So, you love gaming and dream of getting paid to do it. Well, you might not actually be able to get paid to play (it’s possible, but difficult), but the next best thing is working in the gaming industry, and that’s a much more realistic possibility.
The global gaming industry surpassed $137 billion in 2018, meaning gaming is a colossal industry. Therefore, it’s more than possible to make a living from your passion in one way or another.
In this piece, we’ll explore the various ways to make a living in the gaming industry. These are the five best jobs for gamers in 2108.
Software Developer
Rather than being a passive participant playing games, why not learn to code and make boatloads of money to create and develop games?
Assuming you have a firm understanding of how games work and their purpose (gained through playing them), you’ll already have the foundational knowledge needed to succeed as a game developer.
If you already know how to code, that’s excellent. If you don’t, you could dip your toes through an Udemy course and take it from there.
Companies like Electronic Arts (EA) take on graduates and experienced developers alike. There are also lots of jobs in design, testing, network engineering, and other roles if you’re not directly interested in coding.
According to Glassdoor, a career data site, the entry-level salary for a software developer is $55,000. Not bad, and it only increases from there!
Writer
If you’re deeply involved in the gaming scene, you no doubt already know that there are an uncountable number of websites and publications detailing every aspect of the industry.
From gaming news to in-depth journalistic pieces, to eSports betting tips, there is plenty of room for writers within the gaming industry. If you also have a penchant for betting, pay closer attention to the eSports tips writing gigs. eSports is growing rapidly and is closing in on becoming a billion dollar industry. Check out Esportsbets24.com on csgo gambling for an example of the type of sites you might write for.
The best way to get started as a gaming writer is on freelancing sites like UpWork and Fiverr. Once you have experience and a portfolio, you’ll be able to approach large sites and have a much better shot at getting hired.
What can you expect to earn as a gaming writer? Anything between $10 and $50 per hour, depending on your level of experience and skills. This might just be the perfect ‘side gig’ for a keen gamer and could well develop into a full-time career over time.
Player
This is the job which most gamers will likely be most keen on. Yes, you can actually get paid to play games directly.
You probably already know that lots of people make a decent living (or a fortune, in some cases) on YouTube. Yet, not so many people know about Twitch, a niche video streaming site which focuses exclusively on games.
You make money on Twitch in the same way as you would on YouTube. Essentially, you play, broadcast your live stream, and get paid based on the number of views.
If you decide to go this route, it will help a lot if you are entertaining or have a gimmick. A live gaming stream with no commentary might be boring, but if you’re a flamboyant personality, are funny, or have an entertaining angle, you could build up a regular viewership, and that’s the key to making money.
There’s no way to measure average income for those playing games on Twitch. It will range from next to nothing to more money than you can count, depending on how successful you are.
Marketer
One thing large gaming companies are looking for is more players, and without talented marketers, they’ll have a difficult job attracting them.
While advertising in newspapers and niche magazines still has its place, these days online marketing is fast becoming the main way to attract new customers. If you understand how to market through Facebook, how to run Google ads, and how to create a buzz online, you’ll be able to make money in the gaming niche.
There are two ways to be a marketer in the gaming industry.
First, you could work directly for a company. Companies like SEGA still hire traditional marketing executives, and one of the perks would be attending events and rubbing shoulders with the who’s who of the gaming industry, among other things like getting the inside scoop on what’s going on in the industry.
The other way is to be an affiliate marketer. If you go down this route, you’ll be paid per lead/sale and will operate as your own business. It will be up to you how you generate leads, and you’ll have a lot of freedom. You’ll also be paid on performance, so the more effort you make, the more you can earn.
Traditional marketing jobs pay around $30,000 at entry-level but climb all the way to six figures as you progress in your career.
Tech Support
If you understand the ins and outs of a specific game and have an encyclopedic knowledge of it, you could trade all those hours spent playing for real money by working in tech support.
If you enjoy helping others, this is likely to be a rewarding career and no two days will be the same. You could be answering the phone, responding to emails, or chatting through a live chat client, helping players who have encountered technical difficulties to get back on track.
Another perk of working in tech support is that many of the jobs are remote, meaning you can work from home.
So how much could you earn as a tech support agent? Something in and around $25,000-$30,000 seems to be the agreed consensus.
Tips For Landing a Job in Gaming
Here are a few tips for landing jobs in the gaming industry:
● Know the game inside out. If you want to work in tech support (or another role) for a specific game, you better know your stuff. Play, play, and play some more. Impress the employer with your knowledge come interview time.
● Consider an internship. If you want to write or do something in the gaming industry on a freelance basis, you’ll need a portfolio and track record. This brings up the age-old dilemma of needing experience to get a job but needing a job to get experience. Gaming internships are the way to go in this regard.
● Make connections. Gaming is just like any other industry – the more people you know and network with, the better your chances. Post of web forums, attend gaming conferences, gaming jams, and eSports events near you, talk to people and ask them how you might be able to help them. Eventually, with enough persistence, you’ll get your break.
