The internet truly is a modern marvel; it has led to advancements in almost every facet of society, revolutionising industries and changing people’s lives. However, for millennials and younger, the internet really isn’t all that special since they grew up with it. One of the most popular applications of the internet for these generations is online gaming. Traditionally, online gaming didn’t produce anything other than the satisfaction of winning, but this is not necessarily the case anymore. In recent years, the idea of the ‘professional gamer’ has gained traction, and more and more players have found a way to turn their hobby into a money-making venture. The question is: is it sustainable? Let’s explore.
Knowing Your Options
Firstly, if you want to make money when online gaming, there are a few different ways in which you could do this. Although, admittedly, they do vary in their potential returns and also how long it can take for you to make a profit. One of the quickest ways to earn money via online gaming is by gambling. A lot of decent gamblers can create a steady stream of returns; however, you need to know how to play the games and what to look out for. Some casino games have a bigger potential for profit than others. OnlineCasinos have the low down on the best sites, the sites that offer the higher cash incentive for new members, as well as the casinos where you can make real money too. Resources like this can really help to maximise your profit potential so bear that in mind.
Within a similar vein to gambling, there are also in-game currencies or play-to-earn games. Now, it is important to point out that these are not particularly reliable, and it is unlikely that you will earn any real money from them – real money meaning that they would become your main form of income. For the most part, in-game currencies have no real value outside of the game, but there are sometimes exceptions to this rule. Some games do offer exchange systems, or you can work out exchanges with other players. Play-to-earn games are set to become more popular in the new year, but the emergence of a whole genre of games that allow players to earn money simply by playing said games is a new option to consider. However, since they are relatively new, it is hard to predict just how much you could earn through them.
One of the most sought-after jobs in the gaming industry is that of a play tester. This is perhaps because it obviously provides you with a steady and reliable wage – if you can do it full time, unlike some of the others on the list. That being said, due to its popularity, the jobs themselves can be hard to come by. Although, they are often done remotely, which does mean that you don’t necessarily need to relocate or only apply to local companies, which does increase your reach. If you are passionate about gaming and believe that you have a good premise for a game or if you have experience in coding or video game development, then those are also money-making opportunities too, although arguably more involved and professional than simply making money via playing games.
The last two suggestions are perhaps the least unrealistic or most unattainable: winning game tournaments and becoming a gaming streamer. Starting with tournaments, in order to qualify, you have to be at the top of your game – pardon the pun. Only the best players have a hope of winning. There are a lot of tournaments, most of which do take place in other countries. This means that alongside a joining fee, you may also be expected to pay to make your own way there and pay for your own accommodation. Now, this is likely to be a drop in the bucket if you win, but if you lose, you are going t be out of pocket. Lastly, streaming, there are several sites where you can make money from streaming your gameplay. However, all earnings rely on the views; if no one is watching your streams, then you aren’t going to make any money. You need to be patient when it comes to building your base; after you have amassed enough of a following, you can start to make money when streaming or through ad revenue on your videos. You do need to be mindful of your USP in order to ensure that you stand out from the others.
Things to Bear in Mind
While it should be obvious by now that you can, in fact, make money from gaming, the truth is that it can be difficult. There are no quick routes to success, as in life, so trying to make money through gaming does often take time, and it requires time and patience to do so. Usually, it is advisable to start small. Dedicate smaller portions of your time to this endeavour while also continuing with your job and bringing in another income. It is also worth pointing out that even if you manage to make it to a tournament and become the best at one specific game, the popularity of that game is, in the grand scheme of things, a flash in the pan. Eventually, that game won’t be popular anymore, and so your skills will be rendered useless. It is usually advisable to have a backup plan.
Final Verdict
The phrase ‘professional gamer’ at its core appears to be an oxymoron because gaming, fundamentally, is a leisure pursuit, a hobby, a form of entertainment, not a career choice. But, true enough, in the last few years, the job title ‘professional gamer’ has come to be used more and more. There are even a few people who are known internationally for playing video games, and they earn millions in doing so. Now, the question of whether this is a viable career choice for most people is difficult to answer because the outcome is precarious in that it is difficult to predict who is going to find success and who isn’t. Your approach, as well as your level of commitment and passion, has a lot to do with it.