It seems that more and more people are starting to make huge amounts of money from gaming nowadays, and as long as the gaming industry keeps growing, more gamers will become popular, and more will start earning a strong income. But how do gamers make money online playing games and how long does it take to actually make your first bucks?
Gamers can make money online and from the comfort of their homes with a quite a few different ways, but no all fit the purposes of each person, and not each way can generate the same amount of money. The way you choose will change the budget that you’ll need to spend to start making money, how easy it will be, and how fast you’ll see your first income coming in. I’ll do my best to explain each of the most popular ways that you can make money gaming in 2025, and their pros and cons.
1. Start a YouTube channel (arguably the best way)
It’s not a secret that YouTube is the golden paradise for gamers and content creators alike, and one of the best ways to start making money gaming without spending a single dime. Why’s that? Well, starting with the most important reason of them all: You don’t need a budget, as anyone can simply create a Google account and start a YouTube channel completely for free.
Now, if you want to make money on YouTube, researching, analyzing, and creating new content are three of the best ways that you can do that. Consistency is the key here, especially if you did your research and you already know what content to create. There are many ideas behind it too, with many choosing to stream their videos live on YouTube, others focusing on publishing short videos, long videos, guides, funny content, or even walkthroughs that show the whole campaign of a game.
You can also cover news and updates about the most popular games, or talk about upcoming releases and focus on theories, rumors, leaks, and whatever comes in between. If you’ve spent hours upon hours playing a specific game that still has a huge audience, you can start making tutorials/guides about it, explain how certain things work, and even about what you like and hate the most about it.
Pros of starting a YouTube Channel:
- You can start completely for free.
- YouTube provides unlimited free video storage.
- You can make long and short videos profitable with ads.
- You can use affiliate marketing to earn even more.
- You can benefit from the subscription-based model.
- You can accept donations.
- YouTube has over 2.70 billion monthly visitors.
- You can make money gaming with sponsored content.
Cons of starting a YouTube Channel:
- There’s a huge competition among gamers on the platform.
- You’ll need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watching hours in the last 12 months if you want to monetize your content.
- Many songs and soundtracks from popular games may get your videos unable to get monetized, or you’ll be loosing money by sharing your revenue with those companies.
- Based on your content, you may have to invest in extra equipment such as a camera, microphone, and video editing software.
Other than that, meeting the above requirements shouldn’t be that hard, especially if you produce high-quality and unique content. When it comes to starting completely for free, you can use your phone to record the videos, invest in a mediocre microphone for a cleaner sound, and use free video editing software to edit your videos, such as DaVinci Resolve.
2. Start a gaming blog (slowest way to make money but great for passive income)
Blogging is still alive and well, and although bloggers do face serious problems with Google’s Core Updates, starting a blog can still make you lots of money and a strong passive income that no other way can. You can start a blog for less than $100 per year, and nowadays you can do that without having any coding knowledge or previous experience.
First things first, if you want to start a gaming blog, you will need a few things, including a domain name, a web hosting plan, and a good platform. Over 40% of all websites are currently using WordPress as their main platform, and you can start within minutes by getting a plan from Hostinger, BlueHost, or NameCheap. Another great option for blogs is Ghost, but a bit more expensive to start with, while Squarespace and Wix are also great choices but more limited.
Bloggers make money gaming in various ways, from reviewing their favorite titles, creating guides and step-by-step tutorials, walkthroughs, and comparing games to even publishing sponsored content and monetizing their articles with affiliate links. If you have lots of articles that get organic traffic and you have already monetized, you should expect to create a strong passive income, especially if you remain consistent at creating new content and updating your older one whenever needed.
Pros of starting a gaming blog:
- You can start within a few minutes, there are many gaming themes to choose from, and it should cost less than $100.
- Unlike videos or other formats, articles are more preferred for people who don’t like having a camera or a microphone in front of them.
- There are many ways that you can make money with blogging, and you can focus on creating a strong passive income.
Cons of starting a gaming blog:
- Organic traffic from search engines such as Google has been the biggest problem overall, and most bloggers will face lots of issues when it comes to learning about search engine optimization (known as ‘SEO’).
- A new blog usually takes lots of months until it starts making enough money to justify the time you put into it.
- Writing high-quality articles means that you have a lot of time to invest.
New gaming blogs are created very often, and as people are still looking for new talents that they know what they write about, blogging can still be your salvation to a new career.
3. Star a gaming podcast channel (easy and free to start, difficult to archive)
As the years go by, podcasting becomes more and more popular. Nowadays you hear all about podcasters closing huge sponsorships and streaming platforms constantly trying to get more and more exclusive content by paying podcasters more money. The good thing about podcasting is that there’s always something to talk about, and hundreds of niches to choose from, and if you combine these two with high-quality and unique content, you can archive many great things.
Although vlogging and blogging are among the most popular choices, podcasting can be used in both of these formats. You can promote your episodes through your YouTube channel, and even write their scripts or embed your episodes on your blog, which is a great way to externally promote them. Many podcasters nowadays also using video podcasts as a way to gain more listeners and followers, using Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram as a way to upload short versions of their episodes, redirecting users either to their YouTube channel or the streaming platform of their choice.
You can also start a podcast channel completely for free – as long as you have a device that can record your voice as clean as possible. Platforms like Spotify for Creators let you create an account and upload as many episodes as you want completely for free, and they’ll also promote your channel to other streaming platforms. This is great if you’re starting out, but as many professional podcasters tend to do, is choose a premium platform that gives them even more options, including more advanced analytics and ways to earn money or promote their episodes even further.
Making money with a gaming podcast usually means talking about or reviewing new AAA titles, getting more in-depth with each episode, and even interviewing game developers and companies alike. Many sponsors will also come and publish their short ads to your channel, meaning that while you’re talking, an ad will start playing (whether you created it for a company or they gave it to you).
Pros of starting a gaming podcast:
- You can start completely for free and upload as many episodes as you want with platforms such as Spotify for Creators.
- You can make money in numerous ways, including playing sponsored ads, monetizing your episodes with affiliate links, and uploading them on third-party platforms such as YouTube.
- You can basically start your first episodes using your mobile device, and edit them using free software such as Audacity.
Cons of starting a gaming podcast:
- If your phone can’t record clean sound, you may have to invest in order to get a good microphone – podcasting is all about hearing the podcasters with as high-quality as possible.
- Sound editing may not be for everybody, and it surely has its own difficulties. While free audio editing software can do the “trick”, podcasters usually end up getting a premium app to make their lives easier and work faster.
- Podcasting may not be the most popular type of format of them all, but that doesn’t mean you won’t face huge competition from other gaming podcasters.
Overall, podcasting is a great way to relax, talk, and gain an audience without having a camera in front of you. Some may choose to use a camera to start a video podcast, which is another great way to gain more followers from other platforms, but you can alternatively create a sound wave effect and show that instead of you talking.
4. Start a Twitch live stream channel (time-consuming without many chances)
Game streamers have lots of chances when it comes to building an audience and making money gaming, but the competition is vastly overrated. While many people think that they can get in the first results when someone looks up for their favorite game, it’s way harder than it looks, and many end up live streaming for months without having more than 5-10 viewers – at best.
While there are a few gaming streamers that found themselves becoming more and more popular thanks to their live streaming on platforms such as Twitch, most of the other streamers didn’t even had a chance, which makes this type of way a whole lot harder (but not impossible) than, let’s say, vlogging, blogging, or podcasting. Building a strong following on such platforms means that you have all the free time in the world that you can easily invest for playing games and streaming them live, while you find new ways to entertain your live audience.
Live streaming also is heavily dependent on your PC’s hardware. New AAA titles require even greater CPUs and GPUs, more RAM, better cooling, and on and on and on. Some streamers tend to only live stream for specific games that they’re very good at, while others are trying their lack with various games, seeing which of them are bringing them the most visitors. Constantly investing for the best hardware and making sure that you can stream in the best and highest quality is not easy, and surely not cheap.
Pros of starting a gaming live streaming channel:
- With subscriptions, donations, sponsorships, and ads, you can turn your hobby into a potential income source.
- Twitch offers a platform to connect with like-minded gamers and build a community of followers who share your interests.
- Engage with other streamers and game developers, opening up new opportunities and collaborations.
Cons of starting a gaming live streaming channel:
- Building and maintaining a channel takes significant time and effort, often requiring a regular streaming schedule to grow your audience.
- Dealing with hardware, software, and connectivity issues can be frustrating and require a good understanding of streaming technology.
- The platform is highly competitive, and it may take a while to stand out and attract a consistent audience.
- As a public figure, you’ll need to manage your privacy and be aware of online safety concerns, including dealing with trolls or harassment.
- Earnings from streaming can be unpredictable and may take time to become a stable income source.
Live streaming in not easy, and it’s arguably time-consuming, but if you love playing games and interacting with other people live, then it’s a great and very entertaining way of trying to make money gaming.
5. Participate in huge gaming events (for professional gamers)
If you think you are “the best of the rest” when it comes to a specific game, you can always take your chances and go play in a gaming tournament or event. Usually, those tournaments end up with the winner getting cash prizes, gaining more popularity, and even getting found by gaming companies and sponsoring their games or gaming products.
Unfortunately, when it comes to gaming tournaments for unknown gamers, you’d have to pay for the whole price to get in, and mostly likely the airplane tickets, hotel, and wherever you choose to stay for those days if it’s happening in another country – and that’s if they accept you in the first place. You can start by looking up the event details, including dates, location, and schedule, and make sure you register in advanced as many may have limited spots.
If an event does not provide the necessary gaming equipment, you’ll have to make sure that you got everything in place, from gaming consoles and controllers to anything peripheral-related. It’s not easy, it’s not cheap, and there’s no guarantee for anything, but the only stopping you is yourself.
Pros of getting to gaming tournaments as a professional gamer:
- You’ll gain new gaming experiences, meet new people, and possibly collaborate with companies if you’re good at a specific game.
- Participating in gaming events can be a great way to showcase your skills and immerse yourself in the gaming culture.
Cons of getting to gaming tournaments as a professional gamer:
- Game tournaments are happening less often, and you’ll have to constantly look for up any new events, early sign-ups, and the rules and guidelines of that specific event.
- Based on the location, you may end up paying for everything, which is usually expensive.
- It’s a fully competitive world with no guarantees whatsoever.
For many gamers, building a strong audience and start making money gaming first is important, as it can both pay for all the expenses and help you meet other gamers, industry professionals, and game developers a whole lot easier.
6. Work for a video game company (many skills needed)
Making money gaming doesn’t always require to actually play games. If you have the necessary skills, you can land a job in a video game company, which often pays handy and usually doesn’t require a specific location, as most of those working remotely. Depending on the role you’re aiming for, you’ll first have to create a resume, and then find a great way to somehow showcase your portfolio.
If you’re new and just researching, there are many job positions in game companies nowadays, including in the creativity and innovation space, where you need to be able to come up with engaging concepts and mechanisms, craft compelling narratives and characters, finding and addressing all the challenges, issues, and aim for a balanced gameplay, and so much more. If you feel more like a programmer, then learning programming languages such as C++, C#, Python, and Java are important.
There are also software engines that are super important right now, and some of the most popular ones include Unity and Unreal Engine, so knowing how to use them and create models and environments can easily help you get a better spot. You can also focus on the 3D department, such as drawing, animating, and creating 3D models in general, while the sound designers and composers are also important as they bring dynamic sound effects and unique soundtracks to our favorite games.
Depending on each company, they may also be looking for game testers, producers, or project managers. From testing your favorite games to managing the timelines, budgets, and resources, each game company has a team for everything, and each role requires a combination of technical skills, creativity, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Pros of landing a job in a video game company:
- Depending on the role you aiming for, you may need lots of skills.
- Landing such as job means that you turned your passion into a career.
- The gaming industry offers a wide range of roles, from development and design to marketing and community management.
- Creating games that entertain and engage millions of players worldwide can be incredibly fulfilling.
Cons of landing a job in a video game company:
- The gaming industry is known for its demanding schedules, especially during crunch times leading up to a game’s release.
- The industry can be volatile, with studios sometimes facing closures or layoffs.
- High-pressure environments and tight deadlines can lead to stress and burnout.
- The field is highly competitive, and landing a job can be challenging.
Do keep in mind that, while some roles such as senior developers, managers, and executives can earn lots of money through the gaming industry, entry-level positions may offer lower salaries compared to other tech industries. Weighing these factors can help you decide if pursuing a career in the gaming industry aligns with your personal and professional goals.
7. Make money by testing and playing games ( the less profitable way)
If you’re up at making from $100 to $600 each month at best, then you can use various applications that let you play and test games to earn a few bucks. You won’t get rich by using this method, but if you’re only looking at making a couple of money gaming, that’s another way to do that. Those services usually require you to sign up and start spending time downloading, playing, and testing various games, mostly in the mobile world.
There are a few people who not only managed to make a small monthly income from those services while entertaining themselves by playing different games, some of them even are using this way to pay for their monthly rent or groceries, which is not that bad at all. Some may even use this way to for their games – by getting pay for playing games and testing them, they make enough money to buy their favorite AAA titles, bundles, and/or pay for their monthly subscriptions without spending anything from their own pockets.
Some of the services that they pay you to play and test games include Mistplay, Gamehag, PlaytestCloud, Cash’em All (for Android users only), Solitaire Cash, and GameRound, among many others.
Pros of making money by playing and testing games:
- You can sign up and start quickly and completely for free.
- There are many applications and websites to choose from.
- You don’t need any previous experience to start.
Pros of making money by playing and testing games:
- You won’t be making enough money for the time spent.
- Some of them may stop giving you new games to play or test after a while.
- Some of them may require a limited amount of money to let you widthraw.
- Many may be a scam, so look them up before using them.
Like I said, this option won’t make you rich, but if you want to earn a few rewards and make a few bucks as you try different games or providing feedback, then they’re great options.
Now, in case you’ve been wondering, I could mention that you can actually sell your Steam, Epic Games, Ubisoft, and Rockstar Games accounts, or even one from a specific game, but that’s illegal in most cases. Basically, you cannot sell something that you do not own, and buying a game key doesn’t necessarily mean that you own the title, you’re just paying to enjoy it for personal reasons only.
Are you looking for ways to make money as a gamer? Do you know a person who has turned their passion into a career in a unique way? Let me know in the comments down below!
