Are you an avid gamer that dreams of making money playing video games? Why not make that dream a reality? Truth be told, there are several ways that YOU (yes, you!) can earn money from gaming.

Millions of people make money playing video games every single day. There is a huge amount of money in the industry, with $151 billion of revenue generated in 2019 which is projected to reach $256 billion by 2025.[1]

Who wouldn’t want a slice of that? Unfortunately, it is no piece of cake.

That is where we are here to help. With our expert knowledge of all things video game, we will walk you through exactly which path is best for you. Get paid to stream games, compete in tournaments, develop games, or bet on games! Hone in on your skills and you could be making millions from doing what you love. Here is everything you need to know about how to make money playing video games.

Streaming

Are you pretty awesome at video gaming? Do you think others would love watching you play? If you answered yes, your first option to become a paid game player is to be a live game streamer.

Many players use platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, or Facebook and broadcast their gameplay live. You can earn money through paid advertisements, by recommending gaming products to other players, or through sponsorship.

eSports

Your second option is to get involved in eSports. In other words, professional competitive gaming for real money.

You can find several major gaming tournaments across the US and the world. 16-year-old Kyle Giersdorf took home $3 million after winning a Fortnite tournament in 2019.[2] If you are ace at a game, you too could go pro.

Not sure you have what it takes? No worries! You can also bet on the winners of video game contests or invest in eSports.

Development

Does the thought of playing for others to watch make your tummy turn? Does imagining yourself in the spotlight fill you with nerves? If you answered yes to these questions, developing video games might be for you.

You’ll need to get your head around coding and there is a lot to learn, but it can be extremely rewarding. Top game developers can get hired for $80,000+.

Other Ways to Make Money from Video Games

Aside from these three major money-making strategies, there are a few other options available. You can do these in combination with the big three, or as an alternative:

Make a Gaming Website: Nowadays, absolutely anyone can make a site for money. If you are a big gamer, why not build a website offering gaming reviews or guides? Produce good content that ranks well and you may well be able to partner with gaming companies who will give you free games to review. Eventually, you could end up earning money from advertisements or from selling products that you recommend.

Become a Video Game Tester: Before games are released, companies need players to trial them, and they pay a pretty penny for this. Top game testers could be looking upward of a $60,000 salary. The catch? You need to be an established gamer for most companies to hire you.

Coach Gamers How to Play: If you have a good following on a streaming platform or are a well-known player, others will pay you to coach them. You can earn anywhere from $20 up to $200 per hour depending on how in-demand your tips and tricks are.

Design Gaming Merchandise: If you’re more creative but don’t want to get into coding games, another option is designing the merch for games. Many people sell their own designs through online stores such as Etsy. For games with a large fanbase, there are plenty of opportunities to sell to the masses.