These days, the line between work and play is becoming increasingly blurred. For those who have a passion for video games, this presents an exciting opportunity to turn a hobby into a source of income. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an aspiring esports professional, there are numerous ways to earn money while doing what you love!
The Gaming Industry
The gaming world is growing fast, and exploring some ways teens can make money there can be really fun. It might even lead them to discover a talent they didn’t know they had! As of February 2021, Canada ranked eighth in the world when it comes to how much money esports players were earning. Our professional gamers have earned a combined total of $27,824,589.94 over the course of their careers.
YouTube
YouTube remains a popular place for gamers to make money. The site pays about $5—and up to $5,000—for every 1,000 views a video gets. Once a channel has 1,000 subscribers, and the content has earned 4,000 hours of watch time, the owner of the channel can turn on AdSense and begin making money for views.
Twitch
Twitch is another popular platform where gamers are earning money. The platform offers a range of ways to make money—through ads, subscriptions, brand sponsorships, and more. On average, a streamer with five to 10 viewers per stream would earn $50 to $200 per month, while someone with 10,000 viewers per stream could reach an estimated $30,000 per month.
Livestreaming
Livestreaming or broadcasting is something gamers can do on Twitch or YouTube, or even indirectly on TikTok. This kind of content falls under the category of “Let’s Play,” and viewers tune in to see gamers perform difficult feats or pass seemingly impossible obstacles within the game, all while providing witty, informative, or interesting commentary.
Game Reviews
If your tween or teen has a talent for both the written word and the controller, they might want to explore their options for writing video game reviews and news. Once your young gamer is ready to go after some paid reviewing gigs, they can expect to earn around $30 per hour.
Game Testing
On-demand testing service platforms like Beta Family and PlaytestCloud make it easy for gamers to sign up to become game-testers. Game-testing is a job that pays approximately the same amount your kid would make working a minimum-wage job, but if they love video games, it could be the beginning of a career in the industry.
YouTube Channel
Thanks to YouTube, anyone can launch their own channel dedicated to whatever topic they love. The platform is super-popular among gamers and while it’s a competitive place to find a niche and gain followers, YouTube offers a lot of creative freedom and more than one way to earn money from a personal channel.
Esports
Esports is growing in popularity so quickly that it’s even on the radar of the International Olympic Committee and could one day become an official Olympic sport. Esports is basically gaming at a professional level. The world’s best gamers compete against one another at events like L.A.’s E3 Expo, usually for substantial cash prizes.
Building Your Own Virtual World
Platforms like Roblox have made it easy for kids to build their own games or in-game items and earn money from them by selling them through a built-in marketplace, though age restrictions do apply. Roblox allows creators 13 years of age and older to make and sell video games or items—such as virtual Gucci bags—and earn Robux from other players.
Your Ticket to Cash in on Fun
Gaming isn’t just about fun anymore—it’s a serious money-making gig! From streaming on Twitch to writing game reviews, testing new releases, or competing in esports, there’s a ton of ways for teens and young adults to cash in on their love for gaming. With opportunities constantly popping up, now’s the perfect time to jump in, level up your skills, and turn your hobby into cold, hard cash. So, grab your controller, get gaming, and start earning while you play!
