Are you a big gaming fan? Do you wonder how you can make money off of your hobby? Well, we’re here to tell you that there are numerous ways you can do that.
We all want to make money off of something we actually love doing, and thankfully, in this day and age, earning your income through gaming is definitely possible. There are several ways to start making money off of this particular hobby. However, you will have to determine which way is the best one for you, depending on your personality, interests, and abilities.
In this article, we will take a look at several gaming business opportunities that you can dive into. We will do everything to present them in the most unbiased way possible, providing you with all the pros and cons. Now without further ado, let’s get started.
10 Gaming Business Ideas You Can Dive Into
When it comes to earning income from gaming, you can essentially take two main paths. One of them is pursuing the path of doing the gaming yourself and getting money for it, and the other one is trying to find ways to turn your passion for gaming into some kind of a business.
Below, we will take a look at both kinds of ideas so you can find one that suits your personality and goals best.
Start a Gaming Channel
Most kids nowadays dream about becoming YouTubers. In fact, a recent study showed that small children are more likely to say they want to be a YouTuber or influencer than to say they wish to be an astronaut when they grow older.
Even though we mostly laugh at such answers, there’s a reason that they exist. Currently, YouTubers, Twitch streamers, and other social media personalities can earn more money than most doctors and lawyers. They’re becoming the celebrities of the Gen-Z culture, and so the career of an “influencer” is becoming more and more lucrative. That’s why starting your own YouTube Channel, Twitch account, or even TikTok profile is a great way to begin earning some money off of your gaming passion. The gaming community is quite extensive, and if you truly have something unique to offer, you will soon be flooded with views, likes, and follows.
Once you reach a certain number of followers, you can join an app’s creator program and start getting paid for each video you make. Additionally, as your audience grows bigger, you will start getting sponsorship deals, and from there, the sky’s the limit. There are tons of examples of people who have made multi-million dollar careers off their YouTube channels. There’s a chance for you to become one of them.
Create a Video Game Blog
If you’re not really into the idea of recording yourself on camera, then you might consider sharing your thoughts on gaming through a blog, especially if you truly enjoy the idea of writing.
Nowadays, starting a blog is extremely easy as there are many websites that offer hosting services and allow you to easily build an attractive interface. The main thing you have to focus on here is creating interesting and engaging content and following SEO best practices so that your blog is able to reach a wider audience. It’s also a good idea to invest time into building your following on social media channels such as Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, as they can also help drive your blog.
As time goes on and you start getting traffic, you can apply for Google AdSense and start earning money from your writing efforts. Furthermore, as you write and establish yourself as a good blogger, you will begin getting sponsorship deals and possibly start earning money for paid posts.
Open a Video Game Store
Ecommerce stores and online shopping have taken over the gaming world in recent years. However, if there’s one thing that the pandemic has fully proven is that we don’t want to have a total disconnect from other human beings. That’s why opening a video game store in your local community might become a very successful business venture if you do it correctly. Having a physical location does not necessarily mean you shouldn’t have an online store to go along with it.
For example, you can offer your customers “rental video games,” meaning they pay you a certain amount and get to take home a game and play it for several days, then return it back to the store. Or you can have gaming corners, where people pay to play the game in the store without having to go home.
Over time, if you manage to create a local gaming community, this business idea could become incredibly successful. It offers a way for like minded people to get together and have some fun.
Teach the Novices
If you believe you have some skills that other gamers are lacking, you can try tutoring novice players who want to get better at their favorite game. As esports grow in popularity, the demand for “coaches” will only get bigger as more and more players try to advance their skills.
Training newcomers may turn out to be a fantastic way to meet new people while capitalizing on your knowledge and earning money in the world of professional gaming. Since most gaming is done online, this business idea can win you clients from all over the world, which means that you can start earning money without having to spend money on a physical location or any additional services.
Film Video Game Tutorials
Whenever a game comes out, many gamers start looking for the best way to play it or simply want to watch how the storyline unfolds. That’s what makes walkthrough videos and tutorials incredibly popular. If you’re good at playing games and you already have the needed knowledge to go through the toughest levels, then starting a YouTube or Twitch channel where you show people the ropes is a terrific idea.
Try to be as entertaining as possible – people want to have fun while watching, so sharing interesting information about the game or simply doing fun commentary on what’s happening is one sure way to draw a crowd. As already mentioned, once you have a good audience on the platform, you can start attracting sponsorships, and this way, you will be able to generate quite a nice income from your hobby.
Become a Game Developer
Taking things a little further, if you’re tech-savvy and you are a big gaming fan, then developing your coding skills and going into the world of game development might be the thing for you. That being said, getting a job in this industry is definitely not easy. Even though the demand is quite substantial, learning all the needed skills in order to become good at this kind of work takes a lot of time and practice. If you’re not sure how to start, then it might be a good idea to approach someone already in the industry and ask him about his journey and some tips on how you can begin.
If you’re willing to invest time and effort, becoming a game developer is worth it. Not only do game developers get paid exceptionally well, but they’re also the creative minds behind all the new games seen on the market. By becoming a game developer, you can influence the way games are made and how their plot develops, and you can have an influence on the community in a much broader sense.
Play in Online Gaming Tournaments
There are a ton of online gaming communities, and some, if not all of them, organize tournaments and other types of competitions. If you feel like you’re truly a master of a certain video game and have a competitive spirit, you may consider participating in these online challenges.
Not only is it a lot of fun to play against others, but it’s also exceptionally well paying if you get good at it. Starting off with easy tournaments may lead you on your way to participating in bigger competitions and may get you into the professional side of gaming.
Open a Gaming Accessories Store
If you’re an avid gamer, you know this hobby comes with the need for many accessories – from headsets to mice and keyboards and many other helpful items that make the experience even more immersive and exciting for gamers. Knowing the ins and outs of the gaming community is very helpful for anyone that wants to start a gaming accessories store. That inside information will help you know which products are really beloved by the people in the community and which categories of products are genuinely in-demand. That way, your store will be able to offer only the best items and the ones that attract the most customers.
With the development of ecommerce, you can start a shop without investing in a physical location at first. That will lower your starting costs, and you will be able to begin without having to invest a ton of money from the get-go. Furthermore, if you’re on a really tight budget, you can try dropshipping as a business model at the very start and then work your way up.
Start a Gaming Lounge
Alcohol, food, and gaming = a winning combination. Who doesn’t love to enjoy some time out with friends while playing their favorite games and enjoying some good competition?
These kinds of lounges are perfect for creating a strong, local gaming community, forging new friendships, and, most importantly, having fun. Typically, these types of places get filled with kids and teens who want to spend time together, playing their favorite games during the day. At night, the lounge can turn into a bar, where adults can have drinks, enjoy burgers and play against each other.
As the lounge becomes more and more popular, you can start organizing tournaments and competitions, attracting larger crowds, and making your place one where every gamer in your area wants to go.
Become a Streamer
I’m sure that if you’re a gamer, you already know that being a streamer is probably the dream job of everyone in the community. Popular streamers on platforms like Twitch and YouTube have become millionaires. They have attracted celebrities like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Drake to join them in their live streams.
There’s no secret why streaming is so popular. It’s a reality TV show for gamers, as they’re able to see how people find amusement and entertainment in the most viral games. Streamers earn their income through platforms and through sponsorship deals. If you manage to become one of the popular streamers, there’s no limit on how much you can earn.
If you have no problem being in front of a camera, if you love to talk, and you think you can entertain, then the world of gaming may gain yet another viral streamer to its ranks. The cool thing is that you don’t need a lot to start – just your laptop’s camera, a good mic, and an account on one of the many platforms. From there, it’s all about good advertising and bringing quality content.
In Conclusion
There are plenty of startup gaming companies you can become the founder of, whether that’s a gaming store, a lounge, or a tutoring website. What you choose to do depends entirely on your own interests, your skill, and on what you want to do in your life. In this article, we explored 10 ideas of gaming businesses you can consider starting, but in reality, there’s plenty more, so if you haven’t found something that fits you here, don’t lose hope and continue searching.
As with all business ventures, video game startups have to be based on something you’re genuinely passionate about. If you love bringing people together, opening a store or a lounge is perfect. On the other hand, if you’re more introverted and simply want to share your knowledge and skills, maybe training newbies or doing walk-through videos is the right path. Just remember that when it comes to side hustles, feeling joy from work is the most vital component. If you don’t love it, you will always find excuses for not doing it.