Can You Make a Career From Gaming?

Gaming is one of the most profitable industries in North America and around the world. If you’re hoping to turn your love of video games into a career, you’re far from alone. Luckily, there are a wide variety of opportunities within the gaming industry, especially now, given the growing popularity of streaming and the continued rise of esports.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be able to create video games or have an advanced degree to have a career in the industry. Almost anyone can find a niche within the video game world if they’re willing to put in the work and consider some outside-the-box career options. If you’re interested in breaking into the industry, read on to learn more about how you can make a career from gaming.

What types of new careers are available in gaming?

While almost everyone is aware of the traditional careers available in the video game industry, it has evolved in recent years in ways that have created new opportunities for those who want to make money in gaming. One major factor in that change has been the emergence of esports and competitive online gaming. If you’re skilled enough at a game with a competitive scene, you can turn your knockouts in Super Smash Brothers into real money. You can even find sponsors or get paid to be a member of a competitive team, depending on which game you’re interested in.

Streaming has also become an incredible way for many gamers to monetize their hobby. While esports requires a high degree of skill, you don’t have to master a game in order to stream yourself playing it. The goal of a streamer is to be entertaining above all else, though obviously having talent does help. Some viewers are looking for skilled gamers to teach them how to play their favorite games, but most are just looking to have a good time.

How can you start a career as a gamer?

The first thing you’ll need to do is make sure you have the equipment you need to move forward. If you plan to use your computer for gaming, make sure that it has the specs that it needs in order to run games and stream them concurrently. You may need to replace your graphics card if it’s out of date or gets a new PC entirely. Console gamers who play online will want to look for a high-quality headset and accessories like charging docks and thumb grips. Keeping up with the latest console releases alone can get expensive. While this all may sound like a lot of money to invest, it’s important to be aware of the costs involved with starting your gaming career.

No matter what career you pursue, you’ll want to make sure you’re always aware of the latest releases and know what’s happening around the industry. Hotspawn.com is a great place to keep up with the latest esports and tech news, and you can even get the Hotspawn newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. No matter how familiar you are with a game, with how quickly a meta can change, it’s essential that you stay up to date.

The video game industry is huge and the opportunities within it have only continued to grow in recent years. Whether you like coding, being behind the camera, or being in front of it, there’s likely to be a job within the gaming world that’s a perfect fit for your unique talents and interests. If you’re good at playing games, esports offers several different ways to make money using your skills.

If you’re not interested in competing, streaming has turned the entire experience of playing video games into entertainment that anyone can participate in, regardless of their level of skill. Even super fans have found that their encyclopedic knowledge can be put to good use in commentating or in esports journalism. While it isn’t easy and the competition can be fierce, the ability to make a career doing what you love in the gaming industry is more than worth the effort.