Do you love gaming and want to make money doing something around your passion? That was me a few years ago. I turned my love of gaming into a $8,000-a-month income stream and eventually sold the business for 6 figures early in 2023.
In this article I will share with you the business I started so I could make money from gaming as well as some other side hustles gamers can take on to make money.
10 Side Hustles For Gamers
If you’re looking to start making some money online as a gamer, there are a wide range of ways you can do it. Let’s take a look at some of the best options.
Building A Blog
This might seem like an outdated method but trust me, there are plenty of gaming websites out there making great money. This is actually how I made money out of my passion.
I started getonstream.com and eventually sold it for 6 figures. On Get On Stream I created guides to help people get set up with their streams. Eventually, I had a small team of writers who would help me produce the content and I turned it into a real business.
I got up every day and enjoyed writing about streaming content, streamer setups and more. We also branched out into pure gaming content as well before selling.
If you love gaming and have knowledge about a specific game, system, etc starting a blog around it is a great way to start earning money.
It is a lot of work but if you are passionate about the topic you are creating for, it is a great way to build a real business in the gaming space. You can also do it at night alongside your full-time job and potentially transition to full-time once you’re making enough money.
If you have ever searched for a mission guide, best class setup etc there are hundreds of sites writing these guides and making money through advertisements on the websites. If you can find an underserved market or tap into a new game release, you can make great money.
Writing
As I mentioned above, I hired writers to write for my website. I hired freelance writers from Upwork or Hitmarker. I would give these writers a specific topic to cover and they would write the article.
Some writers would be dedicated to individual games while others would cover a range of topics. If you are extremely knowledgeable in a specific game, say Call of Duty or World of Warcraft you are a valuable resource to gaming publications.
Learn some basic SEO and writing skills and you can make some good money writing for a publication. They tend to pay anywhere from $0.04 to $0.10 per word depending on the topic you write on.
If you have an interest in games and put a half-decent effort into the application you have a good chance of landing gigs. I was on the other end of the applications and the talent pool is not that great.
This can be a great way to make some extra money writing about games on the weekend or in the evenings after work.
Youtube
Becoming a content creator is a popular route for a lot of gamers as a side hustle. Even if you don’t make any money from it, you may enjoy just creating content around your gameplay.
I did it for years without ever making a penny. While this area is very saturated, you can still stand out by coming up with original concepts, capitalising on new games and making entertaining content. Plenty of content creators are still going from zero to hundreds of thousands of subscribers in their first year. If you’re willing to put the work in, it’s definitely an option.
Once you grow an audience there are lots of ways to monetise and make a living from your Youtube channel.
Streaming
Gamers can establish a channel on platforms like Twitch or YouTube, where they stream their gameplay live. Monetization comes from a mix of subscriber fees, donations, sponsorships, and advertising revenue. Successful streamers often engage with their audience, offer entertaining or insightful commentary, and maintain a regular streaming schedule.
Again, this is a fairly saturated industry and requires unique content to succeed. If you simply stream yourself gaming with your friends and don’t put in any extra work such as posting on socials, creating clips and other content, you are unlikely to succeed.
If you’re willing to put in the work and come up with creative strategies for content, there is a large upside if you succeed.
Some of the top streamers are pulling in professional athlete-sized contracts.
Video Editor
Many gamers and streamers require high-quality video content but lack the skills or time to edit videos themselves. Gamers with video editing skills can offer their services to create engaging content for YouTube, social media, or personal websites. This includes editing gameplay, creating montages, or adding effects and transitions. Income is usually earned per project or through ongoing work relationships.
If I had to get a career in gaming right now, this might be the route I would go down. Creators need editors more than ever and good editors are hard to find. If you can become a skilled editor, you can make a lot of money working with a top creator.
Chat Moderator
As gaming streams grow, the need for chat moderators increases. Moderators manage the chat during live streams, ensuring it remains friendly and adheres to the streamer’s rules.
They handle spam, inappropriate comments, and viewer interactions. Payment can be on a voluntary basis initially, but popular streamers might offer a regular stipend for reliable moderation services.
Coach
Skilled gamers can offer coaching services to help others improve their skills. This can involve one-on-one sessions, group workshops, or even creating online courses.
Coaches analyze gameplay, provide feedback, and teach strategies. They typically charge an hourly rate or a fee for a course or series of sessions.
Video Game Development
Gamers with a passion for creating games can venture into game development. This could involve programming, design, art, or sound production. Independent game developers can earn money by selling their games on platforms like Steam or the App Store, or through crowd-funding on platforms like Kickstarter.
Game Testing
Game testers play games to find bugs and provide feedback on the gameplay experience. While some view it as an entry-level role in the gaming industry, it’s vital for game development. Testers are often paid hourly or per project and may work freelance or with a company.
Compete In Tournaments
Skilled gamers can participate in eSports tournaments. These competitions can range from local events to international championships and online events, with some offering substantial prize money. Success in this area requires a high level of skill and dedication to the game.
If you are good enough to be competing it can be worthwhile streaming and creating content along side competing to help you generate extra sources of income.
Trading Virtual Currencies
In games with their own economies, savvy gamers can earn by trading virtual goods and currencies. This can involve buying and selling in-game items or currencies for real money, often on third-party websites. It requires a good understanding of the game’s economy and market trends.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully one of these ideas has helped to spark some ideas on how you can make money through your passion for gaming. While you might not be able to make money sitting around just gaming, there are plenty of jobs that are in the gaming industry allowing you to work on something you love.
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