How to make money playing video games

The gaming sector has one of the fastest growth rates in the entertainment and media space, and a 2023 report from PwC showed global video game revenue of almost $228 billion.

The Esports Innovation Lab at the University of Cincinnati’s 1819 Innovation Hub is one of the country’s leading spaces for video game research, competition and fun. We spoke to lab supervisor Gianna DiMona about the various job trajectories in reach for those who don’t want to give up gaming for their careers:

Content creation can be highly lucrative, as former Bearcat Mark Fischbach, commonly known as Markiplier, knows well. In 2022, he was the third-highest-paid YouTube star on Earth due to his gaming skills. Certain platforms have strong payouts per viewer, while others offer extra money for each additional advertisement you permit during a livestream. Either way, particularly talented, knowledgeable and funny gamers could find a career here.

The long list of careers that falls into this category includes game directors, voice actors, producers, multimedia artists, graphic designers, special effects artists and sound designers. In essence, game design entails the creative and artistic roles that go into building an appealing game.

DiMona recommends these careers to people who are passionate about gaming and have a creative flair.

“While books and movies are predetermined stories,” she said, “video games can bring a sense of involvement through choose-your-own adventures. A well-designed game can pull audiences in to experience things on a personal level.”

Crafting the perfect video game requires a surprisingly broad array of jobs, and a bachelor’s degree in games and animation is a great way to start out. Those who love gaming may want to consider joining UC’s program to seamlessly put their passion to work.

Where game design focuses on the creative parts of building a game, development dives into its technical aspects instead. Computer programmers, technical writers, technical support specialists, audio engineers and video game testers fit this category.

Those who love gaming and have a passion for the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) realms may want to consider a career in game development.

“Developers and beta testers are the hidden heroes of our favorite games,” DiMona said. “They help resolve frustrating issues that can cause a player to quit and never return.”

You’d likely be stuck playing glitchy, low-quality video games without game developers. If you’re ready to elevate the video game world while making a profit, consider the game development and simulation concentration in UC’s information technology program.

Leading video games like Minecraft, Call of Duty, Halo and Grand Theft Auto may be fun but getting them to top the charts took effort. That’s where game marketing plays a massive role.

This topic is the one you’ve probably been waiting for. Exceptionally skilled gamers might break into the professional gaming scene, although this group is relatively exclusive. You must be an elite player to make it as a pro gamer — you’ll be competing in esports tournaments, after all!

Other than winning championships, pro gamers make money through content creation. Those of all ages who are highly skilled at a particular game may want to stream themselves playing, show off top moments or create tutorials for less advanced gamers. Again, advertising revenue and money from the livestreaming platform will be your bank account’s top contributors here.

Because it’s a relatively new career path, individuals are still discovering ways to monetize playing video games. This rapidly growing field holds a massive amount of promise and innovative opportunities for avid players to make their mark.

UC is among the leading educational institutions in recognizing the value of video game careers. That’s why UC introduced both a bachelor’s degree in games and animation and a concentration in game development and simulation. Whether you’re a creative, a marketing guru or a STEM fanatic, there’s a video game career tailored just for you.

Featured image at top: Students game at UC's Esports Innovation Lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand