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7 Ways You Can Get Paid for Playing Games

Is it possible to make money playing games? The answer is yes! The global video game market is a multi-billion dollar industry, supported by billions of players and hundreds of thousands of employees. In this important economic sector, there are many ways to make money from the comfort of your home. 
Here we'll tell you about main 7 ways to make money for gaming, including methods that don't require technical skills and those that use technical expertise.
But first, let's look at the bottom line: how much money can you make playing games?
How much money can you make playing video games?
To gauge the profit potential of gaming, let's look at the scale of the video game industry. About two in five people in the world play video games, and the number of gamers is estimated to grow from 2.95 billion in 2022 to 3.07 billion by 2023, according to a report by gaming market research firm Newzoo.
The global video game market was estimated at $195.65 billion in 2021 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% from 2022 to 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research, a market analysis firm. In 2020, the considerable industry employed about 300,000 workers, according to industry data analyzed by market research firm IBISWorld.
 
While that number doesn't directly reflect the number of workers who make a living from video games, it indirectly shows how many people are needed to sustain the industry. In addition to hundreds of thousands of full-time office and remote workers, the video game industry is supported by a proportionate number of open-source developers, beta testers, reviewers, bloggers, brand ambassadors, social media marketers, and others. In this vast infrastructure, there are many opportunities for video gamers who are not full-time employees to make extra money from their favorite hobby.
 
 
Elspeth Eastman's live success
Only some people will achieve Barone's success, but his story shows that you can make good money from gaming. As another example, voice actress Elspeth Eastman, known for voicing Tristana in League of Legends, gets paid for live streaming her games.
 
Because she has hundreds of thousands of subscribers, advertisers are willing to pay her for partnerships, and she also receives commissions for paid subscriptions. Although she doesn't publicly disclose her income, analysts estimate that she earns up to $646 a month from her Twitch subscriptions and up to $221 a month from her YouTube channel, in addition to her regular income as a voice actress.
Of course, you're probably not a famous voice actress, and we can't guarantee that you'll reach the same income levels, at least not without hard work. But you can use similar strategies on a smaller scale to increase your current income or go on to make a steady income from video games. How much you earn will depend on which method you use and how you approach it. Here are 7 main ways you can use to make money from games:

Some methods of making money from games require you to be an experienced player or developer. Others require only an enthusiasm for the game and a willingness to work. Our list of the top 7 ways to make money from games includes the following.
 
1. Live Streaming
 If you're good at gaming or have an entertaining personality, you can make money live-streaming yourself playing. Now you might be wondering why anyone would want to watch me play and want to pay me to play. There are several reasons people like to watch other people play video games:
 
  • To pick up tips from someone who is a more advanced player
 
  • To witness exceptional gameplay
 
  • To listen to someone who offers entertaining narration as they play
 
  • To connect with others in the gaming community who are watching
 
  • The fact that people like to watch others play video games creates a number of ways to earn money from broadcasting gaming live streams:
 
  • Viewers may make donations to express appreciation for good or entertaining play.
 
  • Avid viewers may sign up for paid subscriptions.
 
  • Attendees to special live-stream events may pay for tickets.
 
  • Gaming brands may sponsor players who attract attention to their games.
 
  • Advertises may pay players who have large followings.
 
  • Affiliate marketing partners may pay commissions for promoting their products.
 
  • Popular gamers can make and sell their merchandise.
 
To make money from live Streaming, you'll need to be interesting enough that people want to watch you play. Being a good player is the easiest way to attract interest, but if you're funny or good at telling stories while you play, people might watch you even if you're not the best player.
 
You'll also need a suitable platform for live Streaming. Some of your best options include:
 
  • Twitch
  • YouTube Gaming
  • Facebook Gaming
  • DLive
 
2. Creating game guides on video platforms
Creating video game guides on platforms like YouTube is another way to make money from games. Video game players look for guides for many reasons, including:
  • To see if the game is interesting
  • To find out how to play.
  • To get tips on advanced gaming
  • To find out the latest gaming news
  • To have fun
  • To socialize with other players
  • You can satisfy these interests by creating a video game guide channel that offers:
  • Game reviews
  • Educational tips for beginners
  • Advanced tips for experienced players
  • Industry news
  • Informative or entertaining commentary on gameplay.
 
Once you've launched a guide channel, you can monetize it in a variety of ways, including:
  • Donations and subscriptions from viewers
  • Advertising commissions from brands that promote links on your channel
  • Sponsorships and affiliate marketing from gaming brands.
To successfully use this method of making money from games, you'll need equipment such as a camera, microphone, and video editing software, in addition to the equipment you use to play video games, whether it's a console or PC. You will need to be able to create video guides. This includes:
  • Recording screenshots of your game
  • Using video editing programs to edit your footage
  • Adding effects such as text, music, and animation
  • Uploading and sharing videos



3. Writing game guides for your site
You can monetize game guides in both written and video forms. One option is to sell written game guides through your website. They can either stand alone or be sold along with a video.
What should a written video game guide talk about? The following topics should be considered:
  • A walkthrough that tells players the essential details, such as where they go, what they do, what enemies they encounter, what rewards they get, and what different abilities and items do.
  • Gameplay basics, such as which platforms you can play on, system requirements, how to play single-player and multiplayer.
  • Tutorials on game features
  • Tips and tricks for advanced play
  • Extension options
 
Screenshots and other graphics should support written materials to make it easier for readers to understand what you're talking about. You can post videos on your site in addition to written content.
You can publish your content on secure pages, posts on your site, or in a downloadable e-book format. One promotional strategy is to offer free content as an incentive to buy your premium content. Another option is to offer free textbooks but monetize your site in another way, such as advertising or affiliate marketing.




4. Offering tips on learning how to play the game
Another way to make money by sharing your gaming knowledge is to become a video game coach. Video game coaches help clients improve their gaming skills. Game coaches can provide services such as:
  • Reviewing game replay tapes and providing recommendations.
  • Guiding strategies, tips, and practice exercises
  • Watching the game live
  • Game Coaches can provide services one-on-one or in a group setting, such as a webinar or digital seminar.
 
Depending on your skill level, you can offer game coaching services to players at any level, from beginner to tournament participant. The higher your skill level and the more insight you can offer, the more you can charge for your services.
 
To become a game coach, you will need several qualifications:
  • Experience as a gamer.
  • Up-to-date knowledge of game versions and gameplay
  • Teaching skills include observing player behavior, relay instructions, answering questions, and assessing progress.
If you want to teach gaming in a formal environment, such as a university, you may need to obtain a teaching certificate or meet other requirements.
To find students, you can use several marketing strategies, including:
  • Creating a website with a blog that publishes teaching tips
  • Creating a YouTube channel offering free coaching samples
  • Becoming a coach on a platform such as Gamer Sensei

Coaching can work well with some of the other monetization ideas discussed here. For example, if you already have fans of a live stream or share video tutorials with your subscribers, you can offer them coaching services.
 
5. Become a video game journalist
If you have writing skills and love video games, you can make money as a game journalist. Game journalists can get paid for:
  • Writing game reviews
  • Reporting gaming news
  • Interviewing figures in the video game industry
  • Covering game industry events
 
If you want to go into game journalism, you'll need strong writing skills first. A degree in journalism or a similar subject can help, but it's not as essential as demonstrating your writing ability. Consider starting a blog to gain experience and build a portfolio you can show editors. You can monetize your blog through ads and affiliate marketing methods while building your credentials.
You don't have to restrict yourself to writing about video games, either. If you can gain writing experience blogging on other topics, this can provide you with a platform for launching into game journalism.
Once you've got the writing background, you can start looking for opportunities to contribute freelance articles or get hired as an employee. You can look for opportunities by:
  • Studying the submission guidelines of video game websites you'd like to write for and developing article ideas to pitch
  • Networking with other writers, editors, and gaming industry contacts through social media and industry events
  • Replying to want ads on sites such as Video Game Journalism Jobs
You may find it easier to break in if you can carve out a specialty in a particular niche. For example, you might focus on writing about a specific game or brand.
 
6. Video game playtesting
Playtesters provide video game companies with feedback on how easy and enjoyable a game is. This helps game developers identify issues that detract from user experience and make improvements to enhance gameplay.
Playtesters play games under the guidance of developers' instructions so that developers can observe them and gather information about:
  • Whether players understand game instructions
  • Whether game controls and features work as intended
  • What players learn easily
  • Where players get stuck
  • What players spend their time on
  • How players rate their overall experience
  • What aspects of the gameplay would players like to see improved?
  • What features and benefits are most appealing
  • Whether the game is commercially viable in its current form.
 
Playtesters can be volunteers, freelancers, or full-time employees. To become a playtester, you need to combine a passion for the game with a good work ethic, which includes the ability to follow directions, meet deadlines, and pass on feedback.
You can find playtester jobs through job postings, or you can take the initiative to contact video game companies to see if they need playtesters. You will need to put together a cover letter and resume in which you talk about your gaming background and your experience as a gamer, especially your previous playtesting experience.
 
7. Video game quality assurance (QA) testing
QA testers test gameplay from a technical perspective. They differ from playtesters in that they are more focused on improving the user experience, while QA testers focus on fixing technical problems underlying the user experience. QA testers are full-time employees, while playtesters are often freelancers. However, the terminology is not rigid. You can sometimes find QA testers referred to as playtesters and vice versa, so make sure you understand their responsibilities before applying for a job.
 
QA testers' duties include:
  • Playing games and providing technical feedback
  • Writing bug reports
  • Logging glitches
  • Giving feedback to other development team members, such as engineers, designers, and artists.
 
Within QA testing, there may be specialized positions. For example, some QA testers work with automated testing tools, while others test specific aspects of gameplay. Specialized QA positions are often management positions.
Professional video game companies usually prefer QA testers certified by the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) and the American Software Testing Qualifications Board (ASTQB).
Some positions may require a college degree, but even if not needed, you may benefit from a degree in a field such as computer programming or graphic design. Good writing skills will help you write better bug reports, so consider taking a technical writing course.
 
One way to start gaining experience as a QA tester, even before getting certified, is to volunteer as a beta tester. Beta testers are user groups that help development teams test products almost ready for public release. They are often volunteers, although they may get paid. You can join beta tester communities to get involved. This can also be a great way to network and learn about job opportunities.



Some of these ways are more suitable for different people based on their interests and inclinations. Many of them can be combined together to increase your income. Use the methods that work best for you.