Making money by playing video games may sound like a dream come true for gamers, but it’s a very real and viable way to make some extra cash.
Since 2010, the gaming industry has grown exponentially, and with it, the number of people making a living from playing games has increased as well.
There are a few different ways that people can make money from playing games. They can either become professional gamers and compete in tournaments for prize money, and much more. In this article, we’ll explore the 50 greatest ways to make money playing games.
1. Make Money Playing Games by Competing in Tournaments for Prize Money
Competing in tournaments is one way to make money playing video games. Some of the most popular tournaments include Major League Gaming (MLG) events, the Evolution Championship Series (EVO), and the World Cyber Games.
The Evolution Championship Series (EVO)
The Evolution Championship Series, or EVO, is the world’s largest and longest-running fighting game tournament. It takes place every year in Las Vegas, Nevada, and features some of the best players from all over the world competing in games like Street Fighter, Tekken, and Super Smash Bros.
While the prize money up for grabs at EVO is nothing to scoff at – with a recent year’s event giving out over $250,000 in total – it’s the prestige and glory of being crowned the best in the world that draws in the top players.
If you think you have what it takes to compete at EVO, then there’s no reason not to give it a shot. The tournament is open to anyone who wants to enter, and you can sign up online.
Just be aware that the competition is incredibly fierce, and you’ll need to put in a lot of hours of practice if you want to have any chance of coming out on top.
World Cyber Games
The World Cyber Games (WCG) is another major international gaming tournament, though it’s more focused on console and PC games than fighting games. It was founded in 2000 to promote global harmony through e-sports and has since grown to become one of the most respected gaming competitions in the world.
The WCG features a wide variety of games, with the lineup changing each year to keep things fresh. Some of the most popular titles in recent years have included League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and StarCraft II.
As with EVO, anyone can sign up to compete in the WCG, though the competition is again stiff. If you’re serious about making a run at the title, you’ll need to start practicing early and put in the hours to hone your skills.
Major League Gaming (MLG)
If you’re more interested in console gaming, then the Major League Gaming (MLG) circuit is probably more up your alley. It’s the largest professional console gaming league in the world, with events taking place all over the United States.
MLG features competitions in a variety of popular console games, such as Halo 5, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, and Mortal Kombat X. The prize money up for grabs isn’t as large as what’s on offer at the EVO or WCG, but it’s still a respectable amount – with the top prize in a recent Halo 5 tournament being $50,000.
As with the other tournaments on this list, anyone can sign up to compete in the MLG. However, the competition is once again incredibly fierce, so you’ll need to be at the top of your game if you want to have any chance of winning.
2. Make Money Playing Games by Streaming Your Gameplay on Services Like Twitch
If you’re not interested in competing in tournaments, then another option is to stream your gameplay on services like Twitch. Twitch is a live streaming platform that’s primarily used for gaming, but can also be used for other things like creating content, music, and more.
It’s one of the most popular websites in the world, with over 100 million unique visitors per month. And while not everyone who uses Twitch is a professional gamer, there are plenty of people who make a living from streaming their gameplay.
If you’re interested in making money from Twitch, then the first thing you need to do is create a channel. This is where you’ll host your live streams and recorded videos. Once you have a channel set up, you can start streaming your gameplay.
Viewers will be able to donate money to you if they enjoy your content, and you can also make money from advertisements that are played during your streams. The amount of money you can make from Twitch depends on a variety of factors, such as how many viewers you have and how often you stream.
3. Give Gaming Lessons or Tutorials
Another option for making money from gaming is to give lessons or tutorials. This is a great option if you’re particularly skilled at a certain game or genre of games.
There are a few different ways you can go about giving lessons. You can do it in person, by setting up appointments with students and teaching them in person. You can also do it online, by setting up a Skype call or using a service like Google Hangouts.
The amount of money you can charge for lessons depends on a few factors, such as your location, the length of the lesson, and your experience. Generally speaking, you should be able to charge anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour.
4. Sell Merchandise Related to Your Favorite Games
If you’re a gaming fan, there’s a good chance you have some favorite games that you love to play. And what better way to make money playing games than by selling merchandise related to those games?
There are a few different ways you can go about selling gaming merchandise. You can set up an online store, for example, or sell items at conventions and other events. You can also create your own line of gaming-themed clothing, accessories, and other items.
If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at some of the popular gaming merchandise brands out there and see what they’re doing. You can also check out sites like Etsy, where there are plenty of independent sellers selling gaming-related items.
5. Make Money Playing Games by Reviewing Video Games for Sites or YouTube Channels
If you’re a gaming fan, there’s a good chance you have some strong opinions on the games you play. And what better way to make money playing games than by sharing those opinions with the world?
To start reviewing video games, here’s what you can do:
- Find a niche: First, you need to find a niche. There are lots of different types of games out there, so you’ll need to narrow down your focus to a specific genre or type of game. For example, you could focus on mobile games, console games, or PC games.
- Choose a platform: Once you’ve chosen a niche, you need to decide which platform you’re going to use to share your reviews. There are lots of different options here, but some of the most popular include YouTube, Twitch, and blogging platforms like WordPress.
- Create content: Finally, it’s time to start creating content. When creating your reviews, make sure to be clear and concise. Also, try to add your own personal touch to each review to make it unique.
6. Make Money Playing Games by Creating Let’s Play Videos on YouTube
If you’re not familiar with the term, “Let’s Play” videos are videos where people play through a video game and provide commentary as they go.
Let’s Play videos can be a great way to make money playing games, as they’re relatively easy to produce and can be very entertaining to watch.
Here’s how you can start making Let’s Play videos:
- Pick a game: First, you need to choose a game that you want to play. It’s important to pick a game that you’re familiar with and that you enjoy playing. This will make it more enjoyable for you to produce the videos, and it will also make them more entertaining for your viewers.
- Create a schedule: Once you’ve chosen a game, you need to create a schedule for your videos. Decide how often you want to release new videos and stick to them. This will help keep your viewers coming back for more.
- Edit your videos: After you’ve recorded your videos, it’s time to edit them. Again, you don’t need to be a professional here, but try to make your videos well-paced and entertaining.
Swagbucks
If you’re looking for another way to make money from playing games, Swagbucks might be a good option for you. Swagbucks is a website where you can earn points (called “Swagbucks”) by completing different tasks, including watching videos, taking surveys, and shopping online.
To start earning Swagbucks, simply create an account and start completing tasks. The tasks you’re able to complete will depend on your location, but in most cases, there should be plenty of options available.
Once you’ve earned enough Swagbucks, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash. And while you likely won’t get rich from Swagbucks, it is a great way to make a little extra money from playing games.
InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another website where you can earn cash for completing different tasks, including playing games.
Similar to Swagbucks, InboxDollars offers a variety of tasks that you can complete to earn money. These tasks include taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online.
To start earning money with InboxDollars, simply create an account and start completing tasks. Once you’ve earned enough money, you can cash out through PayPal or a variety of other options.
While InboxDollars isn’t going to make you rich, it is a great way to earn a little extra cash from playing games.
MyPoints
MyPoints is another cash-back website where you can earn points for completing different tasks, including playing games.
To start earning points with MyPoints, simply create an account and start completing tasks. Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash.
Playandearn
Playandearn.com is a site that provides different types of games and you can select any one of them to play. You can also find many online gaming sites, but this one is different from the rest.
The best thing about Playandearn is that you don’t have to pay anything to play the games. You can play for free and if you win, then you will get prize money.
There are different types of games available on this site. You can select any one of them according to your interest and start playing it. The games are divided into different categories like action, puzzle, racing, etc. so that you can easily select the game of your choice.
Second Life
Second life is an online game that allows you to create a virtual world in which you can interact with other players. You can also earn money in Second Life by creating and selling items, or by providing services to other players.
To get started, you’ll need to create an avatar, or character, which you can do for free. Once you’ve created your avatar, you’ll be able to explore the virtual world and start interacting with other players. If you’re interested in making money, you can do so by selling items or services to other players.
For example, you could sell clothes that you design, or offer a service such as home decoration. You can also take part in Second Life’s virtual economy by buying and selling land, or investing in companies.
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) in which players can create their characters and explore a virtual world. WoW Gold is the currency used in the game, and players can earn it by completing quests, killing monsters, and selling items to other players.
If you’re interested in making money in World of Warcraft, the best way to do so is to complete quests and sell items to other players. You can also farm WoW Gold by killing monsters and selling the loot to other players.
EVE Online
EVE Online is a space-themed MMORPG in which players can pilot their spaceships and explore the galaxy. The game has its own currency, called ISK, which players can earn by trading goods and services with other players, or by completing missions.
If you want to make money in EVE Online, the best way to do so is to trade goods and services with other players. You can also earn ISK by completing missions, or by participating in EVE Online’s player-driven economy.
7. Make Money Playing Games by Selling In-Game Items or Currency
One of the most popular ways to make money playing video games is to sell in-game items or currency. This can be done by either trading with other players, or by selling to online businesses that buy and sell game items.
Online Businesses That Buy and Sell Game Items
There are a few online businesses that buy and sell game items; we’ve listed them below.
- Goldah.com: Goldah is a website that buys and sells game items, including in-game currency, weapons, and armor.
- PlayerAuctions.com: PlayerAuctions is a website that allows players to buy and sell game items and currency.
- Gameflip.com: Gameflip is a website where gamers can buy and sell digital goods, including game items and currency.
- Mmoga.com: MMOGA is a website that sells game items and currency, as well as game keys and other digital goods.
If you’re interested in selling in-game items, the best way to do so is to find a reputable online business that buys and sells game items. You can also find many online businesses that deal with in-game currency, so if you’re interested in selling game currency, you should check out these businesses.
8. Make Money Playing Games by Participating in Online Gaming Communities
Another great way to make money playing video games is to participate in online gaming communities. These communities are usually based around specific games, and they allow gamers to interact with each other, share tips and tricks, and compete against each other.
There are a few online gaming communities that you can join; we’ve listed some of them below.
- Gamebattles.com: Gamebattles is a website that allows gamers to compete against each other in online tournaments.
- Minecraftforum.net: The Minecraft Forum is a website where Minecraft players can share tips, tricks, and mods.
- Leagueoflegends.com: The League of Legends community is a website where League of Legends players can interact with each other, share tips and tricks, and compete against each other.
If you’re interested in joining an online gaming community, the best way to do so is to find a community that is based around a game that you’re interested in. Once you’ve found a community, you can participate in discussions, share tips and tricks, and compete against other members.
9. Beta Test New Video Games
Another great way to make money playing video games is to beta test new video games. Beta testers are people who test new video games before they are released to the public. They play the game and report any bugs or glitches that they find.
If you’re interested in becoming a beta tester, the best way to do so is to contact a video game company and ask if they are hiring beta testers. You can also look for beta testing jobs on job boards or freelance websites.
10. Write About Video Games for Sites or Blogs
If you’re a video game enthusiast, you can make money by writing about video games for sites or blogs. Many websites and blogs need content, and they are always looking for new writers.
If you’re interested in writing about video games, the best way to do so is to find a site or blog that is looking for new writers. You can also look for writing jobs on job boards or freelance websites.
11. Make Money Playing Games by Making Walkthrough Videos for Popular Games
Making walkthrough videos for popular games can be a great way to make money. If you’re good at playing video games and explaining how to beat them, then making walkthrough videos could be a great way for you to make some extra cash.
There are a few things that you’ll need to do to make walkthrough videos:
- Record yourself playing the game. You can use a screen recording program like OBS or XSplit to record your gameplay.
- Edit your gameplay footage. Once you have your gameplay footage, you’ll need to edit it to make it look good. You can use a video editing program like Adobe Premiere Pro or Sony Vegas Pro to edit your footage.
- Upload your videos to YouTube. Once your videos are edited, you can upload them to YouTube. Make sure to include descriptive titles and tags so that people can find your videos.
Once you’ve uploaded your videos, you can then earn money from them by monetizing your channel with ads. You can also earn money by selling products or services through your channel, or by becoming a YouTube partner.
Key Takeaway
So there you have it – 13 different ways to make money from playing games. As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities for gamers to make some extra cash. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and start earning!