for skilled testers keeps growing. In 2022, over 10,000 games were released online, showing the need for good testers.
There are many careers in the gaming industry, like being an artist, developer, or professional gamer. With the industry making $347 billion in 2022 and cloud gaming growing by 44% by 2024, now is a great time to join.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average annual salary of game testers in the US | $64,159 |
| Entry-level video game tester salary range | $49,000 – $76,000 |
| Percentage of video game testers who stay in their job for less than 1 year | 43% |
| Percentage of video game testers who stay in their job for 1-2 years | 32% |
| Number of video games released online in 2022 | Over 10,000 |
| Gaming industry revenue in 2022 | $347 billion |
| Projected growth in cloud gaming hours by 2024 | 44% |
If you love gaming and want a career, check out video game testing. It’s a field with growing demand and many opportunities. It could be the start of a rewarding career in the gaming world.
Quality Assurance (QA) Consulting for Gaming Companies
The gaming industry is booming, expected to hit $268.8 billion by 2025, up from $178 billion in 2021. This growth means a big demand for QA services to make sure games run smoothly.
QA Testing Opportunities
QA jobs in gaming are often freelance, perfect for a side hustle. You can earn $15 to $20 an hour, based on your experience. Your job is to play through games, find issues, and make sure they’re ready for players.
Want QA testing as a full-time job? You can get hired by a game developer and work up. Experienced QA pros can make $70,000 to over $100,000 a year, showing how rewarding this career can be.
There are many types of QA testing, like for mobile, PC, and online games. The main goal is to find bugs, ensure reliability, and give valuable feedback. This helps make games better and saves money by fixing problems early.
Today, QA focuses on perfect functionality, easy navigation, and great multiplayer experiences. To be a top QA tester, you need skills like problem-solving, industry knowledge, and meeting deadlines. You should also have strong attention to detail, analytical skills, good memory, and patience.
The gaming industry offers many chances for those into video game QA testing and QA consulting for gaming companies. Whether you want to get paid to play games as a tester or aim for a career, there’s a lot of potential for growth and good pay.
Live Stream Video Games
Live streaming video games is now a great way to make money. Sites like Twitch and Facebook Gaming let creators earn by building a fan base. You’ll need a good gaming setup, like a quality webcam, microphone, and fast internet.
On Twitch, streamers can make money through donations, selling items, and being an Affiliate or Partner. Affiliates get a cut of subscription earnings, and Partners get more ways to make money, like bit cheers and special channel features. Platforms like Uscreen can help creators earn up to $12,000 a month.
Facebook Gaming is also a chance for gamers to make money. You can earn from fan subscriptions and ads, reaching many users. The U.S. live commerce market was worth about $50 billion in 2023, showing its growing value.
To do well in live streaming, you need a loyal audience and engaging content. Some streamers make up to $350 an hour with their skills, like web design or programming. Brands pay between $15 to $50 for every 1,000 views, offering more ways to earn.
Games like Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto, and Minecraft have big, enthusiastic communities. Fortnite had over 250 million players monthly in 2022, and over 1 billion hours of play were watched on Twitch in 2020. Top Minecraft streamers on Twitch have over a million followers, showing the platform’s huge potential.
Whether you’re an experienced gamer or new to live streaming, making money by sharing your gaming passion is easier than ever. Use platforms like Twitch and Facebook Gaming to turn your gaming skills into a profitable career.
how to earn money on playing games
In today’s digital world, you can earn cash rewards for playing games on your phone or tablet. Apps like Benjamin work with game makers to make playing games rewarding. You can earn real money by reaching certain levels or goals in games like Coin Master, Family Island Farm, Dice Dreams, and Match Masters.
To earn more, focus on improving your skills and completing challenges. Playing regularly and getting better can help you earn money over time. Also, using platforms like Benjamin can help you make more money by connecting with your favorite games.
Popular games can offer a lot of rewards. Freecash pays $10 to $100+ for finding new games and hitting levels. Cash Giraffe lets you cash out with just $0.20. Bingo Cash tournaments can offer $20 to $50 or more in prizes, and Kashkick has offers that pay $5 to $10+.
| Game | Potential Earnings |
|---|---|
| Solitaire Cash | $3 to $55+ |
| Rewarded Play | $5 minimum to redeem |
| Blitz Win Cash | $3 to $45+ |
| Scrambly | $20 to $95+ |
| Bubble Cash | $5 to $50+ |
Whether you play games for fun or seriously, there are many ways to earn cash rewards for playing games. By using the right platforms and improving your skills, you can turn your gaming into a way to make money. This could be a side job or even a full-time income.
Become a Video Game Coach
If you love playing video games and know them well, you could make money as a coach. You can teach other gamers through online tutorials, screen-sharing, and group classes. Share your tips, tricks, and strategies to help others improve.
Coaching Opportunities
At Gamer Sensei, you can set your own prices, starting at $30 an hour. Or, you can sell your coaching on Fiverr for your favorite games. Your earnings depend on your experience, the game’s popularity, and the competition.
Gaming coaches can make $10 to $100 or more per session. Your income can be extra cash weekly or hundreds or thousands a month. This depends on demand, how much people value your services, and how often you coach.
| Coaching Platform | Typical Hourly Rate | Potential Monthly Income |
|---|---|---|
| Gamer Sensei | $30+ | $100 – $1,000+ |
| Fiverr | $10 – $100+ | $50 – $500+ |
| Local Coaching | Varies | Varies |
To be a great video game coach, play games often and build a social media presence. Working with eSports coaching groups can also help you reach more people and grow your business.
“The rare Axie #2655 from Axie Infinity, known as ‘Sir Gregory,’ was sold for over $800,000 (369 ETH), showing the big value in gaming and esports.”
Participate in Video Game Tournaments
For gamers looking to make money, video game tournaments are a great choice. Sites like GameChampions host many tournaments in popular games. This gives players of all skills a chance to compete and win cash.
GameChampions makes sure players face opponents of similar skill with its “Fair Play Guarantee”. This ensures a fair game. The site has given out over $10 million in prizes, showing its support for video game tournaments and competitive gaming.
Players can get their winnings fast, in just hours to a few days. GameChampions also offers 24/7 customer support for any questions or issues.
| Tournament Prize Amounts | Entry Fees | Seats Available |
|---|---|---|
| $10.00, $20.00, $40.00, $500.00 | $3.00 to $22.00 | 2 seats and 4 seats |
GameChampions runs online tournaments with prizes over $5,000 weekly. They cover a variety of popular games. By joining, players can enter daily cash tournaments for games like EA SPORTS™, racing, and shooters. This means everyone can earn money playing in tournaments, no matter their skill level.
For newcomers, GameChampions also has free tournaments. But for those wanting to earn money playing in tournaments, the site requires legal age and some basic info.
Create Video Game Guides and Tutorials
If you love gaming and know a lot about different games, you can make money by creating guides and tutorials. You can help other players get better at the game, beat tough levels, or find secret features. This way, you share your knowledge and make money doing it.
A friend of mine makes a lot of money each month by self-publishing Minecraft guides on Amazon. He didn’t have a big audience at first. But, he was found by people looking for Minecraft tips online.
To start your own guide or tutorial business, follow these steps:
- Find a popular game with lots of players who could use guides.
- Look into what players struggle with or want to learn more about in the game.
- Make guides or videos that are easy to follow and fun to watch.
- Look into selling your guides on places like Amazon, your own site, or gaming forums.
- Use social media, gaming groups, and SEO to get your content seen by more people.
By offering top-notch video game guides and tutorials, you can make money from your gaming skills. This could be a side job or a full-time business.
“Pro DOTA player N0TAIL has won over $7 million in prize money throughout his competitive gaming career.”
To succeed, make sure your content is useful, interesting, and well-made. It should meet the needs of your audience. With the right strategy, you can earn money creating game tutorials and become a well-known gamer.
Explore Crypto Gaming and NFTs
Cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) have opened new ways for video gamers to make money. In games like Axie Infinity, players can collect, trade, and fight NFT pets called Axies. As you improve your characters, they get more valuable and can be sold for real money. The game’s currency, Axie Infinity Shards, can be swapped for real cryptocurrency. Crypto gaming is a growing field that offers gamers a chance to earn money through blockchain gaming.
Games like The Sandbox and Decentraland let players own virtual land and assets that are valuable in the real world. These games show how blockchain technology can make virtual economies real.
- Axie Infinity has over 2.8 million daily active users and has made over $4.27 billion in sales by 2024.
- The Sandbox has over 24,000 LAND owners and more than 130,000 creators by 2024.
- Splinterlands has over 1.5 million registered users and $7.44 million in tournament prizes.
- Decentraland has 90,601 land parcels, each 16×16 meters in size.
Crypto gaming and NFT gaming offer many ways to make money, like staking, lending, and mining cryptocurrencies. Players can also earn by doing tasks, joining tournaments, or selling their virtual items.
“The Play-to-Earn gaming market size was $3292.73 million in 2022 and is projected to exceed $8800 million by 2028.”
The crypto gaming and NFT gaming industries are growing, making it more possible to earn money through blockchain gaming. By knowing the rules, community, financial needs, and time needed, gamers can turn their hobby into a profitable business.
Conclusion
The gaming world has grown into a huge global market, making over $150 billion a year. This means gamers can turn their hobby into a way to make money. You can review games, test them, live stream, coach, or join tournaments to earn.
Crypto gaming and NFTs have brought new ways for gamers to make money. Games like Axie Infinity, Decentraland, and others let players earn cryptocurrency and digital assets. This is while they enjoy playing games.
This guide shows you how to use your gaming love to make money. Whether you want to earn from games, make money from your hobby, or try different side hustles, there are many options. Get ready to make your gaming passion pay off and see the financial benefits it brings.
FAQ
What are the different ways to earn money by playing video games?
You can earn money by playing video games in many ways. You can be a video game journalist, a professional tester, or a quality assurance (QA) consultant. You can also live stream games, play mobile games, coach others, enter tournaments, create guides, or explore crypto gaming and NFTs.
How can I become a video game journalist and get paid to review games?
To be a video game journalist, you can work for a gaming publication or freelance. Your income can range from ,000 to 0,000 a year. To succeed, play new games right after they come out, write reviews quickly, build a following, and pitch to game developers and publishers.
What does it take to become a professional video game tester?
Professional video game testers find and fix bugs before games are released. They also give feedback on the game’s design and usability. With lots of experience, this job can be rewarding, offering an average salary of ,813 a year.
How can I earn money through video game QA testing?
QA jobs in gaming are often freelance, making them a great side job. You can earn – an hour based on your experience. As a QA tester, you’ll play different game builds until you find the best one. If you want a career, aim for a game development company and work your way up to earn ,000 to over 0,000.
What does it take to start earning money by live streaming video games?
To live stream games, you need a good gaming setup, fast internet, and the right streaming tools. You can earn on Twitch through donations, selling merchandise, or becoming a Twitch Affiliate. Facebook Gaming also offers earnings from fan subscriptions and ads. Success comes from building a loyal audience and making engaging content.
How can I earn money by playing mobile games?
Many mobile games let you earn real money by playing. Apps like Benjamin offer cash rewards for reaching certain levels or milestones. Popular games for earning include Coin Master, Family Island Farm, and Dice Dreams. To earn more, focus on your skills, complete quests, join communities, and use platforms like Benjamin to boost your earnings.
How can I become a video game coach and get paid to share my expertise?
Video game coaching is for those who know games well. You can teach others through tutorials and screen-sharing. Platforms like Gamer Sensei let you set your rates, starting at an hour. You can also offer coaching on Fiverr or find local clients.
Can I earn money by participating in video game tournaments?
Yes, you can earn money in video game tournaments, even if you’re not a pro. Platforms like GameChampions offer rewards for players of all levels. They match you with similar skill levels and have paid out over million in prizes so far.
How can I earn money by creating and selling video game guides and tutorials?
You can sell video game guides or tutorials to make money from your gaming knowledge. Show others how to beat tough levels or improve their skills. Self-publishing these guides can be a profitable side job.
What opportunities are there in the emerging space of crypto gaming and NFTs?
Crypto gaming and NFTs offer new ways for gamers to make money. In games like Axie Infinity, you can trade and battle NFT pets called Axies. As you level up, your Axies can be sold for real cryptocurrency. Crypto gaming is a growing field with potential for gamers to earn through their passion.