How Gaming Can Earn You Some Extra Money
Thanks to the internet, the gaming industry has seen huge advancements over the last few decades. While the way that playing games has changed, so has their reach. One of the more unexpected developments within the world of gaming is that players can now make money from them. It is important to point out that it is difficult to make a living online unless you have progressed to the top of the industry. Therefore, most people use online gaming to subsidise their income. With that small caveat out of the way, let’s get into it.
Online Gambling
Within the world of online gambling, there are a lot of different subsections to choose from. There is a lot of money to be made from online gambling. The trick is to do your research to learn more about the games before you play them. Some sites have excellent resources which can help you, like the Play Live Casino guide on how to play book of dead. Think about what types of games or gambling you’d like to try. For example, you could bet on sports games or try online slot machines or card games. There are a lot of avenues for you to explore. You do need to make sure that you understand the rules and the odds involved in the game beforehand. You should also always read the terms and conditions when signing up for a site too.
Gaming Tournaments
Another way that you can make money from gaming is by enrolling in and winning gaming tournaments. A lot of tournaments offer cash prizes to the winners. Although, obviously, you need to be really good at the game to make it this far. This is one of the newer developments within the gaming industry. Luckily, there are a lot of choices when it comes to gaming tournaments. You can find single or multiplayer tournaments if you have a team that you usually like to play with. There are tournaments geared towards different games, too, so you should be able to find one that works for you. A lot of the tournaments are also streamed online to viewers all over the world. This means that you could start to build a following and eventually pivot into streaming your gameplay if you so desired.
Streaming Gameplay
Another way that you can make money online from gaming is to stream your gameplay to the masses. There are a lot of options when it comes to streaming your gameplay, and, in fact, there are already players all over the world of all different ages earning mega-money from broadcasting their gameplay. Arguably the best platform to use is Twitch, but some people do use YouTube too. Popular games already come with a large following which means you already have an audience for your efforts. However, earning money from streaming is not easy. It can take a while to amass a following. The good thing is that it is relatively cheap to set up. You don’t even need to be particularly good at the game; you can build a following simply by being charismatic and likeable.
Working As A Play Tester
Trying to find work as a play tester is difficult because it is an incredibly popular job. In all honesty, it is one of the most sought-after roles within the gaming industry. It is competitive, but it is one of the only ways to make a steady and reliable income. Playtesting ensures that you are going to be on the cutting edge. You get to test brand-new games and experience innovative new elements before they hit the market. Most jobs as a playtester are done remotely, which can be a little isolating at times; this is something to think about, especially if you thrive when working closely with other people.
In-Game Currencies
This is worth a mention, but it is not a very reliable or realistic way to make money playing games. This is because most of the time, in-game currencies can only be used within the game; obviously, it is why they were developed. However, there are rare exceptions to the rule. There are a few games that allow you to exchange the in-game currency for real money. The best example of this is the game Second Life, the in-game currency was exchangeable for cash, and some lucky players made a lot of money from the game. Today, this possibility is limited as these exchanges of currency become rarer, but there are still options. If not exchanging currency, you can still use your skills within a game to make money. For example, you can sell your items, avatar, or experience to other players.
Things to Keep in Mind
While it is absolutely possible to turn your passion for gaming into a career, it is not going to be easy. Most people choose to begin by offering a smaller time commitment, making small steps towards their goals before they attempt to go full time. You need to have a plan in place, and starting smaller simply makes more sense. It allows you to get a better feel for it, and you can assess your potential for success.
The longevity of such a career also needs to be assessed. Choosing to surround your career around a specific game might allow you to take advantage of a trend or fad, but that game won’t be popular forever. As the game becomes outdated, you will too. So if you want to ensure that your career will last, you need to diversify your interests.
Finally, it might also be worth coming up with a backup plan. It makes sense to have something to fall back on because the industry is incredibly competitive. You could also choose to give yourself a timeframe. If your career hasn’t begun to gain traction or you haven’t reached a certain level of success by a specific date, then you might want to consider moving on to your backup plan.
Summary
The internet has truly revolutionised the gaming industry, and in that sense, the idea of gaming professionally is still relatively new. This means that the opportunities within this arena could grow even further. If this is something that you are passionate about, then consider the options above to see which avenue would work best for you.
