Playing games online is one of the most beloved pastime hobbies for many people and they spend a significant portion of their week playing games. However, what is not known by the vast majority is that they can leverage this hobby of theirs and turn it into a side hustle that earns them that extra cash.

Depending on your level of expertise, along with the time and effort you’re willing to spend you can even turn this into your primary income source.

Given how online gaming and e-sports have exploded in popularity over the last decade, they’ve transitioned from being an exclusive hobby for a small, dedicated niche to becoming a massive industry. This industry is now raking in billions in revenue for game developers and tournament organizers, and paying out millions to the superstars of the most popular titles in the competitive scene.

Like we said earlier, if you have a little talent and a lot of good luck on your side, you could find yourself tapping into that sweet, sweet digital goldmine in no time. Here is a simple step-by-step guide that will help you start making a little—or a lot—of money for yourself.

Is It Possible to Really Make Money From Online Gaming?

The gaming industry has experienced growth in years emerging as one of the most profitable sectors in the entertainment realm. By 2023 it is estimated that the global video game market will exceed $180 billion in value surpassing the combined worth of the movie and music industries. This thriving market not only reflects the adoration for gaming but also emphasizes the immense potential for financial success, within this field.

How Much Can You Earn Through Online Gaming

• Esports Stars: The best gamers in esports could earn millions of dollars. However, not everyone gets to make this much. There are many players who make much less, especially when they are new.

• Streaming and Making Videos: If you like sharing your gaming sessions by streaming live or by making videos, you can make money through the advertisements that you show, and the number of people who subscribe to your channel for experiencing your videos. You also get paid by the fans who donate because they love what you do. The most popular gamers on platforms like YouTube and Twitch can make more than a million dollars within a year. But to become this successful take a lot of hard work, commitment and the new streamers would not get this much of a pay.

• Testing Games: Before the games come out, they have to be played and checked by testers so that everything can be ensured to work well. The game testers are paid around $10 to $15 per hour. As they get more experienced, they make more.

• Writing Guides or Making Tutorials: Some gamers make money by writing and publishing written journals on how to improve oneself in a game, or by making tutorial guides for other people to improve. They make a few hundred bucks within a month and sometimes thousands of bucks based on the popularity of their guides.

Things to take into Consideration Before you Start Online Gaming and E-Sports

First, you’ll need to decide exactly where you’re going to invest your time and effort. This might seem obvious, but I’m talking about making a real decision. Consider not just the games or genres you enjoy but also which Twitch and YouTube personalities you’d like to emulate, the opportunities available from game developers and tournament organizers, and whether you and your friends have what it takes to dominate for a couple of seasons.

Decide if you want to join the ranks of documented superstars in Blizzard’s Overwatch or Riot Games’ League of Legends, or if you’d prefer to remain relatively anonymous, playing poker in the cool comfort of your air-conditioned home at any time of day or night—until, perhaps, you become a world champion. Choosing the right game is crucial to ensuring this endeavor is profitable for you.

Getting The Right Gear and Equipment for Online Gaming – If you want to turn E-sports into your primary source of income

This is for those who are serious about turning online gaming into their main source of income.

The first thing you’ll need to do is assemble your broadcasting gear for streaming from your home. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to carefully consider what exactly you’ll be doing. The gear required for casual gaming, such as playing poker or engaging in popular titles like Overwatch, Call of Duty, or Fortnite, differs from what you’ll need if you’re aiming to become a professional esports athlete. For casual play, standard gaming and streaming equipment will be enough.

However, if you’re competing at a higher level, you’ll need a more advanced setup, possibly beyond what you initially thought you could afford. You will need:

•Cameras

•Lights

•Microphones

•Broadcasting software

•Live streaming

•A subscription service with either Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus,

•Console

•Capture cards/s

•Headphones

•Monitor/s

Finding Sponsors For Investment

But you don’t have to worry – the investment in the gaming career is not all about spending all your savings on your biggest dream. There are currently many sponsors that are willing to provide you with the tools of trade, but first, you must demonstrate your skills through some quality videos. Just like any profession, it is important to consider not just how you spend your money but also how you earn it. Look out and secure sponsorships that are worthwhile, meaning they offer a return on your time and effort, and that you can highlight in your broadcasts.

To have a real chance of earning money, you will need to regularly garner sizable viewership. Aim for a steady audience of 20,000 to 50,000 views committed to your gaming content. Whether pledging their loyalty to your channel, following your gaming journey, or simply being a casual viewer who is still enjoying your gameplay (a scenario relatable to poker fans), having a good viewer base is really essential.

In 2016, esports TV coverage attracted about 160 million viewers, and this figure has been rising rapidly, both online and offline. Esports was predicted to have more than half of the US population fans by 2020. Imagine leveraging just a fraction of that audience by featuring them prominently in your video tags and titles.

Consider outsourcing certain tasks. A production manager can streamline your workflow, especially if you’re not familiar with broadcasting software or if you’re using a platform like Mac or Android. Including a producer and video editor in your team can also professionalize your content production.

Remember, a significant portion of the gaming industry’s revenue comes from advertising. If you’re aiming to earn through streaming, having an appealing “landing gear” for potential sponsors and viewers is crucial. Essentially, you want to become a brand that both viewers and sponsors recognize and trust.

Ways Through Which You Can Earn Money from Online Gaming

Now let’s look at some ways through which you can make money through online gaming

1.Streaming and Content Creation – Online Gaming

One of the most common and popular ways to start online gaming is through streaming and creating content.

Here is a list of steps to kickstart your online gaming endeavors:

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

Decide if it is Twitch, YouTube Gaming, or Facebook Gaming that is more suitable to your goals and style. Each has its nuances:

• Twitch is the go-to platform for gaming communities with features aimed at interaction.
• YouTube Gaming naturally takes advantage of this huge audience, in addition to more elaborate video-on-demand possibilities.
• Facebook Gaming is well integrated into your social life, with which you could feel comfortable communicating, since it allows more fluid interaction with your friends and family.

Step 2: Set Up Your Streaming Environment

Equip yourself well; it goes without saying that the webcam, microphone, and an environmentally stable internet connection are prerequisites. Also, consider the scene, lighting, as well as visibility; after all, you must be visible and ensure the atmosphere is interesting.

Step 3: Start Creating Content

Start streaming your favorite and easily-played games. Plan your sessions, so your streaming becomes something constant that you can sustain in the long run. Interact with your viewers; respond to comments and suggestions to create a more relaxed atmosphere.

Step 4: Develop Your Community

The growth of your community mainly depends on your social media platforms and gaming forums. You also realize what other streamers can help you with. As your community gets bigger, so does the earning power, whether that’s in ads, subscriptions, or donations.

Step 5: Earn Money on Your Channel (Monetization)

Once you adhere to these guidelines for each platform, then it is possible to start making money:

Twitch: First, sign up for their Affiliate Program. Later, you can set your sights on the Partner Program with more benefits.

YouTube: Later, when you meet their requirements, turn on money-making options with the Partner Program.

Facebook Gaming: Earn through joining the Level Up Program.

For Example:

Let’s talk about Tyler “Ninja” Blevins. He was pretty big in the streaming scene because he played “Fortnite” so well on Twitch. He played with lots of energy and talked a lot with his viewers. Thanks to his hard work, lots of people know him in the gaming world. He got deals with companies, sold his own branded stuff, and even streamed on Mixer for a while before going back to Twitch.

2. Competing in Esports – Online Gaming

Getting Into Esports (Online Gaming)

Esports has changed gaming from just something you do at home to a big-time sport that people love to watch, just like football or basketball. Now, there are pro teams and big competitions. If you’re really good at games like “League of Legends,” “Fortnite,” or “Counter-Strike,” you could join these tournaments. Winning or just doing well can get you cash prizes and deals with companies who want you to promote their stuff.

How It Works

Join a Team: Lots of esports players start by joining a team. This could be with friends or by trying out for more established teams looking for new talent.

Enter Tournaments: Once you’re part of a team, or even solo, you can sign up for tournaments. Some are local, but the big ones are international and have huge audiences.

Practice Makes Perfect: The best esports players spend a lot of time practicing. They learn every part of the game to get better.

Win Prizes and Get Noticed: Doing well in tournaments can win you money and attract sponsors. They might pay you to use their gaming gear or wear their brand during competitions.

Real-Life Example: An Esports Star

Think about players like Faker from “League of Legends.” He started just like anyone else but worked hard, got really good, and now he’s won world championships and is sponsored by big brands. He’s a superstar in the world of esports, and people from all over watch him play.

In Simple Words

Esports is like the big leagues for gaming. If you’re super into gaming and think you’re good, you might have what it takes to compete and maybe even win big. It’s all about

• Practicing
• Joining the right team
• Showing what you’ve got in tournaments.

3. Game Testing— Online Gaming

Be a Detective for Video Games

Game testing is the holy grail of being a detective for video games. When gaming companies create new games, before they can lay them on the shelf, the companies in question need to get a number of people to play them and look for any problems. You, as a game tester, are going to get to play those newly released games before anyone has a chance to get a look at them and give your two cents. This is your job to help make the game better by finding anything that doesn’t work.

What You Do

Play New Games: You’re going to spend your days trying out games that are coming out soon but aren’t yet. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?

Spot the Glitches: Your main job is going to be finding bugs or glitches in this game. It could be that the game crashes, or it might be spelling mistakes.

Give Feedback: You are going to tell the game creators your opinion of the game. Do you like it? Is it too hard? They really do want to know.

Help Fix Problems: You report to the team the bugs and problems that you find in the game to get it fixed before it can be released to the public.

How to Begin

Know Games: You might need to be a little bit smart about what kinds of games are good and what kinds aren’t.

Gain the Right Skills: In some cases, knowing how games are made or writing reports could be an advantage.

Find a Job:  You can look for game testing jobs online. Some might let you work from home.

Real Example: A Day in the Life

Imagine now being able to play this new adventure game and finding a spot where the character gets stuck in a wall; reporting it. Your feedback then goes through to the people who are making the game, and they fix it. Your report fixes the problem before everyone else gets a chance to see it.

Simply Put

Game testing is a way to get paid for playing games. This can only be done before they’re even sold to everyone, which means that you have to be perceptive about tiny details and then tell the game makers about them. It’s an awesome way to be part of making video games and see your feedback actually make a difference.

4. Become a Game Guides Guru- Online Gaming

If you’re the type of gamer who is so intimately wrapped up in the intricacies of games and loves to explore every conceivable nook and cranny and devise every imaginable strategy and secret, you just might be into creating gaming:

• Guides
• walkthroughs
• And tutorials.

Sharing your gaming know-how not only provides assistance to other players but also brings in some cash. This way you can make money from online gaming by simply playing games and recording them.

How to Do It

Get Your Killer Instinct Right: First up, you really need to know games. For instance, this is stuff like figuring out how to:

• Beat hard sections of the game
• Uncover hidden stuff
• Or even teach new gamers the basics.

Helpful Content: Begin creating guides, and videos on how to beat the most challenging parts of the game or even uncover hidden items, or reveal many other playing techniques.

Choose Your Platform: The platform could be making articles for a website, initiating a blog, or making videos for YouTube. Each platform has its way to make money, like ads or subscription by followers.

Share Your Expertise: Once the content is good, it’s ready. Release it via social media or gaming communities.

How to Earn Money

Advertisements: If you post on YouTube or run a blog, you can earn money through ads. More views or readers, more money you make.

Subscriptions and Donations: In all kinds of platforms, your most dedicated fans can even support you directly through their monthly payments, as on Patreon. Some gamers are also given the opportunity to accept donations through PayPal or such platforms.

Affiliate Marketing: You can also promote certain games or even gaming gear through your content and earn a commission with each sale made via your links.

Real-Life Success

Gamers like Powerpyx or TheRadBrad, having garnered huge followings through the posting of thorough guides and Let’s Plays, which show them working deeply into games, providing a lot of tips and secrets that have help for a lot of gamers around the world and at the same time helping them earn money from their content.

In Simple Terms

Creating game guides and tutorials is a cool way to turn your gaming skills into useful content other players will love. From “Dark Souls” master to unraveling all the easter eggs in “GTA,” there’s space for you to share your knowledge and make some money while you’re at it. It’s all about finding your niche, creating great content, and getting it out there.

5. Playing Games on Sites(Swagbucks, Mistplay) – Online Gaming

There are websites and apps out there that actually pay you for playing video games that you enjoy in your free time. It’s like turning your gaming hobby into a mini-job that gives you extra spending money or gift cards.

How It Works

• Sign Up: First you need to find a trustable gaming reward site or app and create an account.
• Play Games: Choose from a variety of games to play directly on the site or through the app.
• Earn Rewards: As you play, you’ll rack up points or coins that can be exchanged for
• cash
• gift cards
• Other prizes.

Tips to find the best reward sites for online gaming

Tips for Success

• Select the Right Platforms: Not all gaming reward sites are created equal. Do a bit of research to find the ones that pays the most and the games you that think you’ll enjoy the most.
• Be Consistent: The more you are going to play the more money you will earn. So, you need to pick a time where you will play games each day, so that you can make more money.
• Watch for Bonuses: Many sites give you bonus points for:
• Doing daily logins
• For completing certain challenges
• Achievements within the games.

Real-Life Example

Imagine you’ve got a bit of free time and decide to play some puzzle games on a rewards site like Swagbucks or Mistplay. As you clear levels and complete challenges, you will earn points that can later be turned into an Amazon gift card. In simple words your gaming skills have earned you a free shopping spree.

Bottom-line of Online Gaming

To sum it up whether you are doing this for

You have a chance to turn your online gaming into more than just a hobby.  As you could even find yourself making money from your love of online gaming.

So, to wrap it up all you need is a concoction of three ingredients: some commitment, creativity, and maybe a little bit of luck.

FAQ: Making Money Through Online Gaming

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