10 real ways to make money from online gaming

Modern earning opportunities for gamers

A variety of genres and styles of online games — from simple puzzle games available offline to complex multiplayer video games that require an Internet connection — have long been a popular form of entertainment for millions of people around the world. New horizons in the gamer industry have been opened up by PlayToEarn (P2E) games, which allow players to earn real money or other rewards during the process.

The PlayToEarn model offers players a wide range of virtual experiences, from role-playing games and strategy to virtual real estate and art galleries. Gamers can choose a game according to their interests and strengths, as well as the earning opportunities offered.

1. Participation in gaming tournaments

   Gamers have the opportunity to earn money from games by competing in tournaments (online or offline) with prize money ranging from a few dollars to millions. And you don't have to be a pro to participate in cybersports: even at the amateur level you can take part in online competitions and get money for your skills, and with them — recognition in the community.
   
   

   Popular gaming tournaments include Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, CS:GO Majors.

2. Creating and selling mods or assets for games

   Creative players can develop their own game modifications, maps, skins or 3D models and not only use them in their own projects, but also sell them on specialised platforms such as Steam Workshop, Skyrim Mods, Unity Asset Store or Roblox Creator Marketplace. This allows you to monetise technical and creative skills mostly without large investments. But you should keep in mind that this way of making money online requires technical knowledge, and be prepared for competition from other players.

3. Streaming gameplay

   Streaming is the process of broadcasting a game in real time to a large audience. Streamers and game bloggers can earn money through viewers' subscriptions to the channel, donations through payment systems, displaying adverts on the channel thanks to cooperation with brands.

   Streaming platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, Discord are often used nowadays. The more unique and interesting the content on the channel, the more viewers and support from them can be attracted. For example, popular streamers on Twitch earn from several hundred to several thousand dollars per month.

4. Farming

   This is the process of mining in-game items, currency, or other benefits that can then be sold for real money. Many games have in-game currency or rare items that can be sold on third-party marketplaces such as Steam Market or eBay. For example, in “World of Warcraft”, you can earn money by selling rare items or gold.

5. Selling Accounts

   In the gamer industry, you can make money by selling accounts with high levels of development, rare items or a major achievement. For example, in “World of Warcraft” or “League of Legends” popular accounts with high achievements can be sold for large sums. But do not consider this method of earning a quick profit: first you create an account with a low level or without special achievements, then pump it up to a high level or achievement in the game, and only then you can sell it at the right price.

6. Games with blockchain elements and NFT

   A new generation of video games is using blockchain technologies such as NFT to reward gamers with cryptocurrency. NFT (non-fungible token) allows users to acquire ownership of in-game items (virtual clothing, equipment, land, etc.).
   
   

   Whereas in conventional games gamer items are stored in closed networks and owned by development companies, NFTs allow players to own unique assets (game items, characters, lands) and dispose of them at their own discretion. For example, in “Axie Infinity”, players can earn cryptocurrency by owning digital creatures (Axies) and selling them on special markets.

7. Boosting

   This service consists of experienced players using another less experienced user's account or playing on a team with them to help them move up the ranks. The pro-gamer receives money for boosting the other user's ranking. In fact, this is an “artificial” increase in rank without really improving the skills of the player. Therefore, from an ethical point of view, this practice of making money from games is not acceptable.

8. Game Testing (QA Testing)

   Game companies often hire testers to find technical bugs or flaws in their products before their official release. Game testers are paid for the time they spend finding bugs, testing functionality, compatibility, usability, performance, localisation, game balance, etc.
   
   

   Depending on the company, type and complexity of testing, experience and specialisation of the tester, his earnings can range from $10 to $70 per hour. Game testing projects for money can be found on online platforms (PlaytestCloud, BetaFamily, uTest) and official websites of studios (Ubisoft, Riot Games, Blizzard).

9. Training and coaching

   If you have a high rating in a particular game, are well-versed in mechanics and are able to explain things in a sensible way, you can earn money online from games by giving individual or group lessons. In particular, you can offer individual sessions with students via Discord or Zoom, complex courses on a particular game, match analysis and analyses of the student's game, paid streams with educational content.

   You can find clients on platforms (Metafy, GamerSensei, Fiverr), gamer forums (Reddit, Discord), your own YouTube channel. This method is suitable for those who want to earn money from video games, not competing, but on the contrary — helping others to become the best.

10. Freelancing in gamemaking

    Another option that allows you to earn money from games without participating in them as a player. If you have creative or technical skills (graphic design, script writing, music production), you can work on gamemade projects and get paid for it. You can look for orders on such popular platforms as Upwork, Freelancer, Fiverr, ArtStation, Discord profile servers, and indie developer websites.

    It is worth adding that in parallel with games for earning money on the Internet, metaspace — a shared virtual world where users interact as avatars, meet, work together and, of course, play games — is developing. It is planned that blockchain, cryptocurrency and NFT will gradually be brought into the meta-world along with virtual objects and land parcels represented by unallocated tokens. With this in mind, financial opportunities for visitors to the virtual world will be further enhanced and encouraged to interact.