The year was 2008. “I wish I could do this for earning my living,” said Henry while acing for the umpteenth time on Project IGI. Henry is the typical boy next door who loves gaming, but his interest is frowned upon by everyone around him. If he ever wanted to play games on his PC, he has had to perform reasonably well in academics first, or the computer is off-limits.

Cut to 2020. Online gaming is trending everywhere. Geographical locations, international boundary lines have all been rendered obsolete. Now, you may get paid to play games online, and that is no longer a figment of one’s imagination. It is one of the most sought-after activities, and not just because of the entertainment quotient.

A pro-gamer, as we call them these days, are no less than celebrities, with thousands of followers willing to tune in to various streaming platforms to watch them play a specific game. And this is only single out of the multiple ways to earn money by playing games.

“If you are good at gaming, never do it for free.” Online gaming has opened up numerous avenues for money-making, and the sums involved are staggering—worth giving a shot. Here are a few points to consider when you wish to get money to play games:

Start a YouTube Channel

The simplest way to get recognized is by starting a YouTube channel. If the content is engaging, YouTube is one of the quickest shortcuts to fame. The channel could be related to anything – Gaming tutorials, match or product reviews, entertaining commentary, or live streaming.

To start generating revenue, YouTube requires you to have a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and more than 4,000 public watch hours over the last 12 months. Once these requirements are met, you are eligible to be a YouTube partner and start getting ads. The sponsorships also start pouring in with a sizable number of followers.

Live-Stream on various Platforms

At present, many streaming platforms allow you to sign up, and then, you get paid to play games. Each of these platforms has specific criteria that need to be met before you can sign up as a partner. Twitch is one of the most famous platforms where one gets paid for the number of subscribers and ads and sponsorships that come your way.

Participate in various Competitions

This is slightly a gamble, but if you are incredibly talented, this is one of the easiest ways to get paid for playing. The money involved in these competitions is directly proportional to how popular the game is. The prize money in international tournaments for games like Counter-Strike goes as high as 10 Million US Dollars. One of the major requirements for this job is consistency.

If you have what it takes to make the cut, this is an option to be explored. Being successful in such competitions also makes way for additional income from live streams and sponsorships.

Be a Game Developer

One can always combine their love for gaming with a bit of technical proficiency and work for a big organization like EA or Ubisoft. One can also be a solo developer and earn money through game sales and in-game purchases. The internet is replete with examples of solo developers who went ahead and sold their games to firms like Microsoft for a lot of money. All it takes is for one to channelize their passion in the right direction.

Be a Videogame Tester

Developers are always on the lookout for testers who would try out their games. It is one of the best ways to detect bugs and obtain insights to improve game offerings. Although this seems like a dream job on the outside, there is a lot of hard work involved. It requires gamers to get into the nitty-gritty of the game and test every aspect with the utmost focus.

A very systematic approach has to be taken to ensure that nothing goes unnoticed. If the description fits you, you should start looking up vacancies in various companies and sending them your applications. You might get paid to play games!

Start Videogame Blogs and Podcasts

A bachelor’s degree in Journalism is one of the prerequisites to be a videogame journalist. If you are good at writing, and love games, this is one avenue that is worth exploring. Compared to the other options available, this does not generate as much income, but you earn a lot more once you have an adequate amount of experience in gaming.

You can also come up with a blog or podcast of your own with tutorials or hacks for beginners or review various games. One of the disadvantages of this venture is the lack of visuals, which becomes essential in retaining the attention of the viewer. Nevertheless, these are still lucrative options, and with a decent following, you can start making it to the limelight.

Sign up for eSports Teams

There are a lot of teams that hire new talents. The best way to be noticed by such teams is to pick one particular game, excel at it, and gain publicity using YouTube or live streaming platforms. A lot of players are spotted on these platforms and signed up for various teams.

Ultimately, they get paid to play games for their teams, just like a Sports Star. Apart from being a gamer, you can also do a plethora of activities in eSports. Hosting your events is one of them. You can also sign up for the post of Sales and Marketing specialist or Social media handler.

The world is changing, but so are the methods or ways of making money. Since its inception, online gaming has come a long way. Before opting for online gaming as a source of livelihood, it is crucial to understand that we get hooked to games because they let us escape reality. But when they become our source of income, the enjoyment can redouble. It becomes imperative for one to take calculated steps and weigh all options before making the final call.