Want to play the new World of Warcraft expansion, The War Within, but don’t want to spend hundreds of hours with nothing but in-game money to show for it?
Whether you’re passionate about World of Warcraft, or any other game, there are tons of ways to turn your gaming skills into some serious cold-hard, real-world cash.
Stream Your Gameplay on Twitch and YouTube
One of the most popular ways to make money playing video games is by streaming your gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. By building a loyal audience, you can earn through ads, subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships.
- Earnings Potential: Streamers with a moderate following (1,000-10,000 followers) can earn anywhere from $300 to $3,000 per month, while top-tier streamers with millions of followers can make upwards of $100,000 monthly.
Create YouTube Content
If live streaming isn’t your thing, creating content for YouTube from your gameplay is another profitable avenue. This could include tutorials, gameplay highlights, reviews, or even gaming news. YouTube allows monetization through ads, channel memberships, and super chats.
You will also learn valuable skills like video editing, graphic design and marketing.
- Earnings Potential: YouTubers can earn between $3 and $5 per 1,000 video views, with top creators making thousands of dollars per video.
Participate in eSports
If you’re exceptionally skilled at competitive games like Fortnite, Dota 2, or Counter-Strike, you might consider participating in eSports tournaments. Prize pools for major tournaments can reach millions of dollars, and even smaller events offer substantial rewards.
- Earnings Potential: Professional eSports players can earn from $20,000 to over $1 million annually, depending on their success and the game.
Game Coach
Many new or aspiring gamers are willing to pay for coaching to improve their skills. Platforms like Gamer Sensei allow you to offer coaching services, where you can charge by the hour to help others master their favorite games.
- Earnings Potential: Game coaches typically charge between $20 and $50 per hour, with top coaches earning over $100 per hour.
Test and Review Games
Game developers often need beta testers to try out new games and provide feedback. This can be a great way to get paid for playing games before they’re released to the public. You can also write or video review games on platforms that pay for content.
- Earnings Potential: Game testers generally earn between $10 and $30 per hour, depending on the complexity of the testing.
Making money playing video games online is no longer a pipe dream. Whether you’re interested in streaming, creating content, trading in-game assets, competing in eSports, coaching, or testing games, there’s a path for you. With dedication and skill, your gaming hobby can become a significant income stream.
World of Warcraft and World of Warcraft: The War Within are trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment
