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Gaming was once seen as just a hobby, a way for people to pass the time as a novelty. However, gaming has evolved massively in the nearly six decades it has existed, and the technology only continues to grow. Gaming has even become a lucrative career choice, with the most skilled at gaming (or at least at presenting themselves) making it their full-time job.  The truth of the matter is, that gaming is now on equal footing with the likes of traditional sports in terms of viewership.

If you are a gamer looking into ways to make income off of your passion, there are several ways you can do so. Do take note, that even if these methods are very fun ways to earn money, you’re still a professional. That means you need to take the job seriously if you want to have a future in the industry. Today, we’ll be talking about some of the best career choices for those looking to make gaming their hobby.

Streamer/LetsPlayer

Streamers and LetsPlayers are content creators who primarily make a living through their viewership or donations from fans. Streamers use platforms like Twitch or YouTube where viewers are allowed to send them monetized messages that get featured on their streams. LetsPlayers often release edited-down versions of their playthroughs, either to guide other players or simply to entertain their fans.

Streamers and Letsplayers are some of the most lucrative ways to make money off of video games, but it is a hotly contested market. It’s important to consider if you pursue this career path your views won’t be instant. A lot of confidence and some marketing know-how is needed. Following mobile gaming trends is a great way to get viewers early, but make sure you’re actually interested in the game you choose to play. Audiences will notice if you aren’t.

Online Marketplaces

Some games, especially competitive multiplayer ones, offer ways for players to sell their skins to other players via an in-game marketplace. Cosmetics are a big thing in multiplayer gaming, and some people have made quite a large amount of money from simply selling skins that they have earned or luckily found while playing the game.

Game/QA Tester

There are two types of testers in the gaming industry, and it’s important to know the difference. Game testers are in the early stages of development, and their job is to try and “break” the game by doing things such as walking into certain walls for a few minutes, jumping into voids, and trying to kill enemies from weird spots, and other stuff like that.

QA testers are there to ensure that the game is ready for release. They are not out to break the game and are instead expected to play the game as it’s meant to be played, and record their experiences while doing so. When you are choosing between one or the other, think carefully about how you’ll want to be spending your time on that job.

Monetized Gaming

Some video games actually offer in-game prizes that can be traded for real-life currency. There may be different laws regarding these types of games where you may be from, so always check those before pursuing this option. Do note that these games are a considerable time sink, and while it’s relatively low effort, it’s more of a side hustle than an actual full-fledged career choice. 

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E-Sports Player

Pro gamers have become more and more renowned in recent years, and for good reason. They have proven that video games also require an immense amount of skill, and should be on par with the likes of chess in terms of reputation and respect. Pro gaming is an arduous road because it is inherently a competitive career path. 

Like sports, you will be practicing day and night for the same game, honing your skills, and crafting game plans if you are in a multiplayer game. If you choose to pursue e-sports, you’ll have to be physically and mentally fit because both are very important in becoming the best gamer you can be. Winning tournaments these days can reach the tens of millions of dollars, depending on the game.

Video Game Content Creator

This is a very broad term that basically covers all non-competitive or let’s play forms of content creation related to video games. Many people have made scholarly videos about the history of specific video games, and others make their living reviewing the latest video games. 

There are also speedrunners, people who seek to complete the game as fast as possible with any means necessary.  Content creation requires a lot of charisma and multimedia skills, but it’s one of the most popular and fulfilling ways to earn money from playing video games. 

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