Making money from playing video games may sound too good to be true, but there are actually a number of ways you can earn a substantial amount of cash. From streaming your gameplay on platforms like Twitch, to competing in tournaments and selling game-related merchandise, almost anyone with enough dedication and skill has the potential to make money off their hobby.
Here are 12 ways to make money playing video games:
1. Stream your gameplay
Video streaming is an incredibly popular form of entertainment today, and it’s a great way to make money playing video games. If you have the right equipment and platform, viewers will be able to watch your skill in action and potentially donate or tip you during your streams.
2. Participate in tournaments
Professional gamers often take part in tournaments such as Major League Gaming (MLG) events where they compete for large prizes on popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like DOTA 2 or League of Legends. You can enter smaller scale tournaments for cash rewards too, so if you think you have what it takes to become a winner, why not give it a go?
3. Review games
If you enjoy playing new video games, you could make money doing it by writing reviews for them and posting your thoughts online. You can even create a YouTube channel to post game playthroughs, commentary, and other content related to the game you’re reviewing.
4. Become a beta tester
Game developers often look for people willing to test their games in development so they can get feedback on bugs or glitches that need fixing before they launch their product. Not only is this fun, but you can also get paid for doing it!
5. Sell in-game items and currency
If you become an expert at a certain video game, there are players out there who would be willing to pay for your in-game items or currency. You can post these items and currency on sites like http://angelos.art and eBay or use gaming services like PlayerAuctions to find buyers.
6. Create walkthroughs and tutorials
If you’re skilled at playing video games, why not create guides and tutorials for other players? People are often looking for tips and tricks that will help them get the most out of their game, so creating a thorough guide is an excellent way to make money off your knowledge.
7. Become a coach or tutor
Just as some people hire tutors to help with school, there are plenty of gamers who may be interested in getting better at their favorite game by having someone show them the ropes. If you think you have what it takes to be a good coach, why not offer your services to gamers who are in need?
8. Make YouTube videos of your gaming sessions
YouTube is a great platform for sharing gameplay footage, and if you make entertaining content that people want to watch, there’s potential to earn money from ads or donations from viewers.
9. Sell game accounts and characters
Many games feature permanent characters that can be traded between players – these are known as “accounts” or “names” – and they can be very valuable. People will pay real-world money for powerful characters with rare items attached to them, so if you’ve got a few of these, you could make a tidy sum of cash.
10. Sell gaming-related merchandise
If you’ve got a large following as a gamer, you can take advantage of it by selling gaming-related T-shirts and other merchandise with your logo or alter ego on them. You can either design the products yourself or partner with an online store to help you out.
11. Use affiliate links for game purchases
Many online stores offer affiliate programs where you can earn money from linking to certain products from your website or YouTube channel. If you have a large audience, this is an easy way to generate some extra income while promoting games that your followers love!
12. Become an eSports commentator/analyst
Professional gamers often have their own teams or organizations, and they need people to commentate on their matches. If you’re passionate about eSports, this could be a great job for you! You can also earn money by being an analyst, who evaluates the performance of certain players or teams and gives advice on how to improve.
These are just some of the ways that you can make money playing video games. With hard work and dedication, you could even turn it into a full-time career! So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start gaming for cash! Good luck!