In recent years, the gaming industry has evolved beyond mere entertainment, transforming into a lucrative landscape for individuals seeking to make a living. How to make money gaming is a question that resonates with a growing community of gamers who recognize the potential of turning their passion into a profitable gaming venture.
Why make money as a gamer?
Passionate gamers now have diverse avenues to turn their love for gaming into income. While esports is a popular choice, the landscape has broadened. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming empower gamers to monetize their content, showcasing skills and personality to a wide audience.
Entrepreneurship in gaming is thriving, with business ideas and opportunities in game development, software and merchandise businesses. Influential gamers, like Mr. Beast, have become cultural icons, attracting lucrative partnerships. This flexibility appeals to those seeking non-traditional career paths in the gaming industry and for those looking for businesses to start with little money.
10 ways to make money gaming
01. Gaming streaming and content creation
Game streaming involves broadcasting live gameplay, while content creation includes making videos, reviews and tutorials related to gaming. This is a popular way to make money gaming and one that most gamers use to monetize their brand and content.
Famous gamers who got their start from gaming streaming include Mr. Beast, PewDiePie, Dan TDM and DrLupo. Popular games that gamers use for live gameplay include Fortnite and Roblox.
Game streaming can be monetized through ad revenue donations from viewers, sponsorships and affiliate marketing which is where you add affiliate links to products from your content. When your users click on the link and buy from the affiliate, you earn money.
It’s a great way to engage with a potentially large audience, build a community and diversify your income. It requires constant and consistent content creation, building engagement with your audience and building collaborations with brands to make it successful.
02. Esports competitions and tournaments
Gamers can make money by organizing or participating in esports competitions and tournaments. As an organizer you can make money from sponsorships, ticket sales and selling broadcasting rights to the competition to the media. As a participant you can earn money by winning, or by brand sponsorships - they sponsor you, you promote their brand by wearing their branded clothes are you play, as an example.
Examples of tournaments you could enter as a gamer include:
League of Legends World Championship
Halo World Championship
FCNS Global Championship (Fortnite)
Overwatch World Cup
IEM Sydney (CS:GO)
03. Game development
Some gamers make money by going into game development - the creation and selling of video or online games for others to play. You make money through game sales, in-game purchases and licensing. If successful it can be a way to make a lot of money as a gamer, however, it takes a great deal of game development experience, expertise and investment to make it work.
If you’re a gamer looking to get into game development, you can use platforms such as Steam and itchio which allow you to digitally distribute your game without necessarily needing to rely on a large game publisher to get your game out there
Well-known games created by independent gamers include:
Minecraft by Markus Persson at Notch
Braid by Jonathan Blow
Fez by Phil Fish
04. Game testing and reviews
Playing and reviewing games for an audience, or writing blog posts or other types of online reviews of games is one way for gamers to make money.
Learn more: How to start a gaming blog
You can film yourself playing and reviewing games, then turn the experience into a blog post and then post a version on your social media account. This helps you capitalize on all the monetization opportunities with this gaming business idea, including ad revenue, sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
The key to making money through game testing and reviews is to give honest reviews that your audience can relate to. You need to build trust, to get them to buy from you or take your gaming recommendations.
Check out some of these gamers making money and building a large following through testing and reviews:
05. Gaming merchandise
Make money as a gamer by designing and selling gaming-related merchandise, either for your brand or related to gaming trends. From hoodies to stickers, t-shirts and more - there are plenty of things you can brand for gamers and sell.
It’s not uncommon for large brands to partner with gamers and games in collaborations for real-life merchandise or in-game objects. Take for example the collaboration between the gamer Ninja (Tyler Blevins) and Adidas for sneakers.
Check out some of the best ecommerce platforms to get started.
06. Coaching and consulting
You can also consider offering coaching services or consulting services to help others improve their gaming skills. These sessions can be focused on teenagers, beginners or those with some gaming experience who want to level up. Make money by offering hourly or package fees, to get buyers to sign up for more classes or offer subscriptions and memberships. This is a great business idea that capitalizes on the growing popularity of online gaming. In 2023 an estimated 3.38 billion people were believed to be participants in online games.
07. Virtual items and skim trading
A creative way for gamers to make money is through buying, selling, or trading virtual items and skins within games. The main way to turn a profit is to sell virtual items for more than you bought them for. Aim for in-demand items or put your skills to good use by winning or finding rare items, to then sell on. Many games also offer in-game auction sites for skims so you can play and make money at the same time.
08. Gaming events and conventions
Another way to make money as a gamer is by organizing or participating in gaming events, expos or conventions. You can work as a brand partner, advertising their games or merchandise. Or you can attend to market your gaming brand and business, or sell your merchandise. This is also an effective way to network and meet other gamers, either for partnerships or just to build relationships.
09. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing works by having you promote products or services for a brand or company by placing affiliate links in your videos, social media content or blogs. When your users click on the link and buy a product or service, you earn a commission previously agreed upon with the brand.
This can be an easy way to make money if you already have a large, engaged audience who trust your recommendations. Make sure to choose reputable affiliate programs, provide genuine recommendations and keep marketing to build a larger audience.
10. Podcasting
If you’re already creating gaming content, it’s a natural step to turn to podcasting as a way to make money as a gamer. You can create a podcast centered around gaming discussions, interviews or gaming tips and strategies. Podcasts can be monetized through sponsorships, ad revenue and listener/viewer contributions. You can also use it to market your gaming channel and merchandise.
How to get started with making money as a gamer
Define your niche
Identify your specific area of interest within the gaming industry before starting your business.
Research market demand and trends to find a niche that aligns with your skills and passion.
Business planning
Develop a business plan outlining your goals, target audience, competition and financial projections.
Consider the legal structure of your gaming business (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation).
Make a website
Use a website builder to start creating a website showcasing your gaming products, services, or content.
If you're looking to sell online, consider making an eCommerce website.
Optimize your website for search engine visibility (SEO) to attract a broader audience.
Marketing
Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes online and offline methods.
Leverage social media platforms relevant to your target audience and participate in online gaming communities.
Pricing and financial accounting
Set up accounting systems to track income and expenses for your gaming business.
Determine your pricing strategy by considering costs, market rates and the perceived value of your offerings.
How to make money as a gamer FAQ
What skills are essential for making money through gaming?
Essential skills include gaming proficiency, content creation, marketing, networking and business management.