If you're a passionate gamer and would love to turn your passion into a paycheck, it's entirely possible to earn money by playing video games. There are two basic ways to do this: taking a job as a video game tester or becoming a professional league game player. Both choices have their ups and downs and should be carefully considered. The average gamer will never get rich, but if you're good, you can make a decent living off of it.

Taking a Job as a Video Game Tester

In order to get an entry-level job as a video game tester you will need at least a basic gaming education. An endless selection of colleges and universities around the country offer bachelor's degree programs in video game design. While you're studying it would be helpful to take a part-time job that in some way, shape, or form is tied to video games or computer usage. Game producers are looking as much at practical experience as they are at education.

If you're fortunate enough, after graduation, to land a few interviews with video game publishers, go into it with realistic expectations. While video game designers largely did it their own testing in the early days, modern games employ teams of testers involved in every step of the process, from initial concept to post-production. In all likelihood, you will not be able to land a testing job which simply allows you to play your favorite games for eight hours per day while filling out the minimal bug reports. Every step of game development requires testing and it starts with the very first lines of code. You may be given a project requiring you to test a single, 10-minute segment of the game; hour after hour and for weeks on end.

Video game testers must analyze a game for its hardware compatibility, visual appeal, storyline, playability, consumer reaction, look and feel, and many other aspects. Some testers, like those involved in localization testing, don't even get to interact with the game itself. Their testing involves analyzing thousands of lines of code on a computer screen. Other types of testing provide for plenty of game interaction, but limit how deeply one can delve into the game. In other words, video game testing is not simply playing games.

Earn Money Video Game Tester

One last thing to consider about choosing video game testing as a career choice: the pay is not all that great. There are so many individuals that want to get into the testing market, that companies can keep salaries and benefits as low as possible. It's a simple matter of supply and demand. So, it's not uncommon for entry-level video game testers to make no more than $8-$10 per hour. The tedious work, combined with the pressure of deadlines and time constraints, often results in tester burnout. In the video game industry, the area of testing has the highest rate of turnover.

Becoming a Professional League Gamer

Professional video game leagues are beginning to pop up all over the country as a result of developers and sponsors being willing to pay for player endorsements. The first, and most prominent, of these leagues is Major League Gaming. MLG hosts tournaments at hundreds of sites throughout the US and Canada. Some tournaments are open to anyone who registers, while other allows only qualified teams to play. If you'd like to try your hand at being a pro gamer you can start by entering some of the tournaments with open entry. If you play well and even win a tournament or two, established teams might be willing to sign you for an empty roster spot.

Successful professional teams play on a ladder system which allows the better players to move up in ranking. The most successful professional gamers can earn thousands of dollars in cash and prizes as well as endorsement deals from game publishers. Just like any organized sport, only the cream of the crop make a comfortable living as professional gamers. For the rest, it's a part-time job and a hobby.

While it is possible to earn money playing video games, is not easy. If video games are your passion you might be willing to give it a try. Otherwise, keep it as a hobby and find another line of work.