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Gaming Side Hustle

17 Proven Ways to Get Paid Playing Games

Gaming is evolving from a pastime to a lifestyle and yes, you really can get paid to play video games

With the rise of game development, eSports, and game streaming, there has never been a better time to make money from your video game hobby. The number of new gaming revenue streams has increased in recent years, and there are a lot more ways to monetize this interest.

We have compiled the top 17 ways to earn money by playing your favorite video games, whether you’re looking for a side gig to earn a little extra cash in your spare time or if you want to turn it into a career and replace your full-time income!

How Much Money Can You Really Make From Playing Video Games?

There is no way to calculate an average; your earnings will depend on the games you play, the content you produce, the platforms you use, and the amount of time you invest.

The amount of money you can make playing online games varies greatly. If you play mobile game apps for fun, you can make about $50 a month, but reports claim that serious gamers can make anywhere from $20 to $200 per hour from gaming. 

Participating in events like game tournaments, which frequently award cash prizes and other incentives, can, however, boost these earnings. Game tournament payouts can range from thousands to tens of thousands per tournament. Professional players typically make between $1,000 and $5,000 per month or between $12,000 and $60,000 annually. 

Whatever your objectives, time constraints, and interests, you can find a video game niche and make money while pursuing those interests. 

In this section, we’ll go over some of the best ways to earn money playing games. 

Get Paid Playing Games – The Easy Options

Play-to-Earn Game Apps

Playing mobile games won’t make you rich, but if you love games and trivia, it can be a fun side hobby that allows you to make some extra money! 

The following list includes some of the most well-liked paid-for game apps: 

  • Mistplay
  • Swagbucks
  • Cashyy 
  • Givling
  • Drop
  • Dabbl
  • PaidGamePlayer.com
  • Blackout Bingo
  • Rewarded Play
  • Boodle
  • Coin Pop App
  • Lucktastic
  • Bananatic

Play at Game Websites

Play games, finish projects, and receive rewards. Gamehag is a fine illustration of this kind of website. You can play free online games on Gamehag to gather Soul Gems and trade them in for rewards. 

Another example is PlayVig.com which is a relatively new website that provides gamers with a way to earn money playing games. You can start earning as soon as you register with PlayVig and install the software on your computer.

Play Against Other Gamers

If completing quests or watching commercials to earn extra money doesn’t appeal to you, you might prefer competitive gaming, where you have to risk your money.  

Gamers have the opportunity to earn money playing video games on Playerslounge in a competitive, high-risk, high-reward setting. PlayersLounge’s basic premise is that you choose your game, are matched with a competitor, and the winner receives payment.

Prior to engaging in head-to-head competitions that demand a buy-in, PlayersLounge uses metrics like their PLR (Players’ Lounge Rating) to match players of essentially equal skill against one another. There is a $2.50 minimum buy-in and a $500 maximum challenge amount. Additionally, 10% of each player’s entry fee goes to PlayersLounge.

Another website that lets you compete against players who have been matched with your skill level is Repeat.gg. You play games you already own on your gaming consoles, such as the Xbox, Playstation, or computer; there are no games available on the internet. You link those consoles to Repeat.gg and compete against other players.

PlayersLounge and Repeat.gg are unquestionably the best platforms to use if you want to earn money playing video games competitively. Head-to-head competitions are not, however, a simple way to make money, and this is a risky platform. In a matter of seconds, you could win big or lose big.

Compete in Tournaments

Even though participating in tournaments may not be a reliable source of income unless you are exceptionally talented, it can bring in a lot of money. Sadly, not everyone can make money at tournaments. Even professional gamers have been known to lose early and walk away empty-handed. 

To find game tournaments, you can also use websites like Smash.gg, Battlefy, or Toornament.com. Some games that frequently hold weekly online tournaments include:

  • League of Legends.
  • Starcraft 2.
  • Dota 2.
  • Call of Duty.
  • Overwatch.
  • Counter-Strike.
  • Hearthstone.
  • Magic the Gathering.

Sell Game Accounts or Digital Items

Creating and selling your own characters is an option if you’re not the type of gamer who develops an emotional attachment to them. Although leveling up takes time because you must develop your character’s skills and equipment, you can easily sell off your character once the process is complete. 

Sites like PlayerUp and PlayerAuctions are online platforms that allow you to sell your account to the highest bidder.

Farm in-app or in-game Currency

The in-game currency is becoming a valuable commodity since many players like to level up quickly in the game and would rather pay real money in order to purchase gaming currency than have the opportunity to convert this into real money.

There are a few ways to collect in-game currency in mobile games. The most common way is to simply play the game and complete tasks or challenges, which will earn you in-game currency as a reward. 

Another way is to purchase the in-game currency with real money, either through the app store or directly in the game. 

Some games also offer bonuses or promotions that allow you to earn extra in-game currency, such as daily login rewards or referral bonuses. Finally, some mobile games also allow you to earn in-game currency by watching ads or participating in surveys.

To sell in-game currency, you will need to find a marketplace where you can trade in-game currency. There are many online marketplaces where you can sell in-game currency, some examples include forums, social media groups, and dedicated websites such as PlayerAuctions, PlayerUp, and Gameflip.

Before listing your in-game currency for sale, make sure to research the market to determine the current value of the currency and set a competitive price. 

You should also consider the payment methods accepted by the marketplace and the fees associated with selling the currency. Once you have found a marketplace and determined a price, you can create a listing for your in-game currency and wait for potential buyers to contact you.

Get Paid Playing Games as a Side Hustle

Upload Your Game Guides and Tutorials on YouTube

You probably know about the most popular YouTube gaming channels if you enjoy playing video games. Since starting his YouTube channel in 2010 as a simple video game commentator, PewDiePie has amassed 111 million subscribers. His estimated monthly earnings are $500,000, or $6,000,000 annually.

Creating a YouTube channel is a long-term strategy, and increasing your subscriber base and revenue from advertising can take some time. The majority of your YouTube channel’s revenue will come from sponsorships and advertisements. 

You must have more than 1,000 subscribers and more than 4,000 watch hours over the course of the previous 12 months in order to become a YouTube partner and start monetizing your channel. You must apply after fulfilling these requirements before you can start running ads on your content to earn real money. Sponsorships could become a significant source of income once you begin to gain traction.

Live Streaming Games

A lot of online players broadcast their gameplay for money. The most well-liked platform for players to monetize their streaming is Twitch.

You must be a Twitch Partner to begin making money on the platform and to become a partner, you must meet the following requirements:

  • You must have a Twitch account in good standing.
  • You must regularly stream on Twitch and have a consistent schedule.
  • You must have a strong viewership, with an average of at least 500 concurrent viewers.
  • You must have a high-quality stream, with good audio and video quality.
  • You must have a minimum of 50 followers.
  • You must have streamed on Twitch for at least 25 hours in the last 30 days.
  • You must have streamed on at least 7 unique days in the last 30 days.

There are other streaming services besides Twitch that you can use to monetize your gaming. The following list includes; 

  • HitBox
  • Beam
  • Azubu
  • YouTube Gaming
  • Disco Melee
  • Gosu Gamers

Create and Sell Video Game Inspired Merchandise

Creating and selling game-inspired merchandise is another way of channeling your passion for games and using it to earn extra money. 

You can also create and sell handmade items, artwork, t-shirts, hats, and other items using a print-on-demand service inspired by video games. This allows you to create unique, one-of-a-kind items that are highly sought-after by collectors.

Once you have created your merchandise, you can sell it online through platforms such as Etsy, Amazon, or your own website. You can also sell your merchandise at conventions and events where video game fans are likely to be interested in purchasing your products.

It’s important to remember that creating and selling video game-inspired merchandise can be a competitive side hustle, so it’s important to have unique designs and high-quality products in order to stand out from the competition.

Create Your Own Video Game App

If you’ve always had a great idea for a mobile game app but lack coding or game design experience, you can learn from highly regarded courses offered by Udemy to create the game you’ve always wanted to play.

To sell a mobile game application, there are a few steps you can follow:

Create a high-quality mobile game that is engaging and enjoyable to play. This will require some planning and development work, including designing the game, creating the artwork and graphics, and coding the game.

Once your game is ready, you will need to publish it on a mobile app store, such as the App Store for iOS devices or Google Play for Android devices. For this, you’ll need to register as a developer with the app store, upload your game, and include information about it such as its name, description, and price.

Once your game is live on the app store, you can start promoting it to potential customers. This can include creating a marketing campaign, such as running ads on social media or using influencer marketing to reach a wider audience. You can also use your own website or social media accounts to promote your game and attract new players.

To sell your game, you will need to enable in-app purchases or offer it as a paid download. This will allow users to purchase the game or in-game items directly from the app store, and you will receive a share of the revenue from each sale.

Once your game is available for purchase, you will need to monitor its performance and make any necessary updates or improvements to keep it engaging and attractive to players. This can include adding new features, fixing bugs, and responding to customer feedback.

Overall, selling a mobile game application requires a combination of creative development, publishing and promotion, and ongoing support and maintenance. By following these steps and continuously improving your game, you can increase its chances of success and generate revenue from your mobile game app.

Host a Gaming Podcast

Starting a podcast can be a fun and rewarding way to share your passion for gaming with others and potentially earn some extra money in the process.

You’ll need to build a sizeable audience before you see any revenue, so do your best to consistently upload a show on a regular basis. Choose a topic for your podcast that is specific to gaming and that gamers love to talk about. 

For viewers to tune in, your program must be compelling. The show won’t be successful if it’s dull, superficial, has poor production quality, or is inconsistent. Upload a variety of episodes, including opinion-based roundtable discussions, interviews with prominent players, guides for a particular game, and anything else that would be of interest to gamers. 

Consider incorporating their suggestions into upcoming episodes as you interact with your audience by answering their queries and comments. To draw listeners and grow an audience, advertise your podcast on social media, gaming forums, and other relevant websites.

Start a Blog about Gaming

If you’re a serious gamer and writer, you can start a blog, write walkthroughs for different video games, and post them on your own website. Additionally, you can publish e-books and sell them on Amazon and Killer Guides. Particularly for multiplayer PvP games, there are a lot of people who are willing to pay to find out how to pass a challenging level or get more in-game currency.

Standing out from the crowd is the challenging part. Keeping up with the most recent releases and trends in the gaming sector will enable you to offer your readers timely, relevant content while also showcasing your expertise through your unique perspective. 

There are many ways to establish authority and expand your readership, but the key to starting a successful blog is to stand out from the crowd with original content. You could try to break industry news more quickly, cover the less well-known gaming topics, or even just write in a lighthearted manner to attract readers.

Regardless of the strategy you opt for, you must provide your potential readers with a lot of value and, ideally, adopt a fresh approach to gaming. Therefore, you could start a distinctive blog that attracts gamers from all over the world, whether you want to concentrate on a particular area like retro gaming or MMOs or cover the entire modern gaming scope.

By blogging, you can generate income from affiliate links as well. Every time a reader purchases your recommended product using the affiliate link you provided, you will receive a commission for creating this connection. When you correctly promote the goods and services you enjoy to anyone who visits your website, it can be a passive income generation method for you.

Get Paid Playing Games as a Career

Video Game Journalist

Becoming a video game journalist is an additional way to earn money while enjoying your favorite pastime. To become a video game journalist, you must have a strong understanding of the video game industry.

This can be gained through personal experience playing a wide variety of video games, attending gaming events and conventions, and networking with other people in the industry.

Here are some steps you can follow to become a video game journalist:

Start by developing your writing skills. You will need to be able to write clear, engaging, and informative articles about video games. This can be done by practicing writing on your own, taking writing classes, or joining a writing group.

Build a portfolio of your writing. As a journalist, you will need to be able to show potential employers samples of your work. Start by writing reviews, previews, and other articles about video games and publishing them on your own blog or website.

Apply for internships or entry-level positions at video game media outlets. This will give you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field and make connections in the industry.

Continue to develop your skills and build your portfolio. As you gain experience, you can apply for more advanced positions at larger media outlets. Always be on the lookout for opportunities to write about the latest games and trends in the industry.

Depending on your experience, writing abilities, and portfolio, your earning potential can range from $50,000 to $60,000 per year, according to gamejournalismjobs.com

Game Tester

If you’re interested in becoming a game tester, there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of getting hired. First, make sure you have a passion for playing and understanding video games. Game testers often spend many hours playing the same game over and over, so it’s important to enjoy the process.

You will be required to thoroughly test every aspect of the game while making meticulous notes in order to identify any glitches or bugs. So, those who are methodical, analytical, and like to play games are best suited for this job. This could mean working as a QA tester at a game development studio or even just volunteering to test games for a friend who is a game developer. The more experience you have, the more likely you are to be hired as a game tester.

Becoming an internal tester at a game development company is tougher than you might expect. You’ll have to browse job boards, research companies for open positions, and send in applications. So another important step is to build a strong resume and cover letter. Your resume should highlight any relevant experience you have, such as previous game testing jobs or other QA experience. Your cover letter should explain why you’re interested in the game testing role and why you think you’d be a good fit for the job.

Once you have your resume and cover letter ready, you can apply for game-testing jobs. You can find job listings on online job boards, or on the websites of game development studios, and look into services like PlaytestCloud, BetaFamily, and BetaTesting.

It’s also a good idea to network with people in the gaming industry, as this can help you learn about job opportunities and make connections that can help you get hired.

Finally, be persistent and don’t give up. The game testing industry is competitive, so it may take some time and effort to land a job. Keep applying for jobs and networking, and eventually, you may be able to break into the industry and start your career as a game tester.

Game Developer

Becoming a game developer requires a combination of education, technical skills, and experience. Some steps you can take to become a game developer include:

Getting a degree in game development, computer science, or a related field. This can provide you with the technical knowledge and skills you need to develop games.

Learning how to use game development software, such as Unity or Unreal Engine. These are commonly used tools in the game industry and can help you create high-quality games.

Start working on small projects on your own or with a team. This can help you gain experience and build a portfolio of work to show potential employers.

Joining the game development community and networking with other developers. This can help you learn from others and make connections that can lead to job opportunities.

Consider interning or working at a game development studio to gain hands-on experience in the industry. This can also help you make connections and build your resume.

Overall, becoming a game developer requires a combination of education, technical skills, and experience. By focusing on these areas, you can work towards your goal of becoming a game developer.

The average salary for game developers varies depending on factors such as experience, location, and the type of company they work for. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a game developer in the United States is $71,295 per year. 

However, this number can vary depending on the specific job role and the company. For example, a senior game developer at a large game development studio may earn a higher salary than a junior game developer at a smaller company. 

It’s important to research salaries for specific job roles and companies to get a better idea of what you can expect to earn as a game developer.

Influencer

If you already have a significant number of followers on your YouTube or Twitch account, you can try to copy the strategy of most influencers. 

Many influential and successful gamers have discovered that they can market their products and solicit donations from devoted fans via PayPal, turning their passion for gaming into a career.

As an “influencer,” you can also earn money by selling advertisements or accepting sponsorships from companies. Deals for sponsorship can include promoting one of their products or running advertisements that market goods or services to your YouTube or Twitch account. 

There are numerous platforms that link sponsors with gaming influencers. Examples include Tagger, FameBit, and OpenSponsorship. These platforms can help gaming influencers find sponsorship opportunities and connect with potential sponsors. 

They can also help with managing and negotiating sponsorship agreements. Additionally, a lot of influencer marketing companies provide services that can assist gaming influencers in finding sponsorship opportunities. 

Professional Gamer

If you’re very good at some of the top esports games, like Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, DOTA 2, Valorant, and League of Legends, you might have an opportunity in esports.

Despite the fact that esports offers a variety of other gaming side jobs, including remote work, becoming a full-time professional gamer takes a lot of effort and skill. Esports, like any industry, has a wide range of job opportunities in areas like team management, marketing, tournament planning, and journalism. These opportunities are frequently posted on esports job boards like Hitmarker and ReKTJobs.

If you want to become an esports professional gamer, you will need to have a strong understanding of the game you want to compete in, and you will need to practice extensively to hone your skills. 

Here are some steps you can follow to become a professional gamer:

  • Choose a game that you are passionate about and that you enjoy playing. This will help you stay motivated and focused on becoming a professional gamer.
  • Practice regularly to improve your skills and knowledge of the game. This will help you become a better player and increase your chances of success.
  • Join online communities and forums for the game you are playing to learn from other players and to stay up-to-date with the latest strategies and techniques.
  • Consider joining a gaming team or joining a professional gaming league. This will give you the opportunity to compete against other skilled players and to improve your skills even further.
  • Stream your gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube to build a following and showcase your skills to potential sponsors and teams.

Becoming a professional gamer takes time, and you may face challenges along the way. Keep practicing and working hard, and you will improve over time.

Final Thoughts

Gaming can be a great way to get away from reality and make a little extra money. However, you must carefully consider the path you wish to take if you want to turn it into a potential career. As we’ve covered here, there are a number of excellent avenues for making money while playing games that are well worth investigating.

There has never been a better time to pursue a legitimate career in the gaming sector. You may be able to earn some serious money by doing this, depending on the option you select and how hard you’re willing to work.

However, not everyone is interested in a gaming-related career. If so, there are many ways to make money playing games that enable you to earn a small amount of extra money while using your iPhone or Android device.

Video games can definitely be used to make money, and with a little effort and thought, you might be able to give your old pastime some new life.

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