How to make money playing video games 5 proven ways

Can you really make money playing video games?

To appreciate the profit potential in gaming, consider the size of the video game industry. 

The global video game market was valued at $195.65 billion in 2021, on track to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9% from 2022 to 2030, according to a report by market analysis firm Grand View Research. 

The money you make gaming can vary. To start with a best-case scenario, consider the story of Eric Barone, developer of Stardew Valley.

Barone originally had no intention of pursuing a career in gaming. He only started developing video games to keep his coding sharp so he could impress prospective employers. He became obsessed with perfecting Stardew Valley, often working on it 80 hours a week until his girlfriend dragged him off the computer.

His hard work paid off in game quality. Stardew Valley was an instant hit upon its release in 2016, and by the next year, it had raked in $34 million. Barone soon had to hire staff to help him support millions of players.

Not everyone will achieve Barone’s level of success, but his story illustrates that you can earn a good living in gaming. To take another example, voice actress Elspeth Eastman, known for voicing Tristana in the game League of Legends, gets paid to stream live videos of herself ga

How to make money playing video games?

1. Livestream

If you’re good at gaming or if you have an entertaining personality, you can make money livestreaming yourself playing. 

You might be wondering, Why would anyone want to watch me play, and why would anyone want to pay me to play? There are a number of reasons people like to watch other people play video game.

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

2. Create game guides on video platforms

Making video game guides on platforms such as YouTube is another way you can earn money from gaming. Video game players seek out guides for a number of reasons, including:

To see if a game is interesting

To learn how to play

To get advanced gaming tips

To hear the latest gaming news

To be entertained .

3.Participate in gaming tournaments

Competitive gaming offers a number of ways to make money playing games.

  • If you’re a skilled player, you can enter and compete for cash prizes in esports competitions, which are held in physical arenas, or online video game tournaments.
  • If you’re a good event organizer and marketer, you can host a gaming tournament, recruit sponsors, and charge entry fees to participants and promotional fees to advertisers.
  • There are so many tournaments available for games like Dota 2, Call of Duty, Fortnite, and more. If you’re considering getting involved in gaming tournaments for money, you’ll want to gain some experience with them first. 

4.Mistplay

Do you love mobile games and have an Android phone? Join Mistplay to earn extra money while playing games. Simply find a game you like and start playing it. The longer you play, the more “units” you earn. You can then convert these units into gift cards.

5.Write gaming guides for your website

You can monetize gaming guides in written form as well as video form. One option is selling written guides for a particular game through your website. These can be standalone or you can sell them alongside videos.

What should a written video game guide cover? Topics to consider include:

Tips and tricks for advanced play

Walkthroughs telling players basic details, such as where to go and what to do

Tutorials on game features

Make money online as a content creator

So there are 11 ways you can earn extra cash playing games, whether you want a side hustle or online business. Some of these methods will be more suitable for different people based on varying interests and aptitudes. Many of them can be combined together to multiply your revenue. Use the methods that work best for you. Good luck!