Passive Income Ideas For Game Developers [2024]
Interested in earning passive income as a game developer in 2024?
We put together a few of the best passive income ideas you can start as a game developer today. These will help you increase your quality of life by bringing in more income for yourself or your business.
For each income idea, we’ll show you real-world examples, revenue expectations for each idea, plus some things you might need to know before you start your passive income journey as a game developer.
Here's the full list:
1. Make passive income with a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
Creating a mobile app could be a great way to supplement your income as a game developer. Developing a mobile app leverages your existing skills in coding, design, and user experience. Whether it's a game or a tool, there are numerous possibilities to create something that appeals to users on smartphones and tablets.
Imagine turning that innovative idea you have into a reality. Focusing on user experience and engaging interfaces, you could develop an app that stands out. Testing and marketing will be critical steps, but with dedication, your app could attract many users and generate substantial revenue.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
2. Make passive income with an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
As a game developer, you could create an AI writing tool to supplement your income and tap into the growing need for quality content. This tool could help generate engaging and accurate text for businesses, bloggers, and students, making their writing tasks more efficient. By leveraging your technical skills, you could develop an innovative solution that simplifies content creation and meets the high demand for constant, error-free writing.
Additionally, having an AI writing tool as a side hustle could open up opportunities to collaborate with other industries and expand your professional network. This venture not only offers the potential for passive income but also aligns with the technological advancements shaping the future of work. Imagine easing the workload of writers globally while enjoying the financial benefits and creative satisfaction that come with entrepreneurship.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
3. Make passive income with a social media automation business ($139K/month)
As a game developer, you could explore starting a social media automation business to leverage your technical skills in a new and lucrative way. This venture involves creating or integrating software tools that help clients—ranging from small businesses to influencers—manage their social media accounts more efficiently. You'll use your coding expertise to automate tasks like scheduling posts, driving interactions, and analyzing performance data.
With the growing demand for consistent and strategic social media engagement, there's an excellent opportunity to build a client base. You could focus on developing cutting-edge tools that make social media management seamless, which is in high demand. Plus, staying updated on social media trends and tailoring your services to meet client needs could make this a profitable and satisfying side hustle.
By offering these automation solutions, you could not only supplement your income but also diversify your skills and open doors to new professional networks.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
4. Make passive income with a lead generation tool ($108K/month)
As a game developer, you could leverage your coding skills to create a lead generation tool. This software or platform would help businesses find potential customers by automating the process of collecting contact details and interests from websites, social media, and other digital channels. This could save companies time and effort, allowing them to focus more on converting leads into actual customers.
By venturing into this space, you are tapping into a market with high demand, as businesses are always looking for efficient ways to grow their customer base. With your technical know-how, you could create a tool that is both effective and user-friendly, making it a valuable resource for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts. This could not only supplement your income but also give you valuable experience in a different but related tech field.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Dux-Soup is a LinkedIn automation tool that helps business owners and sales & marketing professionals generate more leads, increase efficiency, and save time; with over 70,000 users and revenue of nearly $5 million, it offers automated top-of-the-funnel LinkedIn outreach activities, targeted LinkedIn campaigns and multi-touch & personalized LinkedIn drip campaigns for lead generation.
5. Make passive income with an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a game developer, you could consider starting an AI-based business solution to supplement your income and create a new revenue stream. By leveraging artificial intelligence, you could develop tools that optimize various aspects of game development, like automating repetitive tasks such as QA testing or providing data-driven insights on player behavior and preferences. This could not only save time but also improve the quality of the games you create.
Moreover, AI can enhance business processes beyond game development. You could design AI solutions that streamline customer service, manage inventory, or offer personalized marketing, which could be particularly useful for indie developers who handle multiple roles. The best part is that many AI platforms are user-friendly and don't require a tech background, making it accessible to get started quickly. Given the growing demand for AI solutions, this venture could tap into a lucrative and expanding market.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
6. Make passive income with a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog could be a great way for you as a game developer to share your insights and expertise with a passionate online community. By focusing on specific topics within the gaming industry, such as game development tips, indie game reviews, or tutorials on using particular software, you could attract readers who are eager to learn from your experiences. This could be a good opportunity to supplement your income by creating engaging content that resonates with other game developers and gaming enthusiasts.
The process begins with identifying a niche that is both profitable and underserved. Once you've found your focus, you could create unique content like how-to guides, game development news, game reviews, and top product lists. To monetize, you could gain visibility and followers through social media, provide affiliate links, grow a YouTube channel, collaborate with relevant brands, or even speak at gaming events.
With regular engagement and high-quality content, your blog could become a go-to resource, not only generating passive income but also helping elevate your standing within the game development community.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
7. Make passive income with an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a game developer, starting an online course sales business could be a great way to supplement your income and share your expertise. You could create courses on various game development topics, such as coding in Unity or Unreal Engine, designing game levels, or even storytelling in games. By sharing your skills with others, you not only help aspiring game developers but also open up a potential revenue stream for yourself.
With the e-learning market expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, there's a huge opportunity to capitalize on this growing demand. You just need to choose a target audience, create a quality online course, and select a platform to sell it on. Once your course is up and running, it could bring in steady income with minimal ongoing effort, allowing you to focus on your game development projects while earning passively.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
8. Make passive income with a YouTube channel ($72.1K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a great way for you to earn passive income as a game developer. You could share your expertise through tutorials, give insights into the game development process, or review the latest tools and software. This not only showcases your skills but also serves as a platform to engage with a broader audience.
Over time, your channel could generate revenue through ads, sponsorships, and even merchandise. By consistently uploading high-quality content and engaging with your viewers, you could build a dedicated following. It’s an investment of time and effort, but the financial and personal rewards could be well worth it.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $333,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,250 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
This case study follows the journey of a young entrepreneur from Nigeria who started a profitable blog generating a monthly revenue of $1,500+ through sales of advertising space, sponsored posts, and information products, and shares his strategies for success including a Twitter growth challenge and guest post pitches.
9. Print on demand business ($411K/month)
As a game developer, you could tap into your creative skills by starting a print-on-demand business. Since this business model doesn't require upfront inventory, you could create custom designs inspired by your games or broader gaming culture and sell them on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy. This could include apparel, phone cases, or home goods that resonate with gamers, helping you reach a global audience effortlessly.
Given your existing expertise in design and digital art, you could quickly adapt to creating unique and trendy products that stand out. Plus, with the minimal startup costs and the flexibility to run the business from home, you could easily integrate this side hustle into your schedule. This way, your passion for gaming and design could translate into a scalable source of passive income.
How much you can make: $200 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Founder Roy Kirchner shares how he started an eCommerce business specializing in 3D printing with an initial investment of $65,000, which now averages monthly gross sales of $330,000 and has partnered with international manufacturers and local businesses while offering technical support and education.
10. Make passive income with a wordpress plugin business ($33.4K/month)
Starting a WordPress plugin business could be an excellent way for you, as a game developer, to supplement your income. Given your technical skills and problem-solving mindset, you could easily transition into identifying pain points within the WordPress ecosystem and developing plugins to address these issues.
The demand for WordPress plugins is high, and if you create a plugin that offers a unique solution, you could earn a steady stream of passive income by selling it on platforms like CodeCanyon or even through your own website. This side hustle leverages your existing coding skills and allows you to explore a different yet rewarding area of software development.
By focusing on creating plugins that solve specific needs, you not only provide value to the WordPress community but also pave the way for recurring revenue. Consider this an opportunity to diversify your skills and income streams while continuing to work in the world of software development.
How much you can make: $120 — $120,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Wheely Sales CEO Josh created a lucky wheel popup that has grown revenue from $0 to $600/month in just 4 months since getting started and has attracted over 1.1 million users to his customers’ websites, all while proving that when it comes to creating a product, competition is validation.
11. Make passive income with an online survey tool ($304K/month)
As a game developer, creating an online survey tool could be a valuable way to supplement your income. You could leverage your technical skills to develop a robust survey platform that helps businesses gather crucial customer feedback. This service is increasingly sought after as companies strive to understand their audience better and make data-driven decisions.
Online survey tools, like Typeform, show the potential for success in this niche, with annual recurring revenues surpassing $70 million in 2021. You could build a user-friendly survey builder, data collection features, and a reporting system to make your tool attractive to a wide range of businesses. This could not only diversify your income but also allow you to use skills you already have in a new and profitable way.
How much you can make: $40 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
12. Make passive income with an email marketing tool ($992K/month)
As a game developer, starting an email marketing tool could be an exciting way to supplement your income by leveraging your existing technical skills. You could create software that helps other game developers, indie studios, or even game publishers manage and automate their email campaigns. This could include sending newsletters, updates on game releases, and promotional offers to their player base.
Email marketing is a powerful way to reach audiences, and with your background, you could design a user-friendly tool tailored specifically for the gaming industry. By focusing on features like automated updates, player segmentation, and analytics, you could create something highly valuable. With the email marketing industry projected to grow significantly, there’s substantial potential for earning passive income through subscription fees from users of your tool.
Since email marketing can generate leads, boost sales, and engage players more effectively than a blog or website, your tool could become indispensable to those in the gaming community. Creating a tool like this is more than just a side hustle; it’s an opportunity to build a revenue-generating asset that helps others in your field succeed.
How much you can make: $120 — $20,833,333/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
H-supertools founder Hasan developed a set of free SEO and digital marketing tools generating $2k per month in profit using Google Adsense, affiliate marketing, selling ad spaces, and email, plans to launch a membership option, and has attained over 80k registered users and 300k monthly visits in less than two years.
13. Make passive income with a stock photography business ($14.6K/month)
As a game developer, you could use your artistic eye and creative skills to start a stock photography business. By capturing high-quality images and uploading them to stock photo platforms, you could earn passive income whenever businesses or website owners purchase your photos. Since stock photos are often used for marketing and advertising, there is a consistent demand for new and unique images.
Investing in good photography gear and spending time to learn about what makes a compelling stock photo could help you build an impressive portfolio. Over time, your photos could earn you money without requiring continuous effort, allowing you to supplement your income while focusing on your game development projects. Creating an online presence could also help you sell your photos faster and at better prices, providing a steady stream of extra revenue.
How much you can make: $1,200 — $45,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pro Photo Studio founder Tsour Lee Adato shares how she turned a $5k investment into a business that services over 500 clients annually and makes approximately $350k per year with plans to expand and become a 7-figure business while offering advice to fellow entrepreneurs to always be innovating, learning and growing, and not to undervalue themselves.
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.
