How to Start Making Money Playing Video Games

Gaming is no longer just a pastime—it’s a pathway to earning income through creative and technical pursuits. Whether you’re passionate about talking games on air or designing software for your peers, there are diverse ways to build revenue streams while enjoying your favorite hobby.

 Let’s learn how to make money playing video games online.

Top Ways to Make Money by Playing Video Games

If you are not restricted to gaming and open to any avenue in the gaming sector, then the good news is that you can monetise. Get creative, stay motivated, because here are some top ways to make money by playing video games. Try them out below to turn your hobby into a side hustle.

Custom Gaming Merchandise Sales

You can monetise your gaming brand by designing and selling custom apparel and accessories. Platforms like Spocket enable creators to produce items without inventory through print-on-demand services. Popular products include t-shirts featuring game characters, hoodies with team logos, and mugs displaying iconic in-game items.

The process involves:

• Uploading designs directly to the platform
• Setting retail prices with built-in profit margins
• Automating order fulfillment and global shipping

Fans often purchase merchandise to support creators while obtaining tangible connections to their favorite gaming personalities. This approach works particularly well with streaming channels or social media profiles where you showcase the products during broadcasts.

Affiliate Marketing Integration

You can earn commissions by promoting gaming-related products during streams or in video descriptions. Effective strategies include:

• Testing and reviewing hardware like gaming mice (Razer, Logitech)
• Demonstrating ergonomic chairs (Secretlab, DXRacer)
• Showcasing performance-enhancing software (Nvidia GeForce NOW)

Platforms like Amazon Associates provide tracking links that credit sales to your account. Successful affiliates disclose partnerships transparently while demonstrating genuine product use during gameplay sessions.

Mod Development and Asset Creation

Skilled gamers can design modifications (mods) for existing games or create 3D models/textures for sale. The Steam Workshop marketplace allows modders to earn revenue through:

• Premium mod subscriptions
• Donation-based distribution
• Partnership deals with game developers

For example, Skyrim modders have earned over $100,000 through paid modding programs1. Asset creation for game engines (Unity, Unreal) involves producing:

• Character models ($10-$500 per asset)
• Environmental textures ($5-$200 per pack)
• Animation rigs ($50-$1,000 depending on complexity)

Mobile Gaming Applications

Paid mobile apps provide multiple earning avenues:

1. Reward Apps: Mistplay pays users through PayPal for reaching level milestones in featured games.
2. Skill Competitions: WorldWinner hosts cash tournaments for puzzle and card games.
3. Beta Testing: PlaytestCloud compensates testers $10-$50 per hour for providing gameplay feedback.

iOS and Android developers also hire freelance testers through platforms like Testlio and Ubertesters. Rates range from $15-$30/hour, depending on the project scope.

Narrative Design and Scriptwriting

Game studios increasingly hire writers for:

• Dialogue scripting ($0.10-$1 per word)
• Quest design ($500-$5,000 per storyline)
• Lore development (flat fees up to $10,000 for expansive worlds)

Freelance marketplaces like Upwork list regular opportunities for narrative designers, particularly for indie RPGs and visual novels. Building a portfolio through free modding projects can lead to paid contracts with established studios.

Blockchain Gaming Assets

Decentralised platforms enable actual ownership of digital items through NFTs:

• Axie Infinity: Breed and battle fantasy creatures (Axies), selling rare specimens for $50-$10,000+
• The Sandbox: Purchase virtual land parcels ($500-$100,000) for developing interactive experiences
• Sorare: Trade digital soccer player cards with real-world performance tracking

These platforms use cryptocurrency wallets for transactions, requiring an understanding of blockchain fundamentals and market volatility risks. You can make NFTs based on your gaming sessions and sell them online, along with other digital assets.

Indie Game Publishing

Self-publishing through platforms like Steam Direct ($100 submission fee) or Itch.io (revenue share model) allows creators to retain IP rights. Successful cases include:

• Stardew Valley: $24 million revenue from a solo developer
• Among Us: $86 million in 2020 after streamer exposure

Essential steps for indie success:

• Prototype testing via game jams (Ludum Dare)
• Crowdfunding campaigns (Kickstarter average: $28,000 per project)
• Community building through Discord servers and early access programs.

Voice Acting and Sound Design

The growing demand for localised game content creates opportunities for:

• Character voiceovers ($200-$500 per hour of recording)
• Combat sound effects creation ($20-$100 per asset)
• Ambient environment audio design ($50-$150 per minute)

Platforms like Voices.com connect talent with developers needing multilingual support or specific vocal characteristics. Home studio requirements include XLR microphones (Blue Yeti, Shure SM7B) and acoustic treatment panels.

Subscription-Based Streams

Patreon and Ko-fi allow creators to offer tiered subscriptions:

• $3/month: Early video access
• $10/month: Exclusive Discord channels
• $50/month: Personalized coaching sessions

Top gaming creators earn $5,000-$50,000 monthly through 500-5,000 subscribers. Key retention strategies include monthly Q&A streams and subscriber-only game nights.

Participate in Gaming Tournaments

You can earn significant money by competing in gaming tournaments across different titles. Prize pools vary widely based on the game and competition level. For example, the Halo 4 Global Championship offered participants a $200,000 first prize. Similarly, World of Tanks tournaments have featured $300,000 prize pools with $100,000 going to first-place winners.

The Turbo Racing League mobile app competition offered an impressive $1,000,000 prize pool with $250,000 for the champion. Even games you might not expect, like mobile apps based on animated films, can offer substantial rewards.

Joining Esports Organizations

You will find opportunities with established esports teams that generate revenue through multiple channels. These organisations typically build their business model around three primary revenue sources:

• Competitive team participation
• Entertainment content creation
• Merchandise and apparel sales

Each area represents roughly one-third of revenue for major organisations like 100 Thieves. You can join these teams as a player, content creator, or in various support roles.

Game Development and Testing

If you have programming and design skills, you can earn $70,000 annually working with gaming companies to develop new titles. 

Requirements typically include:

• Programming knowledge (C++, C#, Java)
• Understanding of game engines (Unity, Unreal)
• Design and storytelling abilities
• Portfolio of previous work or projects

You can get paid to play pre-release games and identify bugs or issues. Game testing positions include:

• Quality assurance testers
• Beta testers for upcoming titles
• Usability testers for user experience

These positions often serve as entry points into the gaming industry and provide valuable experience.

Gaming Consultation and Coaching

You can offer coaching services to other players looking to improve their skills. This works particularly well for popular competitive games like:

• Fortnite
• League of Legends
• Counter-Strike
• Valorant

Rates vary based on your expertise level and reputation within the community. You can create and sell game guides, strategy books, or online courses teaching advanced techniques for specific games. These digital products provide passive income after the initial creation effort.

Virtual Item Trading and Sales

You can trade valuable virtual items in games with marketplace systems:

• Rare skins and cosmetics
• Limited edition items
• High-level accounts (where permitted by the terms of service)

Games with robust economies include:

• Counter-Strike
• Dota 2
• World of Warcraft
• Roblox

In specific titles, farming and selling in-game currency are allowed. This requires a significant time investment but can generate steady income.

Try Beta Testing Programs

You can join beta testing programs for upcoming games where developers compensate participants for feedback. Companies often provide:

• Early access to new titles
• Gift cards or store credit
• Occasional cash payments

You can participate in gaming focus groups that test new concepts and features. These typically pay higher rates but occur less frequently than other opportunities.

Gaming Content Writing

You can write paid reviews for gaming websites and publications. Established writers earn $50-200 per article, depending on:

• Publication reputation
• Article length
• Writer experience
• Topic complexity

You can create detailed walkthroughs and strategy guides for gaming websites. These typically pay per word or with flat rates for comprehensive guides.

You can review gaming peripherals like:

• Controllers
• Headsets
• Gaming chairs
• Specialised keyboards and mice

Companies often provide free products in exchange for honest reviews, which you can sell after completing the review process.

Gaming Brand Ambassadorships

You can represent gaming companies at events and online as a brand ambassador. These positions typically offer:

• Regular payments or stipends
• Free products and equipment
• Exclusive access to events
• Early access to new releases

The most successful gamers combine multiple income streams rather than focusing on just one method. You should experiment with different approaches based on your skills and interests to find the most profitable path for your situation.

Other Channels You Can Explore

While many gamers concentrate on merchandise or competitive play, a world of lesser-known opportunities taps into creativity and technical skills. Let’s explore several alternative income channels explicitly designed for those who want to capitalise on their passion for video games without relying on standard approaches.

Gaming Podcasting

Start by creating a dedicated audio program that discusses game releases, reviews, and interviews with industry insiders. With a podcast, you can share personal insights and engage with a community that values nuanced discussion about gaming culture. Your podcast can include roundtable debates, deep dives into storytelling, and commentary on game mechanics. You will collect income from sponsorships, listener contributions, and pre-roll advertising. Simple recording setups and free editing software are available, so you need only invest time planning segments and securing advertisements from brands looking for authentic voices in the gaming niche.

Educational Gaming Courses

Another promising option is to teach skills associated with gaming. You can design courses covering advanced game tactics, modding techniques, or even analysing in-game economics. Host these lessons on popular learning platforms or through your website. Curate content that helps beginners improve gameplay or guides enthusiasts through the complexities of a specific genre. You open a revenue stream based on enrollment fees or monthly subscriptions by offering structured video lessons, quizzes, and real-time coaching. This option appeals to learners who prefer interactive, bite-sized courses with clear takeaways, making it easier to package your expertise into sellable material.

Organising Digital Gaming Events

There is a growing market for virtual tournaments and community events that bring together gamers, regardless of their competitive level. Instead of competing, you can focus on planning and hosting these events online. Organise game nights, themed competitions, or casual meetups with vendor presentations and interactive chats. Revenue can come from event entry fees, sponsorship contributions, and even merchandise sales during the live event. A well-organized virtual competition strengthens community bonds and attracts advertisers who wish to reach an audience of engaged players. You must promote your events through social media and gaming forums to build a reliable following over time.

Game Localization and Translation Services

As games reach global audiences, the need for accurate localisation and translation is ever-increasing. If you have multilingual skills, offering services to adapt game text, dialogue, and in-game instructions can be profitable. This area requires attention to cultural nuances and terminology specific to gaming. You supply developers and publishers a valuable resource by providing precise translations and ensuring that humor or context is preserved. Online freelancing platforms or direct outreach to international studios offer ways to market your services. In this role, you set your rates based on word count or project complexity and build a portfolio demonstrating your expertise.

Software Tools and Companion Apps

Develop and sell digital tools to assist fellow gamers in tracking performance, analysing gameplay statistics, or managing in-game inventories. Many players appreciate utilities that provide real-time data or suggest improvements based on past performance. Creating such tools does not require producing a complete game; instead, focus on adding value to popular titles through companion apps or overlay programs. These tools can be offered as one-time purchases or subscriptions through digital marketplaces. You will gather user feedback to refine functionality and release regular updates, ensuring your utility stays relevant as games evolve.

Metaverse Content and Virtual Experience Design

The rise of virtual worlds has spawned an entirely new medium for creativity. Consider crafting virtual environments, staging digital exhibitions, or hosting interactive experiences within metaverse platforms. Designing detailed settings or custom avatars opens opportunities to sell digital assets directly to users. Whether you create artwork, interactive installations, or spatial layouts for events, each item can be marketed on virtual marketplaces. This line of work is appealing if you enjoy merging artistic expression with technology. You may also collaborate with event organisers to create immersive experiences for virtual conventions or meetups, attracting revenue from access fees and bespoke projects.

Crowdsourced Gaming Challenges and Community Engagement

Develop a project where you invite gamers to participate in challenges based on game analytics, puzzles, or creative contests. These challenges can be hosted on your website or through dedicated apps. Participants could pay a small fee to enter, with winners receiving prizes or a share of the collected fees. By fostering a competitive yet friendly environment, you generate engagement and create multiple monetisation paths through entry fees, sponsorships, and advertising spots during live streams of the competitions.

Conclusion

The gaming landscape offers countless avenues for gamers seeking to earn income through their passion. From hosting engaging podcasts to providing tailored educational courses, organising interactive online events, and developing specialised digital tools, there are innovative ways to translate gaming skills into reliable revenue streams. 

With persistent effort and a focus on building authentic connections within your niche, you can cultivate income streams that reflect your love for gaming and enhance your personal growth and professional success.