Back in the day, you might have thought it impossible to make money from video games. But these days, the industry is huge, with over 3 billion games worldwide. Here are some ideas.
Sell Your Older Classics
The games industry as we know it is around 40 years old. And although older games aren’t as technically advanced or as interesting as modern ones, there is a healthy market for retro video games. For example, a pristine copy of Super Mario Bros. sold for $2 million at auction. Of course, that’s not likely to happen again. But collectors will pay for the classic games they remember from their childhoods. So perhaps check your basement or attic for forgotten games.
Become a Coder or Designer
Video games are technically and artistically challenging. Yet there is a rewarding career in making them. If you enjoy mathematics equations, physics, and long hours, coding could be the job for you. On the more artsy side, story writing, directing, and video game design are also excellent career paths. Both jobs pay well and can lead into other sectors. For instance, Neil Druckman has just found fame in the mainstream with the current adaptation of The Last of Us.
Make Money from Video Games by Testing
You will, of course, know about bugs if you have ever played games for any length of time. No game is 100% bug-free. However, there is an army of video game testers that are dedicated to rooting them out. Some video game creators employ testers directly, and it’s often the first rung on the ladder into the industry. However, you can also work for third-party testing companies or even find a job as an at-home video game tester on sites like Indeed, Fiverr and Upwork.
Stream Your Gaming Live
A truly modern way to make money from games these days is to play them. Of course, the modern twist is that you must stream your exploits live on platforms like Twitch, Facebook Live, and YouTube. There is a lot of money to be made if you get it right. And you can end up becoming a full-time video game influencer. It’s also not uncommon for some of the best live streamers to catch deals with studios for exclusive access and merch you can’t buy in-store.
Get Into Video Game Journalism
Journalism has many faces. And you can almost always find a type that resonates with you. So, if you love nothing more than reading and writing, as well as playing video games, then game journalism might be for you. Of course, you need a journalism degree or a proven track record of professional writing to work for a magazine or paper. But you can also work for blogs or create your own. SEO blog writing will help you with a blog if you need to begin from scratch.
Summary
You can make money from video games if they are your passion. You can sell your classics to collectors, playtest for studios and try game journalism to professionally write about them.