The video game industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, with billions of dollars being spent globally each year on games.
Whether you’re a gamer yourself or you know one, if there’s a videogame released, you’ll probably know how to play it. And if you know how to play it, you know how much effort goes into making it as fun and immersive as possible.
As a result, there are plenty of opportunities for gamers to make money from playing their favorite games. You may be wondering if this is really something you want to do or if it’s just a passing fad. Perhaps you’re curious about the mechanics of getting paid to play, or you’re wondering whether playing for money is considered gambling in most countries. Let’s have a look – is it possible to make money playing video games?
The Downsides Of Playing For Fun
Let’s start with the good stuff first. If you want to make money from gaming, you’ll certainly find plenty of opportunities. Whether you want to become a game developer or publisher, work on a popular console, create content for Twitch or YouTube, or simply want to make some extra cash on the side, there’s plenty of ways to make money playing video games. The problem is, just like most other jobs, there are caveats. Let’s have a look.
Career Opportunities
One of the biggest problems for would-be gamers who want to make money from gaming is figuring out which career path to take. On the one hand, you have the lucrative world of investment banking. You’ll be trading stocks, options, and other financial instruments and applying securities laws in order to fulfill investment banking obligations. You’ll also be handling transactions between buyers and sellers, analyzing security prices, and determining the need for additional equity capital. If you have a law degree, you can also become a corporate lawyer and represent companies in acquisitions and other matters.
On the other hand, you have the exciting world of game development. Here, you’ll be utilizing programming languages such as C/C++, Java, and Assembly to create game software such as console ports, application programs, or online gaming platforms. You’ll also be doing a bit of everything from art to sound design, and even going so far as to program the AI for your game’s monsters or villains. While certainly a challenging and demanding career, you’ll have the chance to work on some of the most exciting projects out there, and you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Skillsets
Even if you decide that working in investment banking is not for you, it’s still an option worth pursuing. After all, not everyone wants to become a lawyer or a game developer. Similarly, some people may want to specialize in working with high-net-worth individuals or creating online communities for gamers. With so many options, it can be difficult to decide what skills you need to acquire to be able to make the most of your newfound gaming skillset.
Demeanor
Just like any other job, you’ll have to put your best foot forward and present yourself in a professional manner at all times. But when you work for a living, sometimes this can be a bit more difficult. When dealing with clients, you’ll have to put your best foot forward and show them you’re capable of doing good work. However, if you’re ever in a situation where you feel like you’re being taken advantage of, you can always just quit.
As a gamer, you should always try to play in a professional manner, as it is considered good etiquette. When playing with real money, especially if you’re playing online, being able to maintain a professional demeanor will help ensure you’re not cheated by scammers or hackers. Remember, it’s not just about winning money; it’s about having a good experience and being able to grow as a player.
Income
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for a video game tester was $34,820 in May 2019. For a video game analyst, the figure was $46,210 and for a video game producer it was $92,660. While these figures may seem high, they’re probably not when you consider the amount of effort that goes into making a video game. On average, it takes about $100,000 in investment to create a video game. Even if you’re doing everything yourself, you’ll still need to save up for about six to nine months before being able to launch.
With all these figures and considerations in mind, whether you decide to pursue gaming as a career option depends on how serious you are about making money from gaming, as there are a lot of pitfalls that come with the territory. But if this is something that interests you, then why not look into it? You may find that gaming isn’t as lucrative a career as you’d originally thought, but it’s still a lucrative enough field that you won’t have to settle for minimum wage.