Video gaming has been popular for decades, but the real surge in its popularity happened during the pandemic. Millions of people adopted the activity to stay sane while being cooped up at home and isolated from social circles. Many found it a lucrative hustle with the potential to make hundreds of dollars doing something they enjoy.
The market size of the video gaming industry in the US was a whopping $97.7 billion in 2022. Statistics also show that the country had 212 million gamers in 2022, and the annual growth in these numbers will likely be stable until 2027. Undoubtedly, video gaming is going nowhere anytime soon. Besides being full-on entertainment, it is now a part of the side hustle culture.
Before joining the bandwagon, you should have a clear view of the money-making process to maximize revenues with your passion for gaming. You may require additional skills to pick the right way to make money with it.
Here are a few ways to unlock regular income with video gaming as a side hustle.
Participate in Competitive Gaming
Whether you are a PSN or an Xbox lover, you can be a part of competitive gaming. Various platforms host numerous competitive gaming leagues and tournaments throughout the year. At these tournaments, you can win cash prizes and gaming merchandise. Not to mention, you gain respect and popularity in the gaming circles.
But everything boils down to skill because you should have extraordinary talent to beat others in competitive events. Honing your skills is a worthy effort if you want to get a steady income source from competitive events. Also, join competitive leagues and keep an eye out for the latest and the best events in the industry.
Make the Play to Earn Games
Not everyone has the gaming skills to win leagues and tournaments. But that shouldn’t deprive you of making money from video games as a side hustle. You can be a daily player earning a small but regular income from your favorite pastime. For example, PSN offers several options in play-to-earn games, such as Chainmonsters, Alpha Kombat, and 22 Racing Series.
Nearly 67% of adults and 76% of people under 18 in the US play video games too. Even 7% of Americans older than 65 years indulge in the pastime. Many of them make some extra dollars every month with play-to-win options. Reselling giveaways is another way to generate revenues. You can easily sell PSN gift cards on an online marketplace.
Gameflip recommends setting the price at 2% to 15% off the original amount to attract buyers. You may have to adjust the price according to the popularity and demand for the type of gift card you own. With such marketplaces, you can sell in a few clicks and redeem your rewards legitimately.
Try Your Hand at Streaming
Streaming your gameplay is another way to open the door to a regular income stream with video games. You can do it on popular platforms such as Twitch and YouTube gaming. All you need is solid skills, a good understanding of techniques, and the ability to translate your gameplay into a compelling storyline.
Streaming opens up multiple earning opportunities, from ad revenues to sponsorships, donations, and subscriber revenue. You must create engaging content and be consistent with your streaming schedules to build a loyal fan base. Once you have them on board, earning a steady income as a streamer is a breeze.
Become a Professional Game Tester or Reviewer
According to surveys, game testers can earn $15.54 per hour in the US. You may earn a little less as a freelancer, but this is still a good way to make money while having a good time. Game development companies always need testers to provide feedback on their new products. That’s how they improve their games before launching them in the market.
Platforms like PSN and Stream offer opportunities to review games on platforms like YouTube to create credibility and attract a following. You can get some brownie points as a reviewer if you run a popular blog. Honest reviews and gameplay insights can make you a specialist and even get you sponsorships and long-term partnerships with leading gaming companies.
Wrapping Up
Video gaming can be a lucrative and enjoyable side hustle, generating regular income, whether you are a pro or just a beginner. You only need to know what it takes to maximize this income potential and match the right income stream with your skills and experience. Most importantly, being consistent and sharpening your skills can help you sustain the income source for the long haul.