| It's the ultimate gamer's dream- to find a way to | | | | major companies. Others design games to be |
| make a living from playing video games. And the | | | | played on any computer system and sell the |
| best part is- it's actually possible! | | | | games themselves. A growing market for games |
| Here are the top ways to turn your video game | | | | is online and mobile applications. Developing simple |
| know-how into cold, hard cash: | | | | games for Facebook or the iPhone could bring in |
| 1. Become a game tester. Beta testers work for | | | | loads of money if the game is a hit. |
| game companies to help work out bugs before | | | | 5. Become a Character Farmer. This is the hidden |
| the game is released to the public. Companies like | | | | underbelly of multiplayer online games. People |
| Nintendo hire game testers frequently, but the | | | | pursuing this method of moneymaking develop |
| competition for these gigs is fierce. However, | | | | characters in online games, earning in-world |
| game testing can also get your foot in the door | | | | currency and collecting accessories as they go, |
| for other jobs within a game company. | | | | then sell the character or the items they have |
| 2. Play for Pay. Some "casual game" companies | | | | acquired for real-world cash. Customers are |
| online offer cash or prizes for frequent players. | | | | people who like the game but don't want to |
| These games, often single or two-player games | | | | spend the time building up a low-level character or |
| like card games, word puzzles and mazes, make | | | | searching for paltry stashes of gold until they can |
| money from advertizing and many give out part | | | | acquire enough to buy what they want. |
| of their earnings to players. If you often play | | | | 6. Cash in on Second Life. Linden Labs' Second |
| things like Solitaire or Mahjong on your coffee | | | | Life is one of the few online ventures that |
| break, switching to Pay-for-Play sites can turn | | | | actively encourages members to create and sell |
| your time waster into a moneymaker. | | | | new things within the game world. Some |
| 3. Win money in online games. Some of the bigger | | | | entrepreneurs have made millions in real-world |
| online casual game companies offer tournaments | | | | cash by developing real estate, opening shops |
| where you can win cash and prizes, everything | | | | selling clothing or accessories of their own design |
| from gift certificates to physical items they will | | | | or holding events within the Second Life world. |
| ship to your home. There are also real-life game | | | | 7. Write about your gaming. Blogs and articles that |
| tournaments sponsored by major companies that | | | | give tips and strategies for playing popular games |
| you might try entering. You have to be good to | | | | are booming. If you style yourself as an expert, |
| win, though. If you don't get first place, you don't | | | | you can develop a following and get paid to write |
| get to take home the money. | | | | about how you consistently beat the game or |
| 4. Create your own games. Game development is | | | | other players. |
| a lucrative industry. If you can program games, | | | | As you can see, there are many options for |
| you can find a career working for one of the | | | | making money from your video game habit. So |
| majors. Or you can strike out on your own. | | | | next time someone tells you to stop playing video |
| Some developers make games designed to be | | | | games and get to work- you can tell them that |
| used on established systems that are then sold to | | | | you ARE working! |