Did you know that you can actually make money from your PS4 playing hobby? Well it might sound nearly impossible, but it is very possible. You can make money playing your PS4 game and we are going to show you how.

Even though this methods might not get you rich instantly, if you continue to work at them, you can get enough to take good care of yourself and some extra to spare.

• How can you Make Money Playing Video Games?
• How can you Earn Money With Your PS4?
• Which Websites Will Pay you to Play Games?
• How can I Sell my PS4?
• 5 Way you can Save Money on Your PS4
• How Can I Make Money With PlayStation?
• How do I Become a Paid Gamer?
• Which Gaming App is Best For Earning Money?
• How to Make Money Playing Video Games at Home
• How to Make Money Playing Video Games on Your Phone
• Get Paid Directly to Play
• How to Make Money Playing Games on YouTube
• Can Gaming be a Career?
• How Many Followers do You Need on Twitch to Start Making Money?
• Who is The Richest Gamer?
• How Much Money do Gamers Make a Month?
• How do Free Games Make Money?
• Can a Gamer Earn Money?
• How do I Get a Job in Gaming?
• What Games Can Earn Money?
• Get Paid to Play Video Games With Guys
• Get Paid to Play Video Games at Home for Free
• How to Make Money Gaming as a Kid
• How to Get Money on PS4 for Free

How can you Make Money Playing Video Games?

Gaming is an extremely fun past-time, and turning it into a full-time income is many people’s ultimate dream. Luckily for you, it’s not only possible — video games can earn you more than a traditional job.

Read Also: You Can Make Money Online By Playing Games

Some people are making six, seven, and even eight figures through p2e gaming, thus turning it into a living. Here are some ideas to help you make money.
 

1. Become a Video Game Tester

This is pretty much the O.G. way to make money playing video games. Game developers will pay game testers to try out their games in a real player environment. They are paid to spot bugs and make suggestions on how to improve the game.

And get this: The national average pay for video game testers in the US is $67,813 per year!

Considering the average salary across all industries is only $44,564, game testers can make a good bit more than the average job.

However, keep in mind that just because you’re getting paid to play video games doesn’t mean the job is just like your average gaming session on the couch. It’s still a lot of hard work.

For example, game testers have to do matrix testing. Let’s say you’re testing a fighting game like Mortal Combat — a matrix test means you play all 20 characters versus all 20 characters 1-on-1, one match at a time, to determine how each character matches up. That’s over 8,000 matches!

You’ll also have to test every nook and cranny of the game, trying to find every glitch and bug, taking meticulous notes along the way.

This job is best for those who are very analytical and methodical. If that doesn’t describe you, this might not be the job for you. But this isn’t the only way to get paid to play!

Think it’s for you? Search job boards like Indeed for some open positions.

2. Start a YouTube Channel

Another way to earn money to play your favorite games is by starting a YouTube channel (or a blog or podcast, but we’ll focus on YouTube as it’s the most visual platform).

YouTube is one of, if not the biggest potential earner on this list. PewDiePie (shown below) was the sixth highest-paid YouTuber in 2017, earning a whopping $12 million — and he started with basic video game commentary.

Some things you can do on your YouTube channel to gain a following are:

• Use entertaining commentary and add effects to make your videos more interesting and engaging, as Nightblue3 does.
• Record popular games such as Gary’s Mod or Fortnite with your friends and other YouTubers, as VanossGaming does.
• Teach people how to play the game better with guides, tutorials, and commentary explaining why you make certain decisions in the game, as Metaphor does.
• Review new games and help people decide if a game is worth buying or not, as Joseph Anderson does.
• Live stream games and record “Let’s Play” style videos where you show off a game or play through the story, as LetsPlay does.
• Record playthroughs of a game (new or old) where you comment on the story and read the text out loud or do speed runs or restricted runs of the game, as TetraNinja does.

There are other ways as well; these are just the main ones that many YouTubers have used to make money with their videos and grow their following.

The majority of your money will come from ads and sponsorships on YouTube. To get ads, you need to become a YouTube partner, which requires the following:

• Have more than 4,000 public watch hours in the last 12 months.
• Have more than 1,000 subscribers.

Once you meet those requirements, you can apply. If you’re approved, you can start displaying ads on your videos and making some money! But the big money comes from sponsorships from game developers and companies who sell game merch, such as gaming chairs.

You can worry about getting sponsored once you have developed a more serious following, though. So get get to work.

3. Compete in Tournaments

While not a consistent source of money (unless you’re extremely talented), winning game tournaments for competitive games like Call of Duty, League of Legends, Fortnite, etc. can net you some serious cash.

One of the world’s top e-sports competitive, Timothy Miller (aka “Bizzle”), earns around $322k per year participating in Fortnite tournaments.

This is probably the easiest way to make money playing video games, but also not a big earner unless you’re really good at the game and consistently win.

4. Work as a Video Game Journalist

Another avenue is through journalism. Most video game journalists earn around $26,000 per year, making it one of the lowest-income opportunities on this list. But if you love games and you love writing and reporting, this is a great opportunity and you can earn much more as your skill increases!

To get started as a journalist, you’ll most likely need at least a bachelor’s degree in journalism and some journalistic experience (like the school paper and/or an internship). Speaking of internships, an unpaid internship is a great way to get your foot in the door as a game journalist!

5. Stream on Twitch

Twitch is a streaming platform where viewers can watch others play their favorite games.

Popular Twitch streamer Ninja made ~$10 million in 2018 from ads, sponsorships, and Twitch subscribers. And he’s not alone — combined, the top 10 Twitch streamers made over $20 million in 2017.

Of course, that’s not typical. The average Twitch streamer earns closer to $10,000 to $40,000 per year. Still a decent revenue stream!

To get started making money on Twitch, you must become a Twitch Partner. To do that, you need to have:

• At least 500 total minutes broadcast in the last 30 days.
• At least 7 unique broadcast days in the last 30 days.
• An average of 3 concurrent viewers or more over the last 30 days.
• At least 50 Followers.

Once you become a partner, you can start earning money from subscribers and displaying ads on your channel. Of course, you can also get sponsorships from gaming companies just like you can on YouTube!

6. Become a Game Developer

Another way to earn as a gamer is to actually develop the games yourself. Game developers at major companies like Ubisoft or EA earn an average salary of $83,000. However, jobs for major game companies are notoriously stressful and tend to force you to work long hours and holidays.

Alternatively, you can become a solo game developer and make money through game sales and in-game purchases. For example, Minecraft was developed solely by Markus Persson under his company Mojang. Mojang sold to Microsoft for a whopping $2.5 billion.

Another solo example is game developer Finn Brice, founder of Chucklefish and creator of hit game Stardew Valley, which earned ~$24 million in 2016 (more than Call of Duty).

Both of these developers were self-taught and created the games out of a passion for game development and video games in general.

7. Create & Sell Video-Game-Inspired Merchandise

Possibly one of the coolest ways to get paid to play is by creating and selling your own game-inspired merchandise. Just go on Etsy and type “Legend of Zelda” — you get over 16,000 results of t-shirts, figurines, coffee mugs, and more.

If you take this route, it means you’re creating a business. The sky is the limit on how much you can make, but getting to ~$50,000 per year is possible with the right product and good marketing skills.

To get started on this, you’ll either need to dropship goods from places like AliExpress, manufacture the products yourself, or find a supplier to work with to create the products for you.

8. Video Game Coaching

One of the coolest ways to make money playing video games is by offering to coach on your favorite competitive game (such as League of Legends).

Video game coaches make anywhere from $20 to $200 per hour, depending on how good they are and how in-demand their services are. For example, Metaphor (a League of Legends coach mentioned in the YouTube section) offers coaching services for $50 to $80 per hour.

Getting started as a coach typically means gaining an audience through a platform like YouTube and offering your services to your audience.

9. Work in Customer Service for a Game Company

Like every other industry, gamers also need customer support. Becoming a customer service rep for a game company is a great way to get paid in the video game industry. The average customer service representative makes $13.64 per hour, with some making up to $20 per hour.

Some companies, like Blizzard, even have in-game admins who play the game a deliver support via the in-game chat function.

Landing this job is more about your customer service skills than your gaming skills. You have to be good with people and have excellent communication skills. Getting an internship is one of the best ways to get started on this career path.

10. Get Signed on an eSports Team

Esports players earn an average of $1,000 to $5,000 per month — or about $60,000 per year. It’s grown massively since its inception in the late ’90s (shown below) and it’s not stopping any time soon.

Top games paying players include Dota 2, Counter-Strike, League of Legends, Starcraft II, and Fortnite (among others).

The best way to become a pro player is to focus on a single game, get extremely good, and use other platforms to show off your skills (like Twitch and YouTube). In fact, most players are found and signed on thanks to these platforms.

However, you don’t have to be a player to make money in eSports. There are multiple other career paths, such as:

• Hosting esports events
• Coaching other online players
• Streaming and commentating on esports matches
• Acting as a referee
• Sales and marketing specialist
• Social media manager for a team or game producer
• Etc.

How can you Earn Money With Your PS4?

Playing games and making money in the process is the dream of most gamers. While this is very possible, do not expect to quit your high paying job and start earning big amounts from playing games. However, below are some easy ways you can make money from your PS4.

1. Sell Your PS4 and XBOX Video Games

Although this way is painfully obvious, it is still worth mentioning. Probably the easiest way to make money off of your PS4 and Xbox games is to sell them. Whether you want to do this at a video game store or do it online, you should be able to make some extra cash selling them.

2. Monetize Your PS4 and XBOX Video Games on Youtube

As many of you know, YouTube allows you to make money making video game videos. However, they have certain guidelines that you must follow to do so. If you do plan to do this, just know that you are probably not going to make a living doing it. However, just like the first way it is a great way to get extra spending money.

3. Become a Game Tester

Yes, people do get paid to test video games for companies. This sounds like the greatest job on the planet, but there are some things to be cautious of. Some gaming websites on the internet have pointed out how video game testers don’t get paid that much, and that they have to test video game genres that they don’t like.

4. Make PS4 and XBOX Game Walkthroughs

This way is much like what you can do on YouTube, and there are some websites, like Killer Guides, that will allow you to write an eBook and sell it. This is not a quick job, either, and some 100-page guides only sell for around $30.

5. Learn how to Develop Games

This way is the most time consuming, but you can make good money as a video game developer. Of course, you are going to need a lot of time and practice to do this. If you have the patience, though, this could be the best possible way to make money from video games.

Which Websites Will Pay you to Play Games?

While you can only earn virtual money or credits with many online games, there are some websites that you can play for real cash. If you’re not interested in becoming a professional gamer but want to earn some easy cash each month playing games, consider using these sites.

1. Lucktastic

Lucktastic is an app that allows you to play scratch-off lottery tickets virtually. It’s completely free to join, and you can win gift cards, tokens to play more games or cash. Cash prizes can range from $2 to $1,500, but just like with physical lottery tickets, there’s no guarantee you’ll win.

If you do, those winnings are reflected in your account balance under the Wallet tab. Once you have at least $5 in your account, you can get a physical check. If you have less than $5 and want your winnings, you’ll have to use Dwolla to get paid.

2. Mistplay

Mistplay is an app available for Android devices through the Google Play Store (there is a waitlist for iOS users). When you play, you can earn rewards that you redeem for gift cards to Amazon and iTunes and video-game outlets such as Nintendo and Xbox.

If you’re able to play games on your phone, it can be a good way to earn extra money. It may take a while to accrue the points you need to redeem the reward you want. Point values may vary depending on the retailer.

So the number of points needed to redeem a $20 gift card with one retailer may be less than the number of points required to redeem the same reward with a different retailer.

3. World Winner

Through World Winner, a web and app-based gaming platform, you can enter various gaming tournaments and win cash. You’ll make a deposit, pick a tournament, play, and wait for the results to withdraw your earnings. Gaming tournaments available include Spades, Super Plinko, and Angry Birds.

The minimum entry fee is $0.25, and the site lets you practice for free before you commit to a tournament. You can only use PayPal or a credit or debit card to pay your fees. When you cash out your winnings, they’re credited onto the same card. World Winner also offers a $10 Bonus Bucks credit when you enter the promo code WELCOME and make your first deposit.

4. HQ Trivia

Although it’s had some difficulty in the last few years, HQ Trivia relaunched in March 2020 for iOS users who enjoy trivia to play real money earning games.

To use it, you’ll need to download the app onto your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple device and create an account. Every day, you can log in at a specific time, usually around 9:00 p.m. EST, to participate in live multiplayer trivia and word game tournaments. Each night’s winner earns a cash prize. 

There’s no entry fee to participate, but how much you can win varies with every tournament. You’ll need to connect a PayPal account to deposit your winnings. 

5. Second Life

Second Life is a popular online virtual world simulator that allows users to create avatars who interact with other people, places, and things like they would in real life.

It offers its own currency called the Linden Dollar that can convert to actual money. Users can make money on Second Life by doing “hunts” or contests, selling objects or content to other users, or finding employment. You’ll get paid through PayPal or Skrill.

6. GamerSaloon

With GamerSaloon, available as an app or website, you can find various types of online gaming tournaments including everything from Halo to Call of Duty to NBA2K20 and Madden NFL 20. You play individually or in teams, and you can join existing tournaments or create your own.

To get started, you’ll need to create a user account and make an initial deposit. This is the money you’ll use as your entrance fee for tournaments. Then you can search for ones to join. On each tournament listing, you’ll find the entrance fee, what gaming system you need, and the start date. 

All tournaments have a cash prize, and you can collect your winnings through PayPal or a physical check.

How can I Sell my PS4?

Whether you’re moving on to a more powerful piece of hardware, of if you just want to clear out some space because you don’t use your PS4 console as much as you used to, then read on for our top tips on how to get the most for your console. 

General do’s and don’ts when trying to sell your PS4

Depending on the state of your console and which service you want to use, there is a big difference in how much money you’ll be able to get for your console. 

A key factor is whether the console is still 100% functional. Issues such as broken Wi-Fi, scratches on its exterior and faulty disc drives can have an impact on the price you’ll be able to get. 

But the important thing to realise is that no matter what state your console is in, it will still be useful to someone. Even a PS4 that cannot turn on at all can still be recycled, and there are companies out there that are willing to pay to do so in order to sell on the raw materials that they recover. 

So before you decide how to sell your PS4, plug it in one last time to check that it’s working. Try putting in a game disc and booting it up, and examine the exterior for scratches or markings. 

You should also take this opportunity to jump into ‘System Storage Management’ in the settings menu and make a note of the total capacity of your hard drive. Make a note of this for later. 

If you do find a fault with the console then don’t panic. You might not get as much money, but so long as you disclose anything that’s not working then you shouldn’t encounter any issues. 

Because of the high cost of repair services it’s generally not cost efficient to pay for a PS4 to be repaired before you sell it on. You’ll spend more repairing it then its price will appreciate by as a result. 

Wiping your data

While you’ve got the console plugged in, it’s worth wiping it of all your personal data. 

First, go to the settings menu and scroll down to ‘PlayStation Network/Account Management’. Select ‘Activate as Your Primary PS4’ and then select ‘Deactivate’ from the next screen. 

There might be a small chance that the ‘Deactivate’ option is already grayed out, but HowToGeek reports that this can sometimes happen in error. If this is the case, select ‘Activate’, confirm this choice, and then go into the menu again to select ‘Deactivate’. 

Next, after a quick restart you’ll need to go into the settings menu again, but this time select ‘Initialization’. In this next menu, select ‘Initialize PS4’ and then select the ‘Full’ option. The process that follows will take a couple of hours, but once it’s done you can be sure no one’s going to be able to recover your personal information from the console. 

Once your console is all ready to go, take some time to try and find its original packaging and accessories if you still have them since this might allow you to get more money. 

Know what you’re selling

Throughout the course of the PS4’s lifetime there have been a few different versions of the console released. It’s important to know which one you’re selling since this will affect the amount of money you’re able to get, and you also might experience problems if your label your console inappropriately. 

There have been four main types of PS4 released. The original console’s outer plastic shell had a half glossy and half matt finish, but then the second model removed the glossy finish to make the console 100% matt black plastic. 

The third and fourth versions of the console were the PS4 Slim (which has a thinner body and no Optical Audio port) and the PS4 Pro (which has the appearance of a PS4 with another shelf of plastic added to it). 

You’ll also need to know the capacity of the console’s hard drive, which you should have noted down earlier. The PS4 was sold in 500GB or 1TB versions. Your hard drive capacity won’t exactly match either of these figures, but it should be close enough for you to work out which model it is. 

Where to sell your PS4

The direct approach: eBay, Gumtree or Craigslist

Selling your console directly is the most effort out of all the options, but you’re likely to get the most amount of money. 

Your main options here are eBay and Craigslist, but Gumtree is also an excellent option if you’re in the UK. eBay offers a more streamlined service for selling with the option of selling your PS4 in an auction, but the downside is that you’ll have to pay a fee based on the amount of money you get for your sale. 

If you’re using this option then be sure to include any relevant keywords in your listing’s headline. You want your console to appear in all relevant searches, so make sure you include key terms such as both ‘PS4’ and ‘PlayStation 4’ so that it will be shown no matter what people search for. 

Be sure to use the best quality camera available to take photos of your console to make your listing appear as appealing as possible. 

When writing your description be sure to include as much information as possible, including noting any defects the console suffers from. This might harm its price, but if you’re upfront about any issues then you won’t risk getting negative feedback from angry customers. 

On eBay you can either list your PS4 as an auction or else give it a ‘Buy it Now’ price, which gives it a set price that people can choose to pay. 

If you’d prefer the latter option but don’t know what price to charge, then use eBay to view recently sold listings using the ‘advanced search’ option on the site. 

This information is also useful if you’re planning on selling your console through Craigslist or Gumtree, which both lack auction options. 

Use a trade-in service

If selling your console directly sounds like a lot of effort then you can always use a trade-in service. 

You won’t get as much money as if you sell directly, but these services are quicker and easier. The process is all automated, and you get a set price for your item, depending on its condition. 

In the US, Amazon offers a trade-in service along with GameStop and Cash for Gamers, and in the UK CeX and Music Magpie are the biggest players. Be sure to check what price each different service offers before committing to selling so you can be sure you get the best possible deal.   

If you’re using these services, be sure to describe the condition of your PS4 accurately. We know it can be tempting to understate the amount of wear and tear that’s visible, but these companies test the condition of each of the items and if you’re found to be lying then it can complicate and delay your payment.

Even if it’s broken, remember to recycle

If you’ve found an old PS4 gathering dust and you’ve found that it doesn’t work at all then you might still be able to get some money for it. 

In the UK, Music Magpie will still pay money for a console that doesn’t work as it can recycle it and sell on the raw materials, and there are plenty of local services in the US that will also recycle old electronics. 

You could also try listing your defecting console on eBay using the ‘for parts or not working’ description. So long as you’re upfront about its condition there are plenty of people willing to buy a console cheaply so that they can harvest it for parts, or maybe try and get it working for themselves. 

Shop around to see who’s willing to pay the most for your old PS4. Even if you’re unable to find someone willing to pay, then be sure to recycle all the same for the sake of the environment. 

5 Way you can Save Money on Your PS4

If you are planning on get yourself a PS4 but you don’t have enough money to do that, there are some simple ways for you yo save money on your PS4 purchase. Some of them are mentioned below.

Online stores, Deals & Holidays

When talking about the discounts, you can go for a Zavvi Referral Code, to grab a powerful console or games within your budget and let the game on. Addition to that Voucher Arena will provide coupons and deals for related gaming accessories which is available for 24X7.

Besides this, there are many holidays where games usually go for cheaper than normal. These coupons, vouchers are provided for every day so doesn’t wait for the holiday or for some events.

However, several retailers mainly announce special offers and cash back on consoles and games during this period. Keep your eyes open to grab this opportunity of saving money.

Wait before buying a new game

There are sufficient numbers of copies and everyone will get it. Every time when a new game is released its prices is kissing the sky, only because of its fame.

Many of you know this will happen and also it is not affordable for almost everyone. In this case, instead of making a rush, try to wait as much as possible. This is a long process but speaking honestly it works. Once its fame period is over then it will come to its actual price.

And this is the correct time to grab it and make your money worth. At this point, many stores will definitely offer free stuff or related gaming accessories with it. So all your waiting will feel you proud when you got such things within your budget.

Look at all possible shops

Here you can take a long walk towards the local shops as well as can scroll down for related online shops. This task is most cost-effective. Because when you look around at a few shops you’ll get the idea about consoles current price, any offers available or not, any item is free with it.

If you are looking to buy a console in a local shop then you have to bargain for its price and have to ask for some complimentary gifts. The situation is totally opposite in case of online shops, How?

While looking for online shops, there are discount codes, coupons, vouchers, offers, and deals are available to cut your cost and if you are in luck then you will get the complimentary gift with it without asking.

Sell old ones or exchange

Many people want to showcase their collection and many of you are tired of playing these old ones. But never think about selling it. Listen, if you are frustrated while playing and dealing with the old characters then free them. There are many online shops that deal with second-hand games and ready to give you the best price.

Otherwise, you can exchange the old games with your friends, this way you can taste your friend’s collection as well as in the future sometime you felt kind of getting bored then you can again switch to your old collection.

Rent games

If you don’t want to regret after buying a new console or game because it doesn’t meet your expectations then take a test drive of it by taking a game on a rent. This tip will help you to understand everything there in the game and your money won’t be wasted.

Remember back in the old days, when there are only a few shops which give consoles and video games on rent. On weekends, you go to that store with your friend bring the game to home, play the games and try to finish it in time before giving it back to the store.

If there is late to return, there can be a penalty fee as fine. Either you can ask them to rent the game for longer and accordingly pay more money. If you are paying regularly they are satisfied and ready to give you an extension.

Now also you can take console or games on rent and return it back whenever you want with no late fees. And if you decide you’d like to keep a game, you can get it at a discounted rate.

Bundles

Most of the people don’t know the concept of bundles. Basically, a bundle is nothing but a package in which you can get popular gaming DVDs tied with one of the latest gaming console or maybe even more. There is a number of bundles available with different combinations, so it’s totally your choice that which bundle you want to buy.

You can get the bundles around 365 days. But before purchasing any bundle make sure that the bundle is making worth of your money because half of them are actually good and remaining is comparatively useless.

Make your own savings

When you want a high priced game then you have to make some saving by yourself. As a matter of fact, try to save today, and tomorrow you will get the benefit of it. Under this, you can do many things but can start by selling old CDs, DVDs or games, Consoles, etc.

Not a huge amount but, it will help to make some cash and this process is relatively easy, fast and cheap. Well, the results might surprise you because it doesn’t take much effort to sell. Just wrap your things and send them to respective online shops.

Whenever you are able to purchase a console or games, remember one thing you will get unlimited entertainment for the coming years as a return gift.

How Can I Make Money With PlayStation?

Sony has quietly introduced a new rewards scheme that enables you to make money from unlocking PlayStation Trophies. Barring some astonishing improvements in life expectancy, you won’t ever get rich from it but you can earn points by unlocking Trophies and in turn trade these in for PSN credit to buy games.

The Rewards Passes page on the Sony Rewards site shows that 100 Silver Trophies earn you 100 points, 25 Gold Trophies equates to 250 points and ten Platinum Trophies unlock 1,000 points. Once you’ve amassed 1,000 points, you can then claim a $10 (approx £8) voucher.

In order to start earning credit, you need to sign up for Sony Rewards and link it to your PlayStation account but unfortunately, the programme is currently only available in the US.

We can only hope it’ll eventually make its way to the UK, but if it doesn’t, you shouldn’t lose sleep over the 1p you might have earned for scoring a goal with the outside of your boot in FIFA 18 or saving five teammates in Call of Duty WWII by throwing away an enemy grenade.

That said, the new scheme shouldn’t be completely dismissed. Kotaku worked out that all the trophies earned by PlayStation’s most dedicated trophy hunter, Roughdaw4, would be worth $1583 (~£1200), or 25 full-price game downloads.

In response to the new reward system, Xbox Boss Phil Spencer wrote on Twitter “Sounds like a cool feature, I’m going to give it a try. Competition is a good thing, keeps us all working hard.”

Microsoft already has its own Xbox Live Rewards program, which lets you earn credit for your Microsoft account by completing ongoing ‘missions’ or by getting a percentage back on your digital purchases with MyVIP Star Rank.

If Playstation’s new rewards scheme is a success, fingers crossed we might one day see the option to earn credits by unlocking Xbox Live Achievements, too.

How do I Become a Paid Gamer?

Did you know that professional gamers can earn thousands of dollars each month just from playing video games? If you love competitive gaming, and you think you’ve got what it takes, you could become a pro gamer yourself.

With that being said, knowing how to become a professional gamer and get paid isn’t as easy as it sounds on paper. You have to be strategic, and willing to sacrifice both time and money, in order to reach your biggest goals.

Think you’ve got the skills to go pro? Don’t mind making the sacrifices? Now all you need is the strategy guide to follow

Find Your Best Game

If you’re looking to become a professional gamer, the first thing that you need to do is figure out which game you’re best at playing.

Often times, the game that you’re best at playing just so happens to be your favorite game or the game that you play the most. But if it’s not, go ahead and accept that, in order to make it, you need to invest all your energy into that one game.

If that means spending less time playing new games, or games that you love, and only playing the game that you’re trying to go pro in, that’s what you’ll have to do. Because let’s be honest, it’s already going to be difficult to go pro as is. The last thing that you need to do be doing is splitting your time between multiple games.

Practice Every Single Day

Once you’ve found the game that you’re best at or the game you think you have the best chance of going pro playing, it’s time to start practicing. To make it to where you want to be, you’re going to need to invest thousands of hours into whatever game you’re deciding to pursue.

The best way to get good at a game, and fast, is to practice every single day. It might sound simple, but setting up a practice schedule that you follow every day is more than a good idea. That way you can start treating gaming as a job, and thus, create the habits that you need to have in place to be successful.

Of course, all of this time that you’re spending has to come from somewhere. That means that you’re most likely going to have to make sacrifices in other areas of your life, like hanging out with friends, to get in enough practice time.

So, if that doesn’t sound like it’s worth it, perhaps being a professional gamer isn’t the career for you.

Study Better Players for Tips

The greatest athletes in the world are always watching tape so they can learn and get better at their craft. As a professional gamer, you need to take that same approach to your gaming and get in some hours in the film room, too.

If you don’t know who the best players in the world are for your specific game, a quick Google search should lead you in the right direction. Once you find them, watch their gameplay videos and see what they do, and how they’re so good, so you can find things that you can take from their game and apply to yours.

A few tips? Watch how players handle basic aspects of a game, like traversing a map or handling themselves in combat. Study the finer details of their game and see if you can find some pointers that you can use to make yourself better.

Invest in the Right Gear

No matter what game you’re choosing to go pro in, odds are most people are playing it on a PC. That means that, if you don’t have a top-notch gaming PC already, you need to invest in one so you can have all of the tools that you need to succeed.

We’ll be honest, this is often easier said than done, as elite gaming PCs can cost thousands of dollars. That’s a lot of cash, but again,  money that you have to spend if you want to make it as a professional gamer.

Do a lot of traveling? Make sure that you have a mobile setup so you can practice gaming on the go. That way you won’t have any excuses as to why you can’t get in your practice hours each day.

Find Tournaments to Sign up for

After you’ve gotten some practice time in, and you feel like you’re ready to compete, try to find some tournaments to sign up for. Finding tournaments online for your specific game shouldn’t be too hard, as odds are, the game that you’ve chosen to pursue is popular and has a strong competitive scene.

With that in mind, in order to get ready for the big leagues, you need to find some gaming tournaments to sign up for that that you can play in person, as that is what big-time gaming tournaments are like.

If you go to a tournament and don’t do well, don’t sweat it. Above all else, you need to participate in them to get comfortable playing in that kind of environment. After all, it’s much different playing a game in front of people as opposed to alone at your desk with nobody watching you.

Network With Other Gamers

To get as good as you need to be, and fast, you’re going to have to play with other gamers who are also good. The best way to do this? Network with other talented players who are also trying to be or already are professional gamers.

The good news? The internet exists, which means no matter where you live, you can find like-minded individuals to practice with. And when you go to tournaments in-person, you should meet and befriend gamers, too, which means more people to practice with.

If you’re someone who is not social or is a bit shy, try to break out of your comfort zone and reach out to other gamers yourself. That way you can make those connections and not only get better at gaming but also make new friends.

Create Multiple Revenue Streams

Becoming a professional gamer is a lot like trying to be an entertainer or a musician. You’re going to need to find ways to make money so you can support yourself why you chase after your main goal, which in this case, is being a professional gamer.

With gaming, there are tons of gaming-related things that you can do to make money. You can stream on a site like Twitch, make content on YouTube, or sell merchandise to other gamers.

Our advice? Try to create as many revenue streams as you can, as the more that you have, the easier it is to make money and support yourself with your gaming career. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to brands for things like sponsorships, as a few sponsorships could give you the freedom that you need to quit your day job and pursue gaming full-time.

Market Yourself Online

It goes without saying, but to make those other revenue streams work, you need to have a strong presence online. And if you want to have that kind of online presence, you need to know how to market yourself to the masses.

Again, this can be tricky, as it has nothing to do with gaming, and thus, might not be your strong suit. But it is apart of the process that you need to master, as it can be the thing that helps you reach your biggest goals.

Do tons of research on things like social media marketing, and figure out a brand and an identity for yourself now if you haven’t already. That way, once you start winning tournaments, you have something to promote.

Which Gaming App is Best For Earning Money?

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is perhaps the web’s #1 venue for taking surveys, watching videos, and playing games for cash online. The platform is well-built, well-reviewed, and available for Android, iOS, and through your Internet browser. 

Upon arriving at Swagbucks’ games hub, you’ll notice that some games offer cash and some offer cash back. It’s worth clarifying that if you play popular games like Trivial Pursuit and Bejeweled 2 through Swagbucks you won’t get paid, but SB will offer you a small rebate for cash you spend inside the games.  

In the second category, Swagbucks will actually pay you in cash or gift cards to play certain games. Some are recognizable, like Forge of Empires and Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire. Since you’re effectively playtesting these games for developers, Swagbucks will pay you the equivalent of ~$2 per hour in points, which can be redeemed once you earn around $5 for a gift card or PayPal transfer. 

Swagbucks’ competitive advantage is the variety of non-game activities. As you accumulate points towards your next payout threshold, you can take a break from games and watch videos, take surveys, and more.

2. Mistplay

Mistplay pays you to play new Android games and provide developers with feedback based upon your experience. Each 2- to 10-minute gaming session can reward the cash equivalent of $0.66, and you can begin cashing out your points as early as $5. Mistplay will then email you your gift card within 48 hours. 

Mistplay pays out a little above average, and I admire the platform for being both developer- and user-friendly. First, to benefit developers who test their games through Mistplay, the app accelerates cash earnings the longer you test a game, so you’re incentivized to play longer and provide better feedback to its creators.

Second, Mistplay offers users a feature called the “Mix” whereby it’ll generate a playlist of gaming experiences based upon your genre preferences (puzzle, platforming, action, etc.). 

In total, Mistplay is a great place for gamers to test new games and help out developers while earning a trickle of cash for their efforts. As far as games-for-cash sites go, Mistplay seems among the most wholesome and well-intentioned. 

3. Long Game

Long Game is best described as a gamified savings account. When you make a deposit into your Long Game account, whether automatic or manual, Long Game will reward you with coins that you can use to play games for cash rewards.

Founded by a California-based Millennial looking to inspire young people to save, Long Game offers a free 30-day trial and stays free as long as you use Direct Deposit. What’s also nice is that all of your money is FDIC-insured. 

The industry average APY these days is around 1.0% and Long Game’s is 0.1%. That extra 0.9% interest is effectively what funds Long Game’s jackpots. All of the bank’s games are chance-based, so you’re essentially exchanging your 0.9% interest for a chance to win daily payouts ranging from $100 to $1,000,000. 

For young savers, 0.9% APY is a pretty small amount to “gamble,” so if the lure of getting more coins to play games incentivizes you to save more in the long run, Long Game might be a good fit. Plus, if you make $1,000 in the Long Game slots one day, you could make up that 0.9% APY gap and then some!

4. InboxDollars

InboxDollars, like Swagbucks, is a popular destination for making a trickle of cash online. The site offers surveys, videos, and of course, games as ways to earn a few cents to a few bucks per hour. 

Available as a site and Android app (the iOS app is for surveys only), InboxDollars makes up for below-average payout amounts with a sheer variety of games to play. Their extensive library includes classics like solitaire, mahjong, and sudoku, but also new mobile games in need of testing. 

If you’re already addicted to simple browser and mobile games like the ones listed above, InboxDollars might be a no-brainer. After all, an hour or two a day could pay for your HBO and Netflix subscriptions. 

Plus, if you tire of games, you can also switch over to videos or survey-taking as ways to accumulate InboxDollars on your way to their $30 minimum threshold. It’ll take a while, but at least you’ll have plenty of ways to get there. 

How to Make Money Playing Video Games at Home

Here are several potential ways you can start earning money by playing video games.

1. Get Paid to Live Stream

Anyone can stream their gameplay in real-time for the world to see. Aim to build a large audience (which you can monetize with ads) or a loyal audience (to monetize with donations and subscriptions). The biggest platform for streaming is Twitch, but YouTube is also an option.

Fortunately, the barrier to entry for streaming is relatively low. All you need is a decent computer, some games that viewers want to watch, a fun personality, and streaming software. Make sure your internet upload speed is fast enough to handle the stream, in addition to whatever game you’re playing.

2. Try Your Hand at Games Journalism

Fancy yourself a writer? Either join an existing site or launch your own and start writing news, reviews, and interviews for a specific game, genre, or industry. If writing for an existing site, you can get paid on a per-article basis as a freelancer. If starting your own site, you can monetize your traffic with ads, Patreon subscriptions, or similar.

Look for open positions at intermediate-sized gaming sites. Forget major gaming sites like IGN for now, and ignore startups that have no readership. Make sure you have some writing samples on hand. Send in your application (with writing samples included) and hope for the best. If you don’t have any samples, consider volunteer writing for smaller sites first.

We don’t recommend launching your own games journalism site until you have several years of experience writing for an established site. Writing day in and day out is hard enough. Managing a site on top of that? That’s a whole new level of effort that can easily lead to burnout.

3. Create Video Game Guides and Tutorials

Newbies love reading guides, especially for multiplayer player-versus-player (PvP) games. You can take several routes, such as creating a website for written guides, uploading video guides to YouTube, or publishing guides as ebooks. The first two are often monetized with ads and/or donations, whereas the ebook route earns revenue through sales.

Find a popular game, figure out what players are having trouble with, learn the ins and outs of that problem, then teach others how to overcome it themselves.

In massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), aim for gold guides, leveling guides, and raid guides. For PvP games like Overwatch or Valorant, go for build guides and mechanics guides. And for single-player games, you’ll probably have the most success with focused guides on topics like earning a certain Achievement/Trophy.

4. Host a Gaming Podcast or YouTube Channel

Have a lot to say? Try creating a daily, weekly, or monthly show related to gaming. It could be an opinion-based roundtable discussion, a series of interviews with high-profile players, tips and tricks for a specific game, or anything else that’s interesting.

Podcasts and YouTube videos can be monetized with ads and sponsorships, but this format can also be supported through Patreon subscriptions.

You’ll need to build a sizeable audience before you see any revenue. Your show must be compelling enough for people to tune in. If it’s boring, shallow, has poor production quality, or is inconsistent, the show won’t succeed.

5. Win Gaming Tournaments and Acquire Sponsorships

Tournaments are commonplace for PvP games. Of course, the more popular the game, the larger the prize pools become. If you’re skilled enough to join an eSports organization, you may be able to earn a livable salary through winnings and sponsorships. Most competitive gamers also take advantage of live streams (#1) for additional income.

Find a popular PvP game with lots of tournaments and heavy interest from eSports organizations. Practice, practice, and practice some more. As you get better, network with other professional gamers to get your name out in the open.

Being completely realistic, you’ll likely have better luck (and earn more money) pursuing a career as a non-competitive streamer. That way, people will still enjoy watching you even if you’re not the absolute best.

6. Get Paid to Test Games

Games go through various phases of development before they’re released. Near the time of completion, developers need outsiders to playtest their games with fresh eyes. As a playtester, your job is to check over everything the developer wants you to look at, which includes finding and documenting bugs and other issues.

For on-demand playtesting, look into services like PlaytestCloud, BetaFamily, and BetaTesting. Becoming an internal tester at a company is tougher. You’ll have to browse job boards, research companies for open positions, send in applications, and hope for the best.

How to Make Money Playing Video Games on Your Phone

1. Game Tester

The most basic difference between a Quality Assurance tester and a ‘Game Tester’ or ‘Beta Tester’ is that QA deals with a product that’s already met a certain level of quality as desired by the developers. Being a ‘Tester’ involves literally trying to ‘break’ a game, or find out ways to mess it up or analyze why it may or may not be fun for users.

2. Become a Professional Gamer

Yes, mom and dad, that’s a ‘thing.’ Pro Gamers are now competing around the world, and winning millions at events sponsored by the Major League Gaming circuit, the International Dota 2 championship, and Intel Extreme Masters.

MLG has built arenas across the country from which to host and stream live professional gaming events. It even has scouts and communities on the internet to find the best, untapped players. 

The best advice for how to get involved is to pick a game, namely one you consider yourself already good at playing, and become an expert at it. Then, build your reputation as both a skilled player and a team player.  Then, participate in eSports games.

3. Become an Entertainer and Streamer (Like PewDiePie)

Every gamer or YouTube follower knows the moniker “PewDiePie.” But how did Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg become so famous? Well, he started out just playing video games, and uploading videos of himself playing on YouTube.

He came up with his name because he thought it would be pronounced like the sound of the “shooter” video games he preferred playing. “Pew, pew,” – the sound of electronic simulated gunfire or electronic laser shots. 

He originally was calling himself “PewDie,” then lost his credentials for that YouTube channel, and started another one, with the handle “PewDiePie.” And a star was essentially born.

The first step, of course, is to record yourself playing and upload it to a YouTube channel, like PDP (shorthand for PewDiePie). 

To start a YouTube channel, you need a Google account. On YouTube, go to Creator Studio. From there, it will tell you that you must create a channel to upload videos. Click “Create a Channel,” and create a channel. 

To upload videos to your account, go to “Video Manager,” and in the upper right hand corner you’ll see an ‘upload’ button. Click it, and you’ll be ready to upload your first video (that you downloaded to your computer). There is also an icon for streaming “live” to your fans. 

4. Join Twitch

Twitch, a live streaming video platform, is a subsidiary of Twitch Interactive, which was acquired by Amazon in 2014 for $970 million. Twitch was, in 2014, the fourth largest source of internet traffic in the U.S.

Twitch has a “Partner Program” that pays partners $3 for every 1,000 ad views; $5 a month for every subscriber and, combining it with sponsorships, Amazon referral links, and PayPal donations, gamers can start to build both their audience and their income.

That’s because, even more than YouTube, Twitch is used by gamers to stream video game playing. Among the common tips from people who have done it are: try to focus on one particular game, to narrow focus of fans on you and your channel; maintain a consistent, and reliable, schedule; consider streaming with a friend, so you have someone to interact with on your stream besides just the game; when your channel attracts fans, interact with them. 

Twitch’s Partner Program allows content producers to share with the platform the  advertising revenue generated by their streams. Twitch partners also get a share in the monthly channel subscription, though there was at one time a requirement for prospective partners to have 500 or more average viewers. 

Twitch launched an Affiliate Program in 2017, to allow smaller channels to generate revenue. 

5. Get Paid Directly to Play

Again, this may come as a shock to some, but yes, there are actually sites that will pay you to play their games. 

You won’t be paid in cash upfront. You may get paid in some form of electronic or cryptocurrency, like tokens or ‘coins’ that then you can turn in to gift cards or prepay cards, such as with Banatic, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars. 

Most of these sites are looking for you to not only play their games for free, but also to review them. Some, like InboxDollars, are actually a service for marketers to reach potential customers, from which InboxDollars shares some of its advertising income.

Get Paid Directly to Play

So are you ready to get paid to play games? Here’s my list of the best ways to make easy money through gaming.

1. Sign Up For Reward Apps

The easiest way to start a side hustle using your gaming passion is by downloading apps that pay you to play games. Although it won’t pay much compared to the other money-making ideas we’re going to share below, it also takes the least effort.

First of all, you’ll have to pick a legit platform that pays well for your gaming sessions. The safest way is to go for popular reward apps offering minor tasks in exchange for points, cash, or gift cards.

2. Become a YouTuber

Apart from earning small rewards from gaming apps, there are many other ways you can get paid to play games at home. This one takes more effort and dedication and is more profitable as well.

If you are an expert in gaming, you can post gaming content on your YouTube channel and earn through it. But first, you’ll have to monetize your channel so that the traffic on your content can bring you some hard cash.

After you’ve gained enough followers, you can create content on any topic you like regarding gaming. You can play games and give critical reviews, guidelines, and tips about mastering the game.

3. Stream Your Gameplay Online

If you are a regular gamer, you may play certain games exceptionally well. You might also know the tips and tricks to get bonus points or unlock new features.

If so, you can easily stream your gameplay online, and there are ways to profit while doing it.

Either you can upload your videos to your Youtube channel, as we suggested before, or you can stream your gameplay on Twitch.

Twitch is an online platform where gamers meet up and share their gaming techniques, tricks, and expertise with friends across the globe.

Not only will you find an appropriate audience for your streaming on this site, but you can also get paid for it directly through the platform.

That is, once you pass as a legit gaming streamer by crossing a one-hundred-subscribers threshold. For that, you’ll have to create watch-worthy content. You can try by mastering a popular game, displaying humor or an engaging personality, or by playing unique games.

To record your gameplay, you’ll need to invest in some equipment to increase the quality of your videos.

On Twitch, you receive $5 for every subscriber who visits your channel, once you’ve reached the monetization stage.

That’s good money to begin working for if you’re interested in this field. It will take some effort to establish yourself. But, once you’ve made it, you might be able to think of gaming as your primary source of income.

4. Monetize Your Gaming Server

Now, you can get paid to play video games at home if you are willing to invest some money. All you have to do is create your own game server.

You can buy a server to host games like Minecraft, Clan, or Guild at a monthly hosting price. Sites like Enjinn let you buy gaming servers and charge players to compensate for the amount you spend in the long run.

Besides that, if you’re an exceptional gamer, you can find sponsors for your server as well. This way, you can earn smoothly from every player that visits your server.

You can even display ads on your server and get affiliate profit from the advertisers. However, monetizing your server is tricky because compromising the game’s integrity is against the rules.

Just make sure you read the guidelines properly before starting off.

5. Play Games On Trial

There are many new games pumped out every day. The problem is, no one wants to try those games unless they are worth it. Developers need people to test their game repeatedly to see what it lacks.

Most games go through lots of developmental stages to help refine the experience, and that’s where you come in.

Developers hire players to play and identify any defects or glitches in their games. With this, they can get an honest opinion from a player’s point of view and check if the game will work well for the masses.

As a game tester, you’ll get a list of aspects that the developer wants you to keep an eye out for while playing the game. It’s mostly straightforward, but it can get tiring if you play for long hours.

Look at it this way: if you’re testing an action game like Mortal Kombat, you’ll have to play all the characters against one another to see how they work. Combined, that equals to almost 8000 matches.

So, this job is mainly for people with good analysis and concentration skills.

To find game-testing gigs, you can look at platforms like PlaytestCloud or ErliBird. Here, you can choose the games you want to play and start earning for the time you spend.

Furthermore, if you want to make a living out of playtesting, you can even apply for a position at gaming research companies. It requires more effort than signing up on an app.

You’ll have to send in your application, appear for interviews, and collect some prior experience before jumping in.

How to Make Money Playing Games on YouTube

If you want to make money playing video games, you can do exactly that by creating a video gaming YouTube channel. But, remember that it will take a lot of effort to make your YouTube video game channel popular.

It takes dedication and hard work to make your channel popular on YouTube, thereby gaining numerous views for your videos.

1. Brand Your Channel

Branding is the most important thing you can do if you want to succeed on YouTube. Without proper branding, you will not be able to differentiate your channel from the millions of other channels that are available. How do you create a unique brand for your video gaming channel?

You have to give your channel a catchy name, something memorable. You also need a good, recognizable logo and a snazzy cover picture. Since you are intimately familiar with the vision of your channel, it is preferable that you design your channel logo, picture, and video introduction yourself, as opposed to hiring out this task.

2. Publish Videos Every Day

Once you’ve established your brand, it is the time for you to focus on your business. Your business is to create consistent content for your channel. Make a goal to publish at least one video every day for your channel. Since you love video game, it will not be too difficult for you to do so.

For example, you can simply record yourself playing your favorite game for 10 minutes. That is enough to provide initial content to your channel. The more content that you create, the more popular your channel will become and the more opportunity that you will have to monetize it.

3. Offer a Variety of Content

To keep your channel fresh and interesting for your audience, you need to publish more than one type of content on your channel. You need to offer a variety of different types of videos and there are many other ways to make money on YouTube.

This is important to attract as much interest as possible from a varied audience and get more views for your YouTube videos. For instance, you can publish a “Let’s Play” video every Monday while publishing video game reviews every weekend. In this way, people will keep coming to watch your videos because you are offering them a variety of content that they can enjoy.

4. Always Ask Your Viewers to Subscribe

Remember: It is important to ask your viewers to subscribe at the end of every one of your videos, as well as in your video descriptions. Your ability to build subscribers to your YouTube channel will determine the popularity of your channel.

The best thing about YouTube is that the more popular your channel becomes, the more it will attract viewers to your videos. The more subscribers that you have, the more people will subscribe to your channel. So, make sure that you continuously encourage people to subscribe to your channel, so that they can watch the latest videos as they are uploaded to your channel.

5. Offer Free Prizes for Special Events

It is always great to give a free prize to your viewers on special events. Not only it will keep your channel subscribers happy, but it will also give your channel more clout. For instance, you can give a free prize when you reach a certain number of subscribers, during specific holidays, at the release of certain big-name games, and so on.

When you give value to your subscribers, they will reciprocate by continuously returning to your channel. If their perceived value is high enough, they will likely recruit their friends to support your channel, as well. This way, you can profit more from your video gaming YouTube channel.

Can Gaming be a Career?

Now a multi-billion dollar industry, there are many gaming career options to choose from, both on the technical and creative sides of the field. If you have the commitment, skills and drive to immerse yourself in the world of video games, the possibilities are endless.

Games Designer

Are you brimming with ideas for video games? If so a video game designer could be the career for you. In this job, you’ll come up with the concepts that eventually become video games. You’ll develop the storylines and characters, then work with a creative team of designers and developers through the game production process to bring your game to life.

Game design is becoming ever more complex, so an accredited Games Art and Design course is essential in making this career a reality.

Software Developer and Game Programmer

As a software developer and computer programmer, you’ll turn the games designer’s vision into a playable and controllable game. The more technical side of games design, you’ll use programming languages and ‘engines’ to enhance game play.

Developers design the software that make games work the way the designers have envisioned, while programmers use problem-solving skills to create the code that turns the games designers’ ideas into instructions that video game systems can read.

Audio Engineer

Have you ever thought about what goes into how a game sounds? That’s where the audio engineer comes in. They use computers and electrical sound equipment to create everything you hear in a game, from sound effects to ambient noise, background music and voice-overs.

Sound has become a huge part of the gaming experience, so if you’re passionate about audio and creating the perfect ambiance, becoming an audio engineer could be the perfect gaming career for you.

Games Animator

Do you have the skills to create memorable characters that will visually appeal to players? The ability to bring video games to life visually is becoming increasingly valuable within the gaming industry. Animators are responsible for using specialist software to create a series of pictures that visually represent the movement and behavior of characters within a game.

Games Artist

If you have a flair for the arts, a career as a games artist could be the perfect fit. Whether you’re trying to make a game look as realistic as possible or going for a more stylized look, in your role as a games artist you’ll be using your imaginative and creative skills to develop all visual elements, such as characters, scenery, and surface textures.

Interpreters and Translators

The gaming industry is a global marketplace meaning games need to be translated in order to be marketed to international audiences. Interpreters will convert the characters’ dialogue into various languages, while translators will change the instructions and documentation from their original languages so they are understood globally.

If you’re not bilingual, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to start learning a second language as an adult, including university courses.

Game Play Tester

Now we come to playing the games! Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as it sounds due to a heavy focus on quality assurance. Game testers work their way around the game to make sure it functions correctly and game instructions and documentation are clear. They look for glitches and bugs in the system and report their findings to the designers and developers. It’s a pretty cool job if you like problem solving and gaming!

Professional Gamer

Ahh the Promised Land! Can you believe you could make a living out of playing video games?! You have to be incredibly talented and devote a lot of time each day to practice, but that’s like anything, right?  The salary of a gamer will obviously vary depending on how skilled you are.

Professional gamers earn winnings from sponsored tournaments and personal sponsorships just like professional athletes. It can be quite a short career and a lot of pro gamers go into games art and design or programming and development after they retire from the pro gaming world.

How Many Followers do You Need on Twitch to Start Making Money?

You can’t attract an audience on any online platform overnight. It’s the same with Twitch.

“Successful channels — like companies — are built up over years, not over days or weeks,” says Jordan Slavik, an avid gamer who has advised Twitch broadcasters on building a following. “The most important thing is to keep producing materials.”

You might make a little money here and there at first, but don’t expect a steady income until you’ve put in a lot of work. Find your niche, whether it’s a game, genre or shtick — if you’re not the most skilled player, for example, be the funniest.

Set a regular streaming schedule so fans know when to tune in. Use your existing social media accounts — Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, etc. — to promote your Twitch broadcasts. And support other Twitch users by watching and engaging with their streams.

Your marketing and networking skills are almost as important as your gaming skills, Slavik says.

Once you attract viewers, interact with them. Ask questions. Crack jokes. Respond to chats. An entertaining broadcaster gets fans to tune in stream after stream.

Streamers who meet a specific set of criteria can become a Twitch Affiliate. The program is invitation-only, and you must have met the following milestones within the past 30 days to be eligible, according to Twitch:

• A minimum of 500 total minutes broadcasted.
• A minimum of seven different broadcast days.
• An average of three concurrent viewers or more.
• At least 50 followers.

Who is The Richest Gamer?

1. Ninja (Tyler Blevins)

Earnings: $17 million

The top gamer was everywhere in 2019, from Red Bull cans in grocery stores to bedding in Walmart to starring roles in NFL commercials. While his viewership fell, his influence didn’t, with endorsements from Adidas, Red Bull and underwear designer PSD.

His exclusivity deal with Microsoft is helping to reshape the live-streaming landscape. And the good times seem to be continuing. This month, Fortnite maker Epic Games released an in-game Ninja avatar that fans can play as.

2. PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg)

Earnings: $15 million

The top individual YouTuber, Felix Kjellberg announced he’d be taking a break from the site after another tumultuous year. Last September he pledged $50,000 to the Anti-Defamation League to “move past” his anti-Semitic controversies—then suddenly canceled the donation after an outcry from his fan base. Kjellberg remains as popular as ever, though, pulling in a staggering 4.5 billion views in 2019.

3. Preston (Preston Arsement)

Earnings: $14 million

Both a popular Minecraft player and vlogger, Preston’s also bringing in seven figures annually hosting custom versions of Minecraft with in-game spending.

4. Markiplier (Mark Fischbach)

Earnings: $14 million

He built a following with humorous, over-the-top reactions to horror video games like Amnesia: The Dark Descent and released a choose-your-own-adventure YouTube Original film last fall called A Heist with Markiplier.

5 Shroud (Michael Grzesiek)

Earnings: $12.5 million

Not being tethered to one game has made Michael Grzesiek a favorite of major game publishers like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Activision Blizzard. The former pro also has an extensive clothing line with gaming brand Jinx.

How Much Money do Gamers Make a Month?

The average professional gamer can earn $60,000 per year. If you are really good you can earn millions yearly including other perks like travel arrangements, sponsorships, and prizes.

Although not all professional gaming teams have a monthly salary, nowadays, the number of companies providing monthly pay is increasing. Based on the latest survey of Esportsearnings.com, pro gamers earn between $1,000 to $5,000 per month. The highest paid professional gamers earn up to $15,000 apart from the money they get from their other activities like sponsors and prize money.

How do Free Games Make Money?

Ads

Many free-to-play games are powered by ad revenue. Recent mobile blockbusters like Draw Something and, to a lesser extent, Hero Academy monetize themselves through ads. Ads, however, aren’t usually enough to make the endeavor worthwhile

Micro-transactions

Game developers would rather players throw in a few dollars to buy things after they’ve started playing a game than to sell their eyeballs to advertisers. The micro-transaction model is so much more preferable, that many games (including the two I mentioned above) often offer to get rid of ads after a purchase of less than $3.

Read Also: How to Earn a Living by Inventing New Board Games

So how do micro-transactions work? Usually, a player can buy small things for low prices (often less than a dollar, rarely more than five), that enhance their play experience (such as more colors to draw within Draw Something) or add cosmetically to their online avatar (profile pictures in Hero Academy).

On a recent podcast, Jeff Green, the editorial director for Pop Cap Games said that the company’s popular Bejewelled Blitz game now makes significantly more money now as a free game with micro-transactions than it did when it was a paid game without micro-transactions.

Conversion Rate

Of course, even with the lure of micro-transactions, not all players put money down. The creators of Zynga’s Farmville said that only between 3% and 5% of players actually ever spend any money on the game. On top of that many measures which could theoretically increase this conversion rate, such as offering up premium bonuses that would give a competitive advantage, are usually violently rejected by the player base with cries of “pay to win.”

However, depending on the game, it’s often very feasible to not only make money off of the remaining 3-5% of paying customers. Sometimes a lot of money.

Can a Gamer Earn Money?

As a gamer who is interested in earn money, there are five primary sources of income for professional gamers: prize money, salaries, sponsorships, live-streaming, and video-on-demand content.

Prize Money

Prize money is the oldest and simplest form of making money as a professional gamer. If a player places high enough in a tournament, they receive a portion of the tournament’s prize pool – similar to conventional sports such as golf or tennis.

Prize pools tend to be more prevalent in single-player focused titles, however, team competitions in major tournaments (such as Dota 2’s The International) often share prize pools with the players who competed on behalf of the organization.

While prize pools have existed in competitive gaming since the early 80s, it has seen its importance fall fairly precipitously in modern competitive gaming given concerns with the viability of such a mechanism as more and more investors in the space push for longer-term and more stable vehicles to generate returns for their investments. After all, if an esports player or organization fails to do well at a given tournament, they may end up losing money by attending.

Most major tournaments (as well as many smaller ones) require that participants travel to a physical venue that may be some distance away from where the team or the competitors are based. Once travel, lodging, entry fees, and meal expenses are incurred, teams or individuals that fail to place well can often be left off worse financially than if they had simply stayed at home.

Until the early 2010s, it was a common occurrence for esports professionals to work a full-time job during the week, while competing in events on the weekends. Money was scarce in the early days of esports and living off non-guaranteed tournament winnings was not a viable solution for most.

Sponsors and investors were still afraid to invest substantial resources into esports, as they viewed gaming as a pastime for kids and teenagers, not an industry that has now grown to be larger than the film and music industries combined.

Such thinking began to change in 2010. As more and more money began flowing into the competitive gaming scene, professional teams began forming.

Fed up with the instability they often faced as smaller scale professional gamers, esports players began pursuing opportunities that provided more security and less reliance on prize money, something that contracts with professional teams would ultimately offer in the form of salaries.

Salaries

Some of the earliest formed esports teams include Cloud9, Team SoloMid (TSM), and Team Liquid. These organizations spearheaded many of the trends that have ultimately led to an increased quality of life for their players, the most important of which is a guaranteed salary.

Several years later, esports leagues such as the Overwatch League, would expand on the benefits available to those who compete at the sports highest level. Overwatch’s parent organization, Activision-Blizzard, has mandated that all players must receive health benefits and access to a retirement plan on top of a $50k minimum salary, a total compensation package that is in line with the median in the US.

For professional gamers that have historically made a meager living off of prize money alone, having a guaranteed living wage was a huge burden lifted. Competitive salaries meant that players could now focus on doing well in tournaments without the added stress of potentially losing money. Prize money was now an extra bonus if a team did well, rather than a competitor’s sole source of income.

Nowadays, many teams offer even more guaranteed benefits to attract top talent in an increasingly competitive labor market. Million-dollar team homes with professional nutritionists and chefs can be found throughout Los Angeles, Berlin, and other esports hubs, as teams look to provide their players with every competitive edge possible in an effort to boost both performance and morale.

The next three ways professional gamers can make money – sponsorships, Twitch, and YouTube – applies to not only esports competitors, but also to individual content creators that focus on holistic entertainment instead of pure performance.

Sponsors

Sponsorships are another viable, high-paying source of income for both professional players and streamers. As esports players and streamers became increasingly visible to the broader public and started attracting sizable fanbases, companies not endemic to video games or esports began sponsoring these individuals, as well as teams and leagues, in increasing numbers.

Beverage brands such as Red Bull, Monster Energy, and Mountain Dew, and computer companies such as Intel and AMD, all have sponsorships with high-profile players and teams. In turn, the organizations and players endorse their sponsor’s products on their Twitch streams and social media, use their products, and feature in commercials.

Food, beverage, and computer component and peripheral companies were among the first entities to sponsor gamers given the deep association and direct link with the consumption of video games and related content. These sponsors are typically viewed as natively endemic to the space and have had years to realize the returns on their initial investments in the space.

Perhaps most compelling for the incomes of future professional gamers is the proliferation of non-endemic sponsors in the esports and gaming industries. Mercedes-Benz and Gillette are two high-profile brands previously not affiliated with gaming that have now jumped onto the esports train with large investments –Mercedes-Benz has partnered with the ESL and Gilette has joined forces with Twitch via the Gilette Gaming Alliance.

Celebrities and investors have also entered the gaming industry in force in recent years. NBA legend and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan, rapper Drake, former Lakers player Rick Fox, and billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban are some notable names that have either invested directly into esports organizations, or are limited partners at venture capital funds that have made investments in the space.

With a sudden influx of capital into esports from brands, celebrities, and investors, professional players have seen the value of associated sponsorships climb alongside company valuations.

Twitch

Streaming is perhaps the most popular way for non-competitive gamers to make a living in the video game space While streaming has evolved to include in-real-life (IRL) activities like cooking, watching movies, or just chatting, gaming was undoubtedly the genesis of this rapidly growing industry, and still represents a significant portion of overall traffic on streaming sites.

Competitive esports athletes can also leverage streaming to expand on their earnings potential, with individuals on teams often streaming when their season is over or outside of team-mandated practice.

The most popular streaming platform, Twitch, dominates with approximately 72% of the market. YouTube Gaming has approximately 20% of the streaming marketplace, with Facebook Gaming (5%) and Mixer (3%) rounding out the remaining notable participants.

Since Twitch’s inception in 2011, it has established itself as the live streaming platform of choice for streamers. The primary mechanism by which streamers can earn money on Twitch is by becoming a partner, which allows channels to charge subscribers a fee for access to content.

While not a necessity to access standard streaming content, subscriptions allow subscribers to reward their favorite content creators, and can grant access to custom emotes, among other benefits. Twitch subscriptions are broken out into three tiers:

• Tier 1: $4.99 per month
• Tier 2: $9.99 per month
• Tier 3: $24.99 per month

New Twitch streamers typically share the subscription fee with Twitch (who is owned by Amazon) under a 50/50 revenue share agreement. The most popular streamers on the network can often renegotiate their revenue share agreement to a more favorable 70/30 split in favor of the streamer.

This is likely contributable to larger advertising revenue associated with greater CPMs. The potential for better pay outs serves as motivation for small and mid-sized streamers to produce high-quality streams that will draw more eyeballs.

As streamers grow their audience procure ever more subscribers, it becomes increasingly apparent how the most popular streamers can make a living off subscriptions alone. A streamer with 2,000 Tier 1 subscribers alone can take home roughly $5,000 a month (2,000 * $2.50).

Meanwhile, a popular streamer with twice the subscriber base who has renegotiated their rates can earn $14,000 a month (4,000 * $3.50). In addition, if a streamer has a significant number of Tier 2 and Tier 3 subscribers, their monthly earnings can be even greater.

Each month, subscribers need to renew their monthly subscription for streamers to continue being paid. Subscription numbers fluctuate up-and-down depending on how loyal a streamer’s audience is. This dynamic incentivizes streamers to stream often, engage with their fans, and encourage their audience to re-subscribe.

Donations are another way individuals can make money from streaming platforms. Viewers have the option of donating money or, in the case of Twitch, Bits – a bit is valued at 100 bits to $1 – to the streamer. While some streamers are reported to make several thousands of dollars per month from donations alone, the vast majority of streamers make far less.

Relying on donations as a sole source of income is undoubtedly risky. Unlike subscribers, which hover around an expected range each month, donations are random and can coincide with seemingly random events. One month may see a larger influx of donations, while another month may have little to no donations.

Displaying advertisements on their channels is another way streamers can make money on Twitch. However, low CPMs for all but the largest of channels results in potential income of only a few cents per advertisement run. In addition, if streamers try to run ads too frequently to counteract the low expected earnings per each unique ad, they risk alienating their user base.

YouTube

Posting VOD content to YouTube is another way many professional gamers monetize the content that they have created. Many professional gamers have editors that reduce down a full, eight or ten hour streaming session into a ten to twenty minute VOD for distribution on YouTube, providing an opportunity for fans who may not be able to watch content in real-time (or for a full session) to still consume content from their favorite creators.

Similar to Twitch, YouTube also has a pay subscription, called a “channel membership”; however, there is only one tier at a cost of $4.99 a month. YouTube also provides options to accept donations and run ads on the platform, so as long as certain criteria for monetization are met. The Google-owned platform also collaborates with the merchandise brand Teespring, which allows creators to sell their own merchandise directly through the platform.

As a result of YouTube’s more stringent monetization criteria, a number of content creators have turned to Patreon as an alternative to direct content distribution via YouTube itself – instead offering access to private channels as rewards for monthly subscriptions processed via Patreon.

How do I Get a Job in Gaming?

Since it’s a popular industry, it can be difficult getting into the video game creation field if you have little to no experience. Luckily, there are various ways you can gain expertise and knowledge in the industry to eventually earn a career in it.

Follow the steps discussed below to successfully get into the gaming industry:

1. Spend time on video game discussion boards

There are many online video game discussion boards where users share advice and tips on the video game industry. This allows you to gain extensive knowledge of video games and what it’s like to work in that field. Some users will also publish their own video games and receive feedback from others on what to improve.

If you have prototypes of video games you’ve created that you’d like to share, you can post them on the discussion boards as well. Some executive game designers browse these boards, so they may view your game and provide helpful feedback. They may even offer you a role at the gaming company where they work.

2. Build a gaming blog

If you’re interested in writing about gaming or if you’d like to demonstrate your advanced gaming knowledge to potential employers, you can do so with a blog. You can create a blog for the gaming community that features stories about your gaming experience, tips to follow when playing certain games or reviews about newly released games. Experts in the gaming industry may locate your blog, enjoy your work and reach out to you for feedback or potential opportunities.

3. Create your own games

Many employers require or prefer candidates to have experience creating games, which can be difficult for entry level employees to obtain. Take courses online to learn how to make games and earn certifications in certain software systems that you can include on your resume.

You can also build a portfolio that features your homemade games. This way, you can still showcase your experience creating games, even if you haven’t worked at a video game company. There are also some companies that hire freelance video game developers to design or help build their games. Showcasing your freelance work is another way to make your resume stand out, even if you don’t have experience physically working in a video game company.

4. Earn your college degree

A great way to learn about the video game industry, develop an advanced skill set and gain valuable connections is to pursue a bachelor’s degree in video game development or game art and design. Apply the skills and education you develop toward the career you pursue.

You can also feature your class projects on your portfolio to showcase to hiring managers. When pursuing this program, you can take courses that teach you coding, animation, scripting, drawing and using common software systems.

5. Pursue entry level and internship roles

Conduct research to locate available positions within the video gaming industry and find ones that appeal the most to you. Some entry level roles involve testing video games, which rarely require a degree or professional experience.

Working as a video game tester can help you better understand how the gaming industry operates to help you realize if you still want to work in it. If you perform well as a video game tester, your chances of moving up to more advanced designing or developing roles will grow.

You can also pursue an internship in game development if you have basic art, sound design or programming skills. Research potential internship programs that video game companies may offer. This is a great way to build connections within the industry and to learn which specific career you’d like to pursue, if you’re unsure. Some companies choose to hire their interns full time if they’re impressed with their work.

6. Work in a gaming studio

Once you’ve gained extensive knowledge, experience and abilities, you can pursue a role at a gaming studio. Update your resume to include any related job duties, education or skills you’ve earned that make you a great fit for the role.

You can also share your portfolio featuring your projects or games to stand out to hiring managers. Some gaming studios hire employees to work in non-development roles at first and allow them to later move up to development, animation or design positions.

What Games Can Earn Money?

Online games aren’t just timepass anymore, they’ve expanded beyond that in recent times. Online games are designed in such a way that they tend to test your critical thinking, reflexes, eye and hand coordination, puzzles and quizzes on almost every topic possible from current affairs, general knowledge, music, sports and so much more.

There are many online games available to all with very minimal amounts needed to start but can make you a good amount of money if your luck and brain can coordinate well together. So here is a list of 10 online games that you can play to earn real money online. You can go ahead and try them out now!

1. Dream11.com
2. Paytm First Games
3. Qureka
4. Loco
5. My11Circle
6. Ace2Three
7. 8 Ball Pool
8. Pokerbaazi.com
9. Rummy Circle
10. QuickWin App

Get Paid to Play Video Games With Guys

If you spend a lot of time playing games with the guys, it is only fair that you get paid for it. We have done a research on the top 10 ways to make money by playing your favorite video games with the guys.

1. Get Paid Directly To Play – Try Mistplay!

Mistplay is an excellent app available on Android that is a great way to monetize playing video games on your phone.

The app provides users with an environment to participate in games in exchange for prizes. Users can join in in-app games to receive gift cards from retailers such as Amazon, Google Play, and even virtual Visa gift cards by earning points.

With Mistplay, you are eligible to receive compensation from the minute you start playing. You can even play with friends and level up your avatar to unlock achievements and earn units faster. They also support user communications and offer a chat feature, encouraging connections amongst participants. Another important note is that users will not pay fees to download, join, or play games in Mistplay.

2. Gamehag

Through Gamehag, you can play free online games to collect Soul Gems and exchange them for rewards. Earn free Robux, Steam Wallet, Prepaid Mastercard, and more!

Play games, complete tasks, and get rewarded.

3. Video Game Coaching

Coaching is an up-and-coming new way to make money in gaming. You can offer to coach your favorite competitive match (such as League of Legends).

Video game coaches can earn between $20 to $200 per hour, depending on their skill level and how many players want their services. For example, Metaphor (a League of Legends coach mentioned in the YouTube section) offers coaching services for $50 to $80 per hour.

Getting started as a coach typically means gaining an audience through a platform like YouTube and offering your services to your audience.

4. Game Tester

A ‘Game Tester’ or ‘Beta Tester’ is good for people who love trying new games. The biggest difference between a Quality Assurance (QA) tester and these testers is that a QA tester deals with a product that already meets a certain level of quality as desired by the developers.

By contrast, being a game tester involves trying to ‘break’ a game, find ways to mess it up, or analyze why it may or may not be fun for users.

5. Become a Professional Gamer

Professional gamers compete worldwide and win millions at events sponsored by the Major League Gaming (MLG) circuit, the International Dota 2 championship, and Intel Extreme Masters. MLG has built arenas to host and stream live professional gaming events across the country. It even has scouts and communities on the internet to find the best-untapped players.

The best advice for going pro is to pick a game you are already good at playing and then become an expert at it. From there, work on building your reputation as both a skilled player and a team player. Then it is time to enter the esports arena!

6. Start a YouTube Channel

Through YouTube, you can grow your channel to a level where you can monetize your content.

Once you’ve mastered the steps required to monetize your channel, you can take your content in any direction. Whether you want to stream your gaming, critique others’ gaming, or offer tutorials on gaming tips and tricks, YouTube is an excellent platform to address all these subjects.

We recommend using YouTube to further your gaming research, too. If you’re looking for in-depth information on monetizing your gaming habits, YouTube has a wealth of content that can provide you with guidance on that topic. Whatever your approach is, starting with YouTube is the way to go.

Get Paid to Play Video Games at Home for Free

1. Create a Youtube channel

Many avid game players make money in the gaming world via a YouTube channel. You can run live streams or pre-recorded videos of your gameplay for others to watch as you go through the game.

You can also post video game tutorials, gameplay tutorials, reviewing games, and general gaming tips on your YouTube channel to boost your following and monetize your channel. You will earn a percentage of ad revenue when your viewers watch video or banner ads on your gaming videos.

2. Become a video game developer

If you’d rather be behind the scenes and want to be both a skilled player and a game designer, then becoming a video game developer might be the right path for you.

You can work with game design companies to create a new game and become part of the video game industry as you earn money. Game developers work with a video game company to earn money, with the average salary being anywhere between $60,000-70,000 a year. You can browse job boards to understand what requirements are needed for a game developer, as each company will likely have different requirements.

3. Set up a video game coaching business

If you like teaching and playing games, you can combine the two interests to set up a video game coaching business. As a video game coach, your responsibilities would entail walking through gameplay tutorials, giving players tips and advice, and helping players improve as they practice for video game tournaments.

You can set up your coaching business, so it’s a mixture of one-on-one teaching and watching videos so that clients feel engaged and motivated to play better. Video games coaches can earn anywhere between $26,000 a year to $75,000 a year depending on expertise, the game, and other factors

4. Become a video game journalist

Another great way to explore your interest in video games is to become a video game journalist. You’ll report on new releases from video game companies, play games and write reviews, report on gaming tournaments, and more.

You can be a freelance video game journalist or apply to write for a video game publication. On average, most video game journalists earn between $26,000-$103,000 based on their expertise, profile, and portfolio.

5. Become a QA tester

When games are being developed, a game tester is needed before the game can be released. That means playing the game, providing feedback on the quality, the game itself, and reporting any bugs or issues you’re spotting.

As a quality assurance game tester, you can work with a new or upgraded game and help make it better. A video game quality assurance tester can earn about $50,000 a year on average, but it can also go to higher ranges based on experience.

6. Become a Twitch streamer

Twitch is one of the most popular gaming sites in the world, and many gamers earn real money by streaming their gameplay on the platform. And it is one of the more legit money-making apps in gaming. So, learning how to make money on Twitch will pay off.

Twitch enables users by monetizing their live streams through ads, subscriptions, and more. Twitch can be a lucrative way to use your gaming habit to make money and gain a following for yourself. So, learning how to make money on Twitch is a good way to start understanding the platform.

7. Create video game tutorials

You can create specialized video game tutorials and post them on social media platforms such as YouTube and Twitch to make additional money. You can boost your bank account while teaching others how to play new and upgraded games and impart your wisdom. You can choose to focus on a particular game and build a niche or create tutorials for many games to attract a wider audience.

How to Make Money Gaming as a Kid

Once upon a time, kids played video games because they were fun. They spent hours getting to the next level, saving the princess, and defeating the bad guy. Afterwards, they shut off the console, wiped off their sweaty palms, and called it a day. But today, a new class of games have emerged—one with a whole new set of goals, including investment opportunities and potential earning streams.

With the rise of Esports, Twitch, and professional gamers, there’s never been a better time to monetize your video game hobby. Below are some tested ways you can make money with your gaming skill or hobby.

1. Video Game Coaching
2. Group Video Game Classes for Kids
3. Play-to-Earn Game Apps
   Blackout Bingo
   Solitaire Cube
   Cashyy (Android)
   Mistplay (Android)
4. Video Game Reporting
5. Video Game Testing
6. Start a Video Game YouTube Channel
7. Stream on Twitch
8. Crypto Gaming
9. Create Video Game Guides
10. Sell Merchandise
11. Build Your Own Video Game or App
12. Be a Video Game Developer
13. Teach Video Game Design
14. Be a Professional Gamer
15. Become an E-Sports Star

How to Get Money on PS4 for Free

It’s no secret that the Playstation 4 (PS4) is one of the most popular gaming consoles on the market. But what many people don’t know is that there are actually quite a few ways to get free money in your PS4 wallet. Here are a few of the most popular methods:

1. Use a PSN code generator.
   There are a number of websites that offer free PSN codes. All you need to do is enter your PSN username and they’ll generate a code for you. You can then redeem the code in the Playstation Store.
2. Take advantage of special promotions.
   From time to time, Sony will offer special promotions that give you the opportunity to earn free money. For example, they often have a “Spend $50, Get $10” promotion going on.
3. Complete surveys.
   There are a number of companies that are willing to pay you for your opinion. All you need to do is sign up for a free account and start completing surveys. You’ll then be able to cash out your earnings through PayPal or other methods.
4. Use a rewards credit card.
   If you’re a big fan of Playstation, then you might want to consider signing up for a rewards credit card. These cards will give you points for every dollar you spend. You can then redeem your points for free stuff, including PSN codes.
5. Sell your old games.
   If you have any old Playstation games lying around, you can actually make some decent money by selling them. There are a number of sites that specialize in buying and selling used games.

Lastly

Having and playing your PS4 might be just a hobby to you, but as we have seen in this article ,you can make money while enjoying your hobby. Although these method will not make you huge amounts immediately, they are worth the try.

You will be surprised at how much you are able to gather after a while. So go ahead and dust off that old PS4 console and make money from it.