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In recent years, the gaming industry has evolved beyond mere entertainment, transforming into a lucrative landscape for individuals seeking to make a living. How to make money gaming is a question that resonates with a growing community of gamers who recognize the potential of turning their passion into a profitable gaming venture.
Why make money as a gamer?
Passionate gamers now have diverse avenues to turn their love for gaming into income. While esports is a popular choice, the landscape has broadened. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming empower gamers to monetize their content, showcasing skills and personality to a wide audience.
Entrepreneurship in gaming is thriving, with business ideas and opportunities in game development, software and merchandise businesses. Influential gamers, like Mr. Beast, have become cultural icons, attracting lucrative partnerships. This flexibility appeals to those seeking non-traditional career paths in the gaming industry and for those looking for businesses to start with little money.
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10 ways to make money gaming
01. Gaming streaming and content creation
Game streaming involves broadcasting live gameplay, while content creation includes making videos, reviews and tutorials related to gaming. This is a popular way to make money gaming and one that most gamers use to monetize their brand and content.
Famous gamers who got their start from gaming streaming include Mr. Beast, PewDiePie, Dan TDM and DrLupo. Popular games that gamers use for live gameplay include Fortnite and Roblox.
Game streaming can be monetized through ad revenue donations from viewers, sponsorships and affiliate marketing which is where you add affiliate links to products from your content. When your users click on the link and buy from the affiliate, you earn money.
It’s a great way to engage with a potentially large audience, build a community and diversify your income. It requires constant and consistent content creation, building engagement with your audience and building collaborations with brands to make it successful.
02. Esports competitions and tournaments
Gamers can make money by organizing or participating in esports competitions and tournaments. As an organizer you can make money from sponsorships, ticket sales and selling broadcasting rights to the competition to the media. As a participant you can earn money by winning, or by brand sponsorships - they sponsor you, you promote their brand by wearing their branded clothes are you play, as an example.
Examples of tournaments you could enter as a gamer include:
League of Legends World Championship
Halo World Championship
FCNS Global Championship (Fortnite)
Overwatch World Cup
IEM Sydney (CS:GO)
03. Game development
Some gamers make money by going into game development - the creation and selling of video or online games for others to play. You make money through game sales, in-game purchases and licensing. If successful it can be a way to make a lot of money as a gamer, however, it takes a great deal of game development experience, expertise and investment to make it work.
If you’re a gamer looking to get into game development, you can use platforms such as Steam and itchio which allow you to digitally distribute your game without necessarily needing to rely on a large game publisher to get your game out there
Well-known games created by independent gamers include:
Minecraft by Markus Persson at Notch
Braid by Jonathan Blow
Fez by Phil Fish
04. Game testing and reviews
Playing and reviewing games for an audience, or writing blog posts or other types of online reviews of games is one way for gamers to make money.
Learn more: How to start a gaming blog
You can film yourself playing and reviewing games, then turn the experience into a blog post and then post a version on your social media account. This helps you capitalize on all the monetization opportunities with this gaming business idea, including ad revenue, sponsorships and affiliate marketing.
The key to making money through game testing and reviews is to give honest reviews that your audience can relate to. You need to build trust, to get them to buy from you or take your gaming recommendations.
Check out some of these gamers making money and building a large following through testing and reviews:
05. Gaming merchandise
Make money as a gamer by designing and selling gaming-related merchandise, either for your brand or related to gaming trends. From hoodies to stickers, t-shirts and more - there are plenty of things you can brand for gamers and sell.
It’s not uncommon for large brands to partner with gamers and games in collaborations for real-life merchandise or in-game objects. Take for example the collaboration between the gamer Ninja (Tyler Blevins) and Adidas for sneakers.
Check out some of the best ecommerce platforms to get started.
06. Coaching and consulting
You can also consider offering coaching services or consulting services to help others improve their gaming skills. These sessions can be focused on teenagers, beginners or those with some gaming experience who want to level up. Make money by offering hourly or package fees, to get buyers to sign up for more classes or offer subscriptions and memberships. This is a great business idea that capitalizes on the growing popularity of online gaming. In 2023 an estimated 3.38 billion people were believed to be participants in online games.
07. Virtual items and skins trading
Gamers can turn their in-game achievements into real-world cash by trading virtual items and skins. The strategy is simple: buy low and sell high. Focus on rare or high-demand skins or use your skills to earn valuable items you can resell for profit.
Games like CS:GO, Dota 2 and Fortnite have in-game marketplaces where you can auction off items and make money while gaming. Landing a limited-edition skin or rare item could boost its value, with some players even earning a full-time income just from trading virtual goods.
Keep an eye on game updates or seasonal events since developers often drop exclusive items you can resell later for a premium. Whether you're flipping skins for quick cash or building a collection to sell in the future, virtual trading is a great way to blend gaming with business. Success comes down to patience, strategy and staying ahead of trends.
08. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) gaming
Platforms like YouTube and Twitch are diving into immersive content, giving VR streamers plenty of ways to earn through ads, memberships and sponsorships. Viewers are hooked on the thrill of first-person VR, intense esports matches and reaction-filled gaming moments, making engaging content a real opportunity for creators.
Game developers can turn ideas into profit by creating VR and AR games, designing custom in-game assets or building AR-powered mobile experiences. With big players like Meta and Apple investing heavily in immersive gaming, the demand for VR testers, UX designers and 3D artists is climbing fast.
Competitive VR gaming is also on the rise, with titles like Echo VR and Pavlov bringing in sponsorships and impressive prize pools. At the same time, AR hits like Pokémon GO have proven that blending real life with gaming can bring in serious revenue through in-game purchases, ads and brand partnerships.
09. Gaming rentals and equipment sharing
Gaming hardware can be expensive, making renting out high-end setups a smart and flexible business idea. Platforms like Fat Llama and ShareGrid allow you to list your gear for short-term use, creating a reliable income stream. Gamers enjoy trying the latest gear or renting it for a weekend session. High-performance PCs, PlayStation 5s and Meta Quest 3 headsets are all popular options.
Some entrepreneurs go further by creating local gaming hubs or VR arcades, offering rentals by the hour or session. It’s an awesome way to turn your passion into a business that makes money. There's also huge potential in renting out equipment for events, parties or esports tournaments.
Schools, businesses and content creators often need gaming gear for competitions, training or special projects. Mobile gaming setups are also popular for birthdays, team-building activities or VR events at conventions.
To stand out, consider bundling rentals with setup services, game libraries or accessories. This adds value and creates a premium, hassle-free experience. With cloud gaming and new tech becoming more accessible, renting gaming gear is a smart way to meet the demand for top-tier experiences without committing to a full-time shop.
10. Gaming events and conventions
Another way to make money as a gamer is by organizing or participating in gaming events, expos or conventions. You can work as a brand partner, advertising their games or merchandise. Or you can attend to market your gaming brand and business, or sell your merchandise. This is also an effective way to network and meet other gamers, either for partnerships or just to build relationships.
11. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing works by having you promote products or services for a brand or company by placing affiliate links in your videos, social media content or blogs. When your users click on the link and buy a product or service, you earn a commission previously agreed upon with the brand.
This can be an easy way to make money if you already have a large, engaged audience who trust your recommendations. Make sure to choose reputable affiliate programs, provide genuine recommendations and keep marketing to build a larger audience.
12. Podcasting
If you’re already creating gaming content, podcasting is the next step to make money with a podcast and grow your brand. Host gaming discussions, interviews with fellow gamers or industry experts or share tips and strategies. Podcasting helps you connect with your audience on a personal level while unlocking monetization options like sponsorships, ad revenue and listener donations.
Podcasting is also a strong marketing tool. Use it to promote your gaming channel, merchandise or events and drive more traffic and sales. Chat about gaming trends, review new titles or share behind-the-scenes insights. Your podcast can be an extra income stream that helps expand your gaming empire.
Looking for inspiration? Check out these gaming website examples to level up your game.
Passive income streams in gaming
Passive income in gaming is like building a money-making machine that works while you play your favorite games. One way to earn is by creating and selling game assets like custom skins, in-game items or mods. Design something awesome, upload it to platforms like Steam, Roblox or Fortnite and let the earnings come in as gamers buy your work. It’s a digital product that keeps paying you long after you’ve created it.
Another option is affiliate marketing. Recommend gaming gear, software or digital goods through your streams or social media and earn every time someone makes a purchase through your link. Set it up once and watch the income grow.
YouTube and Twitch are also great for passive income. Build a channel, grow your audience and earn through ads, memberships and donations even when you’re not online. Upload tutorials or share your gaming videos—every view is a chance to earn. On Twitch, subscribers pay monthly to support your channel and selling merch or promoting products can boost your income even further.
You could also start a gaming blog or content site with articles, guides and reviews. Once you have traffic, you can earn through ads, affiliate links and sponsored posts without needing to update it every day.
How to get started with making money as a gamer
Define your niche
Identify your specific area of interest within the gaming industry before starting your business.
Research market demand and trends to find a niche that aligns with your skills and passion.
Business planning
Develop a business plan outlining your goals, target audience, competition and financial projections.
Consider the legal structure of your gaming business (sole proprietorship, LLC, corporation).
Make a website
Use a website builder to start creating a website showcasing your gaming products, services, or content.
If you're looking to sell online, consider making an eCommerce website.
Optimize your website for search engine visibility (SEO) to attract a broader audience.
Learn more: How to make a gaming website
Marketing
Develop a comprehensive marketing strategy that includes online and offline methods.
Leverage social media platforms relevant to your target audience and participate in online gaming communities.
Pricing and financial accounting
Set up accounting systems to track income and expenses for your gaming business.
Determine your pricing strategy by considering costs, market rates and the perceived value of your offerings.
Use a gaming website template to get started.
Trends in the gaming business
If you’re looking to get into the gaming industry, these trends create exciting opportunities for both gamers and developers alike.
Cloud gaming: Play high-quality games anywhere without needing pricey hardware with platforms like Google Stadia and Nvidia GeForce Now
Mobile gaming: Hits like Clash Royale and PUBG Mobile are bringing in billions through microtransactions and in-app purchases
VR and AR: Explore immersive gaming with devices like Meta Quest or AR games like Pokémon GO
Esports: Competitive gaming has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry with big sponsorships, prize pools and global audiences
NFTs and blockchain gaming: Players can now buy, sell and trade unique in-game items as valuable digital assets
How to make money as a gamer FAQ
What skills are essential for making money through gaming?
Essential skills include gaming proficiency, content creation, marketing, networking and business management.