Many of us spend free time playing games on mobile and computers. But have you ever thought you could earn money while you play ? Earning money by playing games online is now 'a thing' and making cash has never been more fun. However, before you quit that 9 to 5 job, you need to know how much you can earn by playing online games and if it can be enough to make a living:
Are There Any Professional Gamers?
There are plenty of experienced gamers earning millions of dollars each year. Here are the top earners:
Tyler Blevins, aka Ninja
Tyler Blevins, also known as Ninja, is the most popular professional player globally. He began his competitive gaming in 2009 in the "Halo" franchise. Currently, he is spending most of his time playing "Fortnite Battle Royale". His earnings from playing video games are estimated at $17 million at the time of writing.
Felix Kjellberg aka PewDiePie
Noted as the most famous 'YouTuber' in the world, PewDiePie’s early success skyrocketed from playing the video game "Amnesia". He has over 100 million subscribers on "YouTube", where he displays action and horror video game commentaries. His earnings are at $15 million, all thanks to the love of video games.
Lee Jae Dong
Dong is popular for playing "Starcraft", earning over $519,000 from 52 tournaments.
Henrik Ahnberg
Ahnberg has ranked first place in 18 tournaments, earning $287,440.80 in a single "DOTA 2" tournament.
So, How Much Money Can You Earn From Playing Games Online?
Different games come with different prizes. Some games like slots and other casino games depend on luck rather than skills. Thus, it is difficult to say the precise amount of money you can earn. The variety of games online include:
Slot Machines
Slots come in a wide array of titles from different software developers, containing distinct gameplay and themes. Slots are considered a game of luck and do not require any expertise. Moreover, each slot comes with its own jackpot.
Currently the most popular slots online include "Mega Moolah" with a minimum jackpot value of $1,000,000, "Cleopatra" at $2,000,000, and "Gladiator" at $2,000,000.
If you want the opportunity to earn from the slots, then choose one that has a good above 'RTP' (Return To Player) rate of 96%.
Other Casino Games
You do not have to travel long distances to play your favorite classic games like roulette, blackjack, etc. Instead, you can find online or mobile casino sites, which allow you to play and earn from your own home. The only thing needed from you is a deposit and an excellent understanding of the game. Just note these games have varying payouts, so make sure you check on the paytable first before gameplay.
Esports
'Esports' refers to organized video gaming where players play against each other in tournaments or competitions at a professional level. Players involved in these events are usually the best, and the winners end up winning large sums of money. Esports has grown massively over the years and according to statistics, the industry is worth $1 billion and estimated to reach $1.6 billion by 2023.
Generally, most Esports gamers gain their revenue from:
Sponsors. Most esports teams earn money from sponsors or promotions. Some of the biggest esports sponsors in the world include "Red Bull", which has sponsored "DOTA 2", "Starcraft 2', and "Tempo Storm". Other popular sponsors include "Honda", "Intel", "Comcast Xfinity", "Coca Cola" and "Mountain Dew".
Merchandise sales. Similar to traditional sports, esports players can earn money by selling merchandise related to their games, including branded jerseys, t-shirts, hoods, caps, etc.
Prize pool money. Prize pool money is the reward that gamers win from tournaments. Prizes vary from one competition to the other, but most of them offer millions of dollars. For instance, the prize pool money for The International DOTA 2 tournament was $34,330,069 in 2019 and $25,532,177 in 2018, rising steadily each year.
Content creation. Gamers also make money from creating content and posting them online on platforms like "YouTube" and 'Twitch". Using these sites, you can stream videos of you playing an online game. In turn, you can earn cash, depending on the number of viewers or subscribers.
On "Twitch", you can earn money through their affiliate program. Just encourage your followers to subscribe to your Twitch channel. Subscriptions can cost between $4.99 and $24.99 per month. The money collected is then divided between you and the company.
Tips for Earning Money
The path of becoming a professional gamer takes an investment of skills, determination, patience, teamwork and money. However, it is not rocket science either, and you can use the following tips on your route to being a pro-gamer.
1. Choose a game you want to pursue as a job. There is a wide array of different games, including first-person shooter (FPS) and multiplayer online battle arena games (MOBA), casino games, etc.
2. Practice a lot. You can play the demo first if they are available.
3.Watch the professionals play and learn their different strategies.
4. If playing esports, then get the ideal gaming gear.
5. Search for tips, tricks, and strategies.
6. Be patient! It might take time before you start seeing the profits coming in.
So, that's what you need to know about earning opportunities from playing online games. Just make sure you don't quit your day job...
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