How to Make 6 Figures As A Video Game Designer? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a video game designer? Good for you! Being a video game designer is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a video game designer - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could enable you to make six figures as a video game designer by leveraging your industry experience to help others navigate their professional paths. By offering personalized guidance on resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, you could create a revenue stream parallel to your primary role.
With the flexibility to conduct sessions in-person or virtually, you could easily manage coaching alongside your design work. This venture caters especially well to those with natural motivational abilities and human resources expertise, empowering you to set your own schedule while monetizing your skills.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
2. Create an online course ($91.9K/month)
Starting an online course could significantly boost your income as a video game designer by allowing you to monetize your specialized skills and knowledge. By identifying educational gaps in the industry, you could create engaging video lessons and supplementary materials that cater to aspiring game designers, offering both self-paced and cohort-based learning options.
This entrepreneurial venture not only provides a stream of passive income but also allows you to reach a global audience of eager lifelong learners. With small startup costs and the flexibility to design your curriculum, launching an online course platform could turn your passion for information-sharing into a lucrative business, helping you achieve a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $350 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
3. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could significantly boost your income as a video game designer by leveraging your industry expertise and passion. By creating a podcast focused on game design, trends, and industry insights, you could attract a dedicated audience of aspiring designers, enthusiasts, and professionals. This audience could then translate into sponsorships, advertising revenue, and even exclusive paid content.
Additionally, your podcast could serve as a platform for networking with other industry professionals, opening doors to freelancing opportunities, consulting gigs, and collaborative projects. Over time, as your listener base grows, you could diversify your income streams through merchandise, Patreon support, and live events, all contributing to your goal of making six figures.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
4. Start a social media marketing agency ($116K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could be an effective way to make six figures as a video game designer. You could utilize your creative skills and industry knowledge to develop targeted marketing strategies for game developers, indie studios, or related businesses. By automating tasks using social media marketing tools, you could manage this side business efficiently alongside your primary job.
Developing a strong portfolio is crucial, as it will help you attract clients who are eager to improve their online presence. With the right strategies, you could clear your utility bills, finance your education, or even save for that dream vacation. This extra income stream could significantly boost your overall earnings, bringing you closer to the six-figure mark.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $7,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
5. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
As a video game designer, you could supplement your income and potentially make six figures by starting an affiliate marketing business. This venture involves promoting other companies' products or services and earning a commission for each sale made through your referral. You don't need to create or own the products yourself, so it's a low-cost way to leverage your existing marketing skills.
To get started, you could sign up for affiliate programs offered by companies within your niche, such as gaming gear, software, or even online courses related to game design. Upon approval, you'll receive unique tracking links that help companies identify sales generated through your efforts, earning you a commission for each successful referral. Given the minimal upfront investment required, affiliate marketing presents an accessible and scalable option for entrepreneurial-minded video game designers looking to boost their income.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
6. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog as a video game designer could open up multiple streams of income and help you achieve a six-figure salary. By sharing your expertise, insights, and experiences in game design, you could attract a broad audience, given that 77% of internet users read blogs. This increased visibility might offer opportunities for sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, and even selling your own digital products like game development courses or eBooks.
Additionally, a high-traffic blog could solidify your reputation as an authority in the video game industry, potentially leading to lucrative consulting gigs or speaking engagements. With about 409 million people viewing more than 20 billion pages each month, the potential reach for your content is massive. A regular blog posting routine and strong content strategy can help you build a dedicated readership, turning your blog into a substantial revenue source over time.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
7. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an eCommerce store could be a great way for you, as a video game designer, to supplement your income and possibly achieve six figures. With the flexibility and reach of an online platform, you could sell unique game merchandise, design assets, or even offer game development services to a global audience.
The lower overhead costs compared to a brick-and-mortar business make this an attractive venture without heavy initial investment. By leveraging your expertise in game design, you could create highly appealing products or services that resonate with your fanbase and other game enthusiasts. This side business could not only boost your income but also provide a creative outlet for projects that might not fit within your main career.
Moreover, the convenience and efficiency of eCommerce are booming, and setting up a website with payment processing and inventory tracking software has never been easier. This could allow you to tap into a wider audience, streamline your sales process, and scale your business to new heights.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
8. Start a freelance writing business ($65.5K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an excellent way for you to supplement your income and strive towards a six-figure salary as a video game designer. With your existing industry knowledge, you could establish yourself in niches such as game reviews, development blogs, or creating content for game-related websites. Your unique insights and experiences as a designer would be valuable, positioning you as an authority in the field.
Freelance writing offers the flexibility to work on your own schedule and from any location, allowing you to balance your primary job and side hustle effectively. By honing your writing skills, meeting deadlines, and staying current with writing tools and trends, you could attract high-paying clients who appreciate your expertise and dedication. This entrepreneurial venture could not only supplement your income but also offer new opportunities and connections within the gaming industry.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
9. Digital products ($261K/month)
Starting a digital products business could be a lucrative way to supplement your income or even transition into a primary source of revenue as a video game designer. Given your expertise, you could develop software-based products like game development tools or plugins that fellow designers can use to streamline their projects. Alternatively, you could create information-based products such as detailed e-books, courses, or video tutorials that teach essential game design techniques and best practices.
The beauty of digital products is their scalability and ease of distribution. Once created, these products can be sold repeatedly without the need for inventory or physical space, making them an efficient and potentially profitable venture. Additionally, you could build a membership site or an online community where subscribers pay for premium content, access to exclusive resources, and networking opportunities, further enhancing your income potential.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
10. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a video game designer. By creating content about game design, tutorials, and insights, you could attract a substantial audience of aspiring designers and gaming enthusiasts. Achieving the necessary 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in a year would qualify you for the YouTube Partner Program, enabling you to monetize your channel through ad revenue.
Additionally, a successful channel could lead to various income streams such as sponsored content, merchandise sales, and affiliate marketing. Sharing your expertise could build a loyal community and enhance your personal brand, potentially opening doors to consulting opportunities or collaborations with game development studios. With persistence and creativity, your YouTube channel could help you achieve the financial milestone of six figures.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
11. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
As a video game designer, you could significantly supplement your income by becoming a social media influencer. By leveraging platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok, you could attract a vast audience interested in game design tips, tutorials, reviews, and industry news. This audience could, in turn, attract brands looking to engage with your followers through sponsored content and partnerships.
Creating compelling and unique content based on your insights and experiences in game design could help you build credibility and trust within the community. This reliability could persuade your audience to take your recommendations seriously, further enhancing your value to brands. With the right strategy, establishing yourself as a social media influencer could be a lucrative side business, helping you to achieve a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
