How to make money playing online games

As of last year, the global video game industry was valued at $196.8 billion (roughly R3,615 billion), according to Newzoo, a world leader in video game market research – placing it at double the value of the global movies and entertainment industry.

Make money playing games online 

Many a parent has bemoaned their child's gaming as a waste of time and money, but game suppliers are not alone in coining in on gaming’s popularity. eSports tournaments can prove lucrative for professional video gamers, while platforms such as YouTube and Twitch, when used to create a following, can generate millions for gaming influencers.

Opportunities abound, even for those who are not professional players. We spoke with Chris Heaton, co-founder and managing director of play-to-earn app Skrmiish, to find out more about this.

Earning via an app

“Skrmiish is an app that allows gamers to monetise the hundreds of billions of matches played across AAA games every year," Heaton explains.

The app provides players with skills-based, in-game challenges called MoneyMatches, and free-to-play tournaments with real cash prizes.

“Players can back themselves for real cash, without needing a competitor on the other side. Gamers get a skill-based MoneyMatch Rating (MMR), drawn from their performance data. They can then choose from hundreds of personalised- and on-demand challenges to complete in their next match.

“With the Skrmiish wallet, users get full control of their funds while benefiting from the speed and cost efficiency of the blockchain it's based on.”

There are, however, some restrictions, Heaton says.

“The MoneyMatch feature is available only to gamers over the age of 18, and is currently live onlyin the UK, EU, and the Nordics. Africa will be coming online in the near future.

“In the new year, SA-based gamers will also be able to enter our newly revamped free-to-play tournaments, and stand to win cash prizes based on their final positions on the leader board at the end of each event,” says Heaton.

How does MoneyMatch Rating work?

MoneyMatch Rating is a risk-adjusted model that uses performance data from the games you play to generate your rating, Heaton says.

Your MMR determines how big your prize is when you win a MoneyMatch, and adapts as you play. It allows you to generate returns on your entry fees for successfully completing your selected challenges.

Your Skrmiish digital wallet

Skrmiish has its own digital wallet, which stores your earnings safely and securely.

“When players deposit funds, they are creating a UK-based bank account that is regulated under the Financial Conduct Authority,” Heaton explains. “This means that it comes with bank-grade security and trust. Players will benefit from future utilities such as playing with, and earning, crypto, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), and other in-game assets.”

Which games are available on Skrmiish?

Currently, the only game available is the extremely popular Fortnite, but a range of top eSports titles will be available in 2023.

“Valorant is planned to go live at the end of November – it’s currently undergoing testing. Warzone 2, FIFA, League of Legends, and Rocket League are on the roadmap for the first quarter of 2023,” says Heaton.

Which other apps offer monetised gaming?

“Unfortunately, at present, there are not a lot of monetised gaming options,” says Heaton, “but with more energy pouring into the industry and online platforms like Skrmiish, more earning opportunities will emerge in time.

“Gamers wanting to compete professionally will need to work extremely hard to get into the top 1% of the market. This will allow them to compete globally and earn a good monthly salary, plus endorsements.

“Soon Skrmiish will provide adult SA-based gamers of every skill level the opportunity to make money from playing the games they love. By focusing on the casual market, which is the vast majority, we will unearth more talent and enable earning opportunities,” concludes Heaton.