Are you a gamer or gaming enthusiast and looking to play and earn real money? Then you are in the right place! As a gamer, you can leverage your skills and expertise in a variety of ways. You can even make big bucks by playing part-time or making this your full-time occupation. So, let’s learn about how you can make money by playing games.
What are the Different Types of Online Games?
Here are some of the various game genres where you can get paid to play games:
- Casino games
- Micro games
- Word games
- Task-based games
- Shooting games
- Fighting games
- Arcade games
- Survival games
- Strategy games
- Word games
- Poker and card games
- Slot games, and more.
In order to make money online games, you need to choose the right gaming apps or platforms. This can help you earn real cash as well as a variety of rewards including game points, cashbacks, deals, or vouchers, among others.
How to Earn Money by Gaming?
The amount of money you can earn from online gaming depends on your skills, expertise, as well as luck. As per recent statistics of 2023, professional gamers who participate in live streams and have sponsors are making INR 6 to 12 lakhs per annum. You can also earn on an hourly or per-game basis.
However, if you are a non-professional, you can still generate income through the aid of online video games. There are a variety of apps that pay you to play games. These games can be in the form of puzzles, tasks, casinos, and word games, among others. You only need a smartphone and a stable internet connection to use these money gaming apps.
Different Methods to Earn Real Money Playing Games
The demand for online games has only increased in recent years. From students to professionals, everyone likes to play games. According to the Economic Times, the Indian gaming industry is estimated to reach 3.9 billion dollars by 2035.
Check out some of the efficient ways to leverage video games to generate additional income:
- Online Gaming Apps
One of the most popular ways to earn money is by playing games using different online apps. These apps allow you to play a variety of games like poker, ludo, carrom, and word games, among others. You can earn by playing games and winning money, points, or other rewards.
A popular task-based application is FreeHit where you can complete instruction-based tasks to earn money. You can also use Paytm First Games, Junglee Rummy, and Solitaire Club to play and earn. Indulge in reward apps like Swagbucks and InboxDollars where you can make money by signing up and playing online games.
- Twitch Streamer
If you are an active gamer, you can leverage the Twitch platform to stream your online games. This platform is similar to Facebook or YouTube but mainly focuses on video games. If you have a minimum follower base of 50, you can become a Twitch Partner which allows you to monetize your channel. Apart from this criteria, you must upload at least 500 minutes of streaming and have three concurrent viewers. You also need to broadcast for a minimum of seven days.
Once you become a Twitch Partner, you can film yourself playing gamings to make money. To increase your earning opportunities, you need to get more subscribers and viewers. Be consistent in your streaming and post engaging content to do so. You can also earn through donations from your subscribers, sponsorships, as well as by displaying ads.
- Gaming Tournaments
In gaming tournaments you can play a variety of games and popular games have a significant prize pool. The Indian eSports industry is thriving where professional gamers can earn up to INR 1.5 to 2 lakhs monthly. So, if you are a talented player, you can join an eSports organization to compete in national and international tournaments.
To participate in gaming tournaments, you need to become an expert in your gaming niche. Put your 100% effort into preparing yourself for these tournaments and increase your chances of winning. Alternatively, you can start by participating in entry-level tournaments, engaging in consistent practice, and building a network of professional gamers.
- Game Tester
Before video games are released, they undergo different phases of development. Developers hire outside experts to play their games and gain fresh perspectives. Based on the feedback, the developers implement necessary modifications to improve the game before its launch. You can become a tester to check the quality of the game and engage in detecting bugs or other issues in the game.
Being a game tester is not challenging work, however, the pay might be less at the beginning of your career. As you gain experience, you can significantly increase your pricing and elevate your earning scope.
As a tester, you need to perform matrix testing to test all characters of the game in a single sitting. Assess the games for their usability and functional aspects. You also need to have an analytical mindset and a detail-oriented individual to identify and document bugs or glitches. If you are a beginner, you can use online websites to apply for tester jobs.
- Sell Game Guides and Tutorials
All new gamers rely on game guides to understand the basics of the game. For example, multiplayer versus player or PVP guides help newcomers understand how the game works and their role. Creating gaming guides or tutorials is a great way to earn money. However, you need substantial knowledge and expertise to create these guides.
So, if you enjoy writing or making videos as well as playing games, you can make quality guides. To ensure your guides are successful, you need to conduct in-depth research so that you can explain the game in a clear and precise manner.
Publish your guides in your blog, ebook, or online marketplaces to generate income. You can also sell advertising space in your guide or partner with companies that sell gaming products. Alternatively, you can create video guides and monetize them through online platforms like YouTube.
- Game Affiliate Marketer
Becoming a game affiliate marketer is one of the easiest ways to make money online. You don’t have to invest anything and earn by promoting the game to your network. To make a steady income, you need to share the affiliate link to your website, social media platform, or other relevant sites.
Now, every time a user uses your link to download the gaming app or make a purchase, you earn a commission for that sale or lead. A variety of popular gaming companies like Rummy Circle, GameFly, and Twitch, among others provide affiliate services. You simply need to sign up for the affiliate marketing programs of the different gaming apps to get started.
Being a game affiliate marketer helps you earn a steady passive income. Moreover, these have low barriers to entry due to which you can easily sign up and share the affiliate links with your network without facing any competition. Choose your niche and find affiliate programs that work best for you.
- Video Game Reviewer
If you love video games and discuss them, you can become a game reviewer. Combine your gaming and writing skills to generate income from your hobby. You can become a freelance game reviewer or even get a full-time opportunity.
If you are just starting out, it is recommended to start an online video game review blog. Here, you can share your thoughts about the different games you played or which games you are highly anticipating. Cover the latest industry news and trends and keep the content engaging for your audience.
Monetize your blog or sell ad space in your blog to increase your income. Additionally, as your blog grows, you can start pitching your review ideas to magazines or newspapers and get paid for writing reviews.
- YouTube Streaming
YouTube also provides you with the opportunity to stream live games or record and upload your gaming videos. You can use these videos to generate views and likes to earn money. To start leveraging YouTube for your money-making journey, you need to have 1000 subscribers. Plus, you need to abide by the platform’s guidelines to ensure your videos are not taken down.
If you meet the YouTube criteria, you can start by signing up for the YouTube Partner Program. This allows you to monetize your channel where you can reach out to a vast audience. Apart from streaming on this platform, you can also earn money through paid sponsorships, ads, donations, and more.
- Gaming Influencer
Like Twitch and YouTube, you can also earn money play games by utilizing your social media platforms. To use your social media, you need to implement relevant strategies to increase your follower base. Here, you can generate income by sharing content about video games online.
Apart from showcasing your skills, you can share tips and tricks on how to play video games. Focus on trending games and highlight the strategies that can help gamers win them. Partner up with different brands to promote their games or products. You can also reach out to different brands and pitch your game marketing services to elevate your earnings.
- Design Video Games
Are you interested in designing games? If yes, then it’s a great way to earn money. If you have the technical skills to create an app or website, you can utilize them to create gaming apps and launch them on app stores. You get an added advantage if you are a gamer as well as you can abide by industry trends and create a game that will be loved by the masses.
After you develop the game, you can launch it on different app stores and platforms to build an audience. Gradually, you can include in-app purchases or ads from where you can generate income. Think about the monetization strategies that work best for your app. You can also create completely paid games and earn money on a subscription basis or every time someone purchases your game.
- Video Game Coach
As an experienced gamer, utilize your knowledge and expertise to work as a gaming coach. You can easily balance your other work and elevate your money earning potential. Advertise your skills in different platforms like Fiverr and charge based on the complexity of the games.
To start your career as a game coach, you need to possess a significant understanding of the game you are teaching and a few years of experience under your belt. You can select a particular gaming niche and teach newbie or pro gamers who want to participate in major tournaments. Teach multiple players or teams to gradually increase your income stream.
- Sell Gaming Merchandise
You can make significant income by selling gaming merchandise. If you are a part of the gaming community, you can easily identify the demands of which merchandise are high. Select popular niches and align customer requirements to create merchandise that would actually sell.
Start by selling t-shirts related to gaming. You can create your own unique design or hire designers to create them. Make sure you are not plagiarizing or copying designs from that internet as that can lead to legal issues. To avoid these issues, simply create your own design and to create new product designs.
You can also start selling cups, mugs, jewelry, clothes and action-figures based on the games and their characters. Promote your merch on social media channels and your website so that it reaches a wide range of audiences. You can start earning profits once your shop gains popularity.
- Host Gaming Podcast
A gaming podcast is a fun way to generate revenue. You can utilize your passion for gaming to talk about diverse games. Create your own podcasts or appear as guests on other gaming podcasts. You can also collaborate with other individuals once you have a significant follower base.
You can create daily, weekly, or monthly podcasts about gaming. You can create different categories like discussion, interviews with pro players, anticipated games, and more. Monetize your platform with sponsorships and ads and make sure to keep your content engaging. Channel your personality to create fun and quality podcasts to get started.
- Create and Sell NFT
NFTs are non-fungible tokens and they exist on Blockchain which is a digitally distributed public ledger that records transactions. You can create an NFT by minting digital objects representing tangible and intangible assets such as videos, virtual avatars, and sports highlights.
If you know graphic design, you can create simple graphics and sell them as NFTs. Moreover, if you are in an NFT game, you can claim ownership of the game assets by creating a new character, unlocking or earning new items, or purchasing digital game items. Once you claim ownership, you can distribute or sell these items.
- Get an eSports Scholarship
If you are wondering “How do gamers get scholarships?”, then your answer lies in the eSports industry. Although eSports scholarships are unusual, they are not impossible to get. If you are a talented student gamer, then you can get a 1,500-pound scholarship from the University of Roehampton. The university also offers special scholarships for women in eSports. Leverage this scholarship to hone your skills and pursue a career in this industry.
Online Games to Earn Money
You can also make significant money if you are not a professional player. So, if you are a casual gamer and want to make the most by using various online platforms, you can play the following games to earn money:
- Paytm First Games
Paytm is one of the leading UPI payment apps where you can recharge mobile, pay bills, or do simple online transactions. This app also allows you to participate in numerous games like quizzes, word games, general knowledge games, and more where you can get cashback, various deals, or vouchers.
- FreeHit
FreeHit is a task-based gaming app where you need to complete various tasks that are updated on a daily basis. It is a great app where you can win money without investing any money. Execute the tasks as per the given instructions to generate income. You can earn cash, cashback, as well as other rewards.
- Solitaire Club
Solitaire Club is a popular card game where each round lasts one to two minutes. Participate in normal games and tournaments and compete with players across the globe. For each of your wins, you get fair payouts.
- MPL
MPL or Mobile Premier League is an online gaming platform where you can engage in fantasy sports. Create your football and cricket teams and get paid when the live match scores align with your curated team. You can also play skill-based games by racing, card games, and more. Additionally, you can also use the referral program of this platform to earn commission and exclusive rewards when your friends or family install the app.
- SwagBucks
SwagBucks is a popular gaming app where you can play a variety of online games. From trivia to surveys and card games, among others, you can easily play these games or complete the tasks to win exciting rewards. You get site currency which you can later convert to gift cards for different retail sites.
Conclusion
Thus, there are a variety of ways to earn money if you are a gamer. You can become a professional gamer or leverage your gaming skills in multiple methods to generate income. You can start a blog, stream your games, or even develop games to earn money. Sponsorships, donations, and ad revenue are also some of the popular ways to elevate your potential income through gaming. So, identify your passion, focus on a niche, and start your earning journey by doing something that you genuinely enjoy and love.