Over the past few decades, video games have transformed from a niche pastime into a massive industry worth billions of dollars. What was once just a hobby is now a profession. Many people have made a full-time career out of it as professional gamers, streamers, YouTubers, bloggers, etc.
You don’t have to be an esports superstar to make money through video games. There are many avenues to capitalize on your love for gaming and earn some extra cash on the side. Check out these six ways you can make money from video games.
Live streaming gameplay sessions has become incredibly popular, especially on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. This means playing and streaming video games live for others to watch in real-time.
Top streamers can rake in over $5 million each year from various income streams like ad revenue, subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships, once they've built a solid fanbase. Even smaller channels can earn a decent amount, around $3 to $5 for every 1,000 ad views, plus a portion of subscription fees from loyal followers.
The process is quite accessible; you can create a free account and start streaming straight from your gaming device. Over time, as you gain more attention and followers, your earnings can increase significantly.
Successful YouTubers in this niche can earn substantial incomes, with top creators easily making seven figures annually. Even smaller channels can generate a steady stream of revenue once they've built a loyal audience, bringing in anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month.
Creating high-quality videos is not a simple task, but it offers creators full control over their content. Revenue streams can come from various sources like AdSense, sponsorships, selling merchandise, and crowdfunding campaigns.
Speedrunning is where you play and complete a video game (or its section) as fast as you can while people watch. It's super intense and requires serious dedication. Imagine trying to finish a game faster than anyone else in the world—that's the challenge speedrunners take on.
There are big events like SGDQ and AGDQ where speedrunners showcase their skills and people donate money. In these events, donors can bid real money to influence the game, like naming characters or setting unusual challenges.
Big platforms like Speed Demos Archive offer hefty prize pools exceeding $58k for speedrunning contests every year. But even if you're not aiming for the big bucks, there are still opportunities to earn smaller rewards through platforms like Bountysource and Speedrunbounty. Plus, if you become famous in the speedrunning world, you could make serious cash from streaming your runs and getting donations from fans.
Professional players can also earn significant incomes through sponsorships and streaming revenue, often reaching six or seven figures annually. However, becoming a professional gamer is no easy feat. It demands unwavering dedication, countless hours of practice, and the development of exceptional skills over several years. Despite its fame and fortune, the journey to becoming a pro gamer is filled with challenges and requires a relentless commitment to succeed in the fiercely competitive landscape of esports.
Beta testing entails trying out early versions of games to spot and report bugs and issues at different stages of development. Playtesting involves playing through parts or entire games to assess how enjoyable and playable they are, while also identifying areas that need improvement. Focus groups provide an avenue for gamers to discuss their likes, dislikes, and recommendations about games still in development.
Compensation for participating in these activities varies depending on the project and the company. It can range from around $10 for providing quick feedback on mobile games to over $90 per hour for more involved roles that are protected by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The time commitment can also vary, from short one-off sessions to longer-term contracts spanning several months.
Interested gamers can sign up on platforms like playtestcloud.com and userinterviews.com to receive opportunities tailored to their demographics and gaming interests. This allows them to contribute to the development of new games while earning some extra income.
You don’t have to be an esports superstar to make money through video games. There are many avenues to capitalize on your love for gaming and earn some extra cash on the side. Check out these six ways you can make money from video games.
1. Live Stream on Twitch or YouTube
Live streaming gameplay sessions has become incredibly popular, especially on platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming. This means playing and streaming video games live for others to watch in real-time.
Top streamers can rake in over $5 million each year from various income streams like ad revenue, subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships, once they've built a solid fanbase. Even smaller channels can earn a decent amount, around $3 to $5 for every 1,000 ad views, plus a portion of subscription fees from loyal followers.
The process is quite accessible; you can create a free account and start streaming straight from your gaming device. Over time, as you gain more attention and followers, your earnings can increase significantly.
2. Create Gaming-Related YouTube Videos
Gaming content on YouTube isn't just about live streams; edited and scripted videos are also hugely popular. While they require more effort to create, they offer more long-lasting value than live streaming. Millions of viewers flock to YouTube to watch gaming-related content, such as tips, gameplay compilations, speedruns, theories, reviews, and critiques of their favorite games.Successful YouTubers in this niche can earn substantial incomes, with top creators easily making seven figures annually. Even smaller channels can generate a steady stream of revenue once they've built a loyal audience, bringing in anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars per month.
Creating high-quality videos is not a simple task, but it offers creators full control over their content. Revenue streams can come from various sources like AdSense, sponsorships, selling merchandise, and crowdfunding campaigns.
3. Monetize a Gaming Blog
If you're more into writing than making videos, starting a gaming blog can be a lucrative venture. There are several ways you can make money through this:- Sponsored Posts: Game studios, streamers, or publishers might pay you to review their games or feature sponsored content on your blog.
- Affiliate Marketing: This is where you earn a commission by promoting gaming-related products like hardware, software, or tools that your audience might be interested in.
- Premium Memberships: You can provide special benefits like early access to content or bonus material to subscribers who pay a monthly fee for exclusive access.
- Display Ads: You can display pay-per-click ads from networks such as Google AdSense on your blog.
4. Speedrun Games for Prizes and Fame
Speedrunning is where you play and complete a video game (or its section) as fast as you can while people watch. It's super intense and requires serious dedication. Imagine trying to finish a game faster than anyone else in the world—that's the challenge speedrunners take on.
There are big events like SGDQ and AGDQ where speedrunners showcase their skills and people donate money. In these events, donors can bid real money to influence the game, like naming characters or setting unusual challenges.
Big platforms like Speed Demos Archive offer hefty prize pools exceeding $58k for speedrunning contests every year. But even if you're not aiming for the big bucks, there are still opportunities to earn smaller rewards through platforms like Bountysource and Speedrunbounty. Plus, if you become famous in the speedrunning world, you could make serious cash from streaming your runs and getting donations from fans.
5. Become a Professional Esports Gamer
Competitive gaming, also known as esports, has become a big industry. Top players on renowned teams can earn millions of dollars through tournament prizes and salaries. In 2021 alone, over 454 million people worldwide watched esports. Games like League of Legends offer substantial prize pools, with winners of the annual World Championship receiving over $2 million.Professional players can also earn significant incomes through sponsorships and streaming revenue, often reaching six or seven figures annually. However, becoming a professional gamer is no easy feat. It demands unwavering dedication, countless hours of practice, and the development of exceptional skills over several years. Despite its fame and fortune, the journey to becoming a pro gamer is filled with challenges and requires a relentless commitment to succeed in the fiercely competitive landscape of esports.
6. Get Paid to Play & Review New Games
Gaming companies often seek input from everyday gamers to improve their new games before they hit the market. This process involves various methods, such as beta testing, playtesting, and focus groups.Beta testing entails trying out early versions of games to spot and report bugs and issues at different stages of development. Playtesting involves playing through parts or entire games to assess how enjoyable and playable they are, while also identifying areas that need improvement. Focus groups provide an avenue for gamers to discuss their likes, dislikes, and recommendations about games still in development.
Compensation for participating in these activities varies depending on the project and the company. It can range from around $10 for providing quick feedback on mobile games to over $90 per hour for more involved roles that are protected by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs). The time commitment can also vary, from short one-off sessions to longer-term contracts spanning several months.
Interested gamers can sign up on platforms like playtestcloud.com and userinterviews.com to receive opportunities tailored to their demographics and gaming interests. This allows them to contribute to the development of new games while earning some extra income.