Do you have a passion for gaming? Maybe you're an ace gamer, and you're looking for ways to cash in on your skillset. Or perhaps you love the gaming world so much, you're craving to quit your day job and get a slice of this $173.7 billion dollar industry. Whatever your reasons, there are legitimate ways you can make money from gaming.
Is it Possible to Get Rich Money Playing Games?
While it's true, some players like Fortnite sensation Tyler "Ninja" Blevins' net worth is over $20 million dollars, this is an exception to the rule. The short answer, if you can make money as a professional video gamer, is yes. However, the more honest answer is that it's unlikely to become a reality. In truth, only 1% of pro gamers crack the million-dollar earning barrier per year.
That isn't to say playing video games for a living isn't out of your reach. In fact, as of 2022, there are almost 300,000 full-time employees in the video gaming industry in the US, and that figure grew 7% over the past five years.
What's important to note about that statistic is that not everyone in the gaming industry is playing games for money. Here are a few alternatives to game playing for money you can pursue that still appeal to your love of games while also making an enviable living.
Video Game Tester
This job puts your skills as a video gamer to the test while still earning you a guaranteed paycheck. As a game tester, you are ensuring that games function properly and are bug-free before they are released on the retail market. You may also review the game instructions and give your opinion about the gaming experience.
The types of games you might test will vary according to the company you are working for. From free games, online games, or video games, you can sample all of these while getting paid. The national average pay for this position is $15.50 per hour at entry-level.
Video Game Designer
Video game designers create storyboards and designs to create new video games and video game concepts. As a designer, you might be asked to brainstorm with a development team to devise new games that are appealing to the market.
As part of a design team, you will develop settings, storylines, and characters. You don't necessarily need a college degree to be a game designer, but most hiring companies do expect a bachelor's degree in computer science. The national average pay for game designers in the US is around $62,000 per year.
Video Game Blogger
If you're a devoted gamer with a passion for keeping up on all the latest video game news and trends, blogging for bucks in the gaming industry might be a perfect career fit for you. You don't need a degree, and startup costs to build a video game blog can be impressively inexpensive. To start, all you need is a reliable and secure WordPress host to ensure your blog is protected from hackers and runs smoothly. Additionally, you'll need the motivation to write lots of high-quality posts that serve value to your visitors.
That said, you can make a living from a video game blog by selling cheats, guides, and getting paid for reviewing games. You can also make money through advertising and affiliate links. There are still more ways to cash in on game blogging, and it could be very lucrative. On average, bloggers make anywhere from $15,000 - $30,000 per year. That figure can be significantly higher the more traffic and viewers you have visiting your blog and how you choose to monetize.
Market Research Analyst
This career allows you to explore the gaming market and determine what's hot, and what's not. Through consumer research and market analysis, you will identify gaming trends that will predict smart marketing strategies for the video game company you are working for.
As a marketing research analyst, you will likely work with a marketing manager or team to develop campaigns that result in profitable sales of video games. This position usually requires a bachelor's degree in business or equitable work experience. The national average salary for this position is around $63,000.
The Last Word on Making Money in the Video Game Industry
These are just a few suggestions on how you can make money and still enjoy your love for video games. There are still many other opportunities you can explore in the video game industry that pays well and satisfy the gamer within you. So, if playing video games for a living seems a little out of reach for you, there are still many other jobs and careers available in the gaming world.
