This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our affiliate disclosure to learn more.
Have you ever wondered if there are ways to get paid through games? Most of us have probably played video games for at least a few hours in our lives, but most people do not think of them as a way to make money.
However, there are several ways to make money through video games online from home. So if you love gaming and want to turn that passion into a side business or secondary source of income, keep reading to discover how you can get paid through games.
Read on to learn about the different ways that you can get paid in the video game industry, including how each one works, what the requirements are, and what skills you need. These opportunities are great for those who enjoy video games and can offer an exciting new career path or side business idea. There are also several legit money-making apps, so click the link to discover.
How to Get Paid to Play Games Online
To get paid to play games, you need to find a company that is willing to pay you to play their game. These types of gaming jobs can vary greatly, but all of them require you to play the game and provide feedback as you go along.
Generally, this type of gaming job is broken down into two categories: Games testing and game development. To find these types of gaming jobs, you can look online on sites like Indeed, Monster, and 9to5. You can also use a specialized gaming job site to find opportunities in your area.
1. Games Testers
A game tester is a person who plays video games, tests their features, and identifies glitches and bugs before the game is released.
There are two types of video game testers:
- Playtester: focuses on testing the user experience of a game. This includes how fun it is to play, what makes it boring, when the movement of graphics doesn’t work, and how many victories one experiences while playing the game.
- Quality assurance testers: this focuses on identifying technical and critical problems with a game such as bugs, glitches, and inconsistencies.
As an online game tester, you will be working with the game developers and programmers to improve games and confirm they are all set for users. In addition to this, you will be exposed to the latest video games in the gaming industry which will help you enhance your strategic thinking abilities.
If you enjoy playing video games, this is the perfect opportunity to make $2,000 up to $4,000 a month working from home. Check out this article if you are interested in website testing jobs.
2. Game Developers
The other job career in the gaming industry is game development. Game developers are also known as game programmers. This is a person who writes game code while employing design tools and implementing artificial intelligence for a variety of formats such as PCs, consoles, web browsers, and mobile phones. Their work can vary from large gaming studio projects to self-published indie game development projects.
As a freelance game developer, you will be responsible for developing new ideas for game design, translating visual ideas into code, reviewing existing code recommending improvement, and collaborating with designers, producers, and artists.
If you are fond of video games, taking a video game development career is rewarding. Start building your portfolio with all the games you have made and apply to jobs.
3. Game Designer
You may consider a game designer as a game developer, but they are different. Game developers usually focus more on coding and programming, while game designers focus more on concept development using game engines such as Unity, art software such as Adobe Illustrator, and scripting languages such as Python and C#.
As a game designer, your role is to put the imagination into a plot for a video game. You will be working closely with the developers to ensure the work is flowing in the right way. Take this chance to boost your career in the gaming industry.
4. Game journalism
The other role is game journalism. As a video game journalist, you will be responsible for reporting game industry updates, reviews of new games, and people who work in the industry. Moreover, you will plan, research, write and edit video game content.
The average salary for video game journalists is $58.83 per hour which is $2,353 per week and $10,196 per month.
This is a great role that combines the desire for gaming and writing. So if you are fascinated by this opportunity, don’t miss it.
5. Twitch Broadcaster
Video game streaming is an activity where people broadcast themselves playing video games to a live audience online. There are multiple platforms for game streaming such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook.
Twitch is a leading live-streaming video platform that was founded in 2011 as a community for video game culture, gamers, and creative arts.
A professional streamer often combines high-level play and earns income from sponsors, subscriptions, ad revenue, and donations. Small Twitch streamers can earn anywhere from $50 to $1500 per month, depending on the number of average viewers they have.
If you are into gaming, taking a Twitch broadcaster position should be high on your list.
6. Coaching and consultation
Game coaching and consulting is another opportunity that will help you join the gaming industry. It is a process that combines the practices of a game with a professional coaching system.
As a consultant, you will provide advice and guidance to businesses or to individuals who are looking to succeed in the video game industry.
The average salary for a video game coach is $20.35 per hour. Take this chance to make money from your home using your knowledge of games.
7. Video game marketer
Video game marketers are responsible for applying marketing strategies such as market research, data analysis, and reporting to achieve the goal of the company.
This is the best opportunity to work as a freelancer in the gaming industry. In this role, you will be responsible for creating campaigns before, during, and after a game’s release that provide key insights into the game demographics and show how it can best reach its target audiences.
Video game marketers use social media, reviews, adverts, game websites, sales platforms, and face-to-face events to create a successful business environment.
8. Gaming cyber security
Most of the time, people pay little attention to cyber security while they are playing video games. Cybercriminals frequently target gamers’ accounts to take their personal data or virtual purchases of the game items.
Many larger gaming companies have cyber security teams. These teams are in charge of protecting their networks, systems, and data. This is a huge role from designing security strategies to responding to incidents.
If you have been working on cyber security, taking this knowledge into the gaming industry is profitable. Many companies hire freelance cybersecurity individuals, make sure to apply.
9. Game audio engineer
Most of the time no one notices the work of video game audio engineers but they play an important role in the industry.
A game audio engineer works on creating, designing, and implementing all of the sound and music elements in a video game by applying technical audio equipment and software. Your duties include recording sounds, editing soundtracks, working to match audio with animation or with the game, implementing the files, testing the sound in the gameplay, and collaborating with game developers to ensure the final product matches the objectives.
Game audio engineer salary ranges from $20,000 to $100,000 annually based on experience.
10. Video game artist
Video game artist is also another position you might be interested in. The designer might develop the concept but the video game artist is the one who conveys it into reality. They must create various styles that will be used to develop the game, make the game unforgettable, and bring the audience into the game.
Some artists use traditional methods such as sketching or freehand drawing while others prefer modern tools like ED modeling and motion-capture technology.
This opportunity will help you unleash the artist within you and get you some cash flowing.
Conclusion
If you have always loved playing games, getting paid to play games online can be an exciting new career path.
There are several types of gaming jobs available, including game testing, game development, and video game testing. You can also make money by becoming a Twitch Broadcaster and working as a virtual employee for video game companies.
If you want to get paid to play games, now is the time to start looking for opportunities.