Gaming for a living has always seemed like an unrealistic teenager’s dream, but it’s no longer just a fantasy. E-sports have gained increasing popularity in recent years, and now there are thousands of young adults who make six-figure salaries from playing games.
A gamer is normally a professional player that is paid by a company or sponsor to play games for a living. Whereas a streamer is someone who streams online content and mainly makes their money from donations, adverts, and affiliate income. Although a streamer, in general, doesn’t have to stream specifically gaming content, the majority do it. In 2019 this has been the most popular way to be involved in the gaming space and people love watching high skilled gamer’s streams.
There are multiple ways to make a career in gaming. I’ll explain each one in detail.
1. Become an Esport Professional Player
A pro gamer is a full-time competitive player who is paid to play video games. It’s almost like a career in the gaming field. Most professional players are normally paid by their teams or sponsors to compete in the biggest esports tournaments around the world. Many of these tournaments offer huge cash rewards for the winners and can make up the bigger part of a seasoned gamer’s earnings.
How do eSports teams and players earn money?
- Cash prizes. There is no shortage of prize money available to eSports gaming participants, with single-game cash earnings up to ₹10 thousand to ₹ 2 Crore. Some high-level competitions, like Dota 2 International, earns $10 million to the competition’s winning team.
- Team salaries. esports companies offer regular salaries to team participants, with average salaries in the ₹20,000-to-₹100,000 monthly in gaming companies of India and the U.S. Top players can earn much more, up to $15,000 for a single competition plus bonuses. Some teams even offer their players perks like health insurance and retirement plans.
- Sponsorship money. With major global brands in the picture, eSports is raking in the sponsorship cash. Some of that money goes into a competition and cash prizes, and some go directly to team ownership.
- Digital streaming. Online competition has also spawned a highly effective and organized network of digital streamers who can earn and show eSports competitions via platforms like Rheo. Advertising and investment money are also starting to flow into the eSports arena.
- Merchandising and tickets. Merchandising and tickets are among the top tier leaders in eSports payouts. That said, merchandising usually follows the ascension of a sport taking an example of PUBG, Freefire type game & creatives which people love games love to wore. Expect to merchandise to climb as gaming continues to flourish on a global stage.
2. Become a Streamer
A streamer can be a professional gamer as well as an entertainer.
1. The professional gamer
The professional gamer is one of the most famous kinds of streamers since they are the best players in the world. Outside of streaming, they earn their fame by being the best players in their respective games.
e.g. Dynamo Gaming, Mortal & other big esports players.
Reasons why viewers watch this type of streamer:
- The best of the best; viewers spectate professionals in hope to improve their own play by copying their playstyle or strategies
- Professional players are the celebrities in the gaming world and with fame comes with a lot of fans
2. The Entertainer
These types of streamers maintain their viewers and subscribers mainly by entertaining their audience. They do not necessarily need to be the best or even good at the game they play as long as the viewers are entertained.
Entertainers can showcase their streaming and can earn money through streaming videos on different platforms
This is why our made in India platform Rheo is here to serve you many opportunities.
eg. Carry Minati
Reasons why viewers watch this type of streamer:
- Lots of interaction with the viewers ranging from answering questions, reading the chat, and making humorous or interesting commentary
- Usually has a streaming schedule to maximize viewers since the viewer knows when to tune in
Now, all you buckle up and choose what you want to get categorized in!
Tips on choosing gaming as a career
GRAB ATTENTION, GROW AUDIENCE on RHEO!
Check out this 10 tips to grow your gaming community on Rheo here: https://medium.com/read-rheo/10-tips-to-grow-your-gaming-community-on-rheo-29aa8ded2d18
Other Ways to Make Money in Gaming
Players aren’t the only earners in the eSports world. Other gaming participants are cashing in, too:
- Broadcasters. Like any entertainment sporting event, announcers and color commenters are needed to call the action. Those who do so can earn up to ₹50,000 per broadcast.
- Coaches and managers. Gaming teams need strategic help that eSports coaches provide. The best coaches can earn over ₹800,000 annually.
- Media and writers. No esports contest is complete without coverage of the game that’s read by gaming fans all over the world. The money’s not great, but if you love eSports and want to write about it, you can earn about ₹600,000 annually doing so.
- Marketing specialists. To expertly sell eSports to the global masses, marketing specialists plugged into the gaming world.
- Social media experts. To get people talking about eSports online, social media experts can earn about ₹10,00,000 annually.
- Event manager. Gaming event specialists, who set up and run the actual contests, can make up to ₹20,000 every event.
Career is something that should be loved to do by heart!
Love what you do!
GROW WITH RHEO!
