Approximately 59 million American adults participated in the gig economy in 2020. Side hustles are becoming an increasingly popular means of growing one’s revenue stream. And in an era where technological innovations have facilitated the monetization of anything and everything, your passions and hobbies can transform into another potential source of income, and you can easily find some side hustles and jobs for gamers.

This is precisely the story of many, such as Matt Friel, a video game enthusiast who now runs a multi-million dollar gaming e-commerce business, and Barney Morris (aka Alphari), a British League of Legends fan-turned-pro-gamer. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a competitive player, various side hustle opportunities can help you monetize your passion for gaming. So, grab your controller and some popcorn as this article presents 9 side hustle ideas for gamers keen on leveling up their earnings.

1. Game Streaming: Turn Your Gameplay into Entertainment 

One of the most popular side hustles for gamers is game streaming due to how easy it is to enter the world of streaming. All you really need to become a successful streamer is a camera, microphone, stable internet connection, and your favorite game. Platforms like Twitch and Facebook Gaming allow you to showcase your gameplay to anyone with a device and access to streaming platforms.

By entertaining viewers with your skills and personality, you can earn money through ads, sponsorships, and viewer donations. Building a dedicated community of followers and engaging with your audience is the secret to becoming the next Ninja or Pokimane.

2. Esports Tournaments: Compete for Cash Prizes

For highly skilled gamers, participating in esports tournaments can be a highly lucrative venture and one great source of jobs for gamers. Many games, such as Fortnite, League of Legends, and Valorant, organize competitive events with hefty prize pools.

In fact, the record for the largest prize pool, previously held by Dota 2’s 2021 International figure of $40 million, is set to be broken by Saudi Arabian esports tournament organizer Gamers8 with a prize pool of $45 million. So, turn on that console, sharpen those gaming skills, form an unstoppable team, and compete against other talented players for a chance to win not only cash prizes but also recognition as the greatest team of all time in the eSports community.

3. Game Testing: Get Paid to Play

If you enjoy trying out new games and providing feedback, then game testing could be your next best side hustle. Game developers often recruit testers to identify bugs, provide suggestions, and test gameplay mechanics before a game’s official release to the general public.

Your suggestions can contribute to improving the gaming experience and simultaneously allow you to earn money while enjoying exclusive, unreleased titles. Platforms such as G.Round allow users to earn rewards for providing early feedback to indie game developers from the comfort of their homes. 

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4. Game Coaching: Share Your Expertise

If you’re skilled at a particular game or have valuable gaming knowledge and skills to share, consider get one of the best jobs for gamers: offering game coaching services. Many players are eager to improve their gameplay and are willing to pay for personalized coaching sessions.

You can provide one-on-one sessions, create video tutorials, or offer group coaching to help others improve their gaming skills. Platforms such as Gamer Sensei, WeCoach, and Metafy help connect users seeking game coaching for a variety of different games with skilled coaches. 

5. Content Creation: Showcase Your Creativity

Content creation is one of the most popular jobs for gamers. It offers numerous opportunities for gamers to monetize their skills and personalities. Whether it’s writing strategy guides for your favorite video game, producing video tutorials on the latest gaming news, or entertaining viewers with gameplay videos, platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Patreon provide avenues to monetize your content through ads, sponsorships, subscriptions, and viewer donations.

You can also earn income through collaborations with gaming-related brands by creating sponsored posts featuring their products or services, becoming a brand ambassador, or earning commissions for every sale made through affiliate marketing programs.

6. Game Design and Development: Turn Your Ideas into Reality

Game design and development can be a rewarding side hustle for creative gamers with a knack for programming. Freelance opportunities found on platforms such as Upwork or collaboration with indie game developers and game studios can help you contribute to the creation of games. From designing entire game universes and characters to coding mechanics, you can turn your passion for game development into a potentially profitable endeavor.

7. Virtual Currency Trading: Profit from In-Game Economies

Some games have virtual currencies or in-game items that hold real-world value, and it’s a perfect example of jobs for gamers. For example, Axie Infinity lets players buy, trade, and battle creatures called Axies. Axie creatures are non-fungible tokens (NFTs) that users can earn for playing the Axie Infinity game.

Outside of breeding and battling Axies, however, lies an incredibly lucrative NFT economy whereby AXS gaming tokens can be bought and traded. One of the most expensive Axie Infinity tokens bought is the rare Axie #2655 (aka “Sir Gregory”) for more than $800,000 (369 ETH). Engaging in virtual currency trading allows you to buy, sell, and trade in-game assets to earn profits. Keep an eye on market trends, rare items, and gaming communities to capitalize on opportunities presented by these virtual economies.

8. Gaming Journalism: Report on the Gaming Industry

If you feel in tune with your inner Shakespeare, then you may want to consider pursuing gaming journalism as a side hustle. Contribute articles, reviews, or news pieces about the gaming industry to blogs, websites, or magazines. Some publications, such as IGN and GameSpot, offer compensation for freelance writers, providing you with an opportunity to share your insights and opinions while earning money.

9. Gaming Merchandise: Branding Your Passion

Capitalizing on the popularity of gaming is one of the most popular jobs for gamers, you can create and sell merchandise related to popular games or gaming culture. Whether it’s t-shirts, mugs, accessories, or custom artwork, online marketplaces like Etsy or your own website can help you reach potential customers who share your passion for video games.

With the rise of innovative technologies, it is now easier than ever for gamers to turn their passion into a profitable side hustle. Whether you choose to entertain viewers through streaming, compete in eSports tournaments, offer coaching services, or design the next biggest game, the possibilities for gaming-related gigs are endless. So, grab your controller, unleash your creativity, and embark on a journey to level up not only your gaming prowess but your earnings.

Turn your passion into profit!

As you can see, there are many ways to turn your passion for gaming into a profitable side hustle. But even if you’re already making money from gaming, it’s important to manage your finances wisely. That’s where the Ugami debit card comes in. With this debit card for gamers, you can earn even more money while doing what you love.

The Ugami card rewards you for every dollar you spend with Ugipoints, which you can redeem for gaming goodies like gift cards, video games, merchandise, and even cash back.

So, if you’re looking for a way to level up your earnings and your financial management, be sure to sign up now to check out the Ugami debit card. You won’t regret it!

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