30 Gaming Business Ideas You Can Start (2024)
Looking to start a gaming business but not quite sure what to start?
Data shows that more people in the US play games than ever before. Therefore, starting your own gaming business today will pay huge dividends in the future.
The good news is there are so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur and build an innovative video game small business.
If you are looking to start your own business for gamers, we put a list of the most profitable gaming business ideas you can start today!
Here they are:
1. Start a retro gaming business
2. Create a card game
If you love card games and have dreamed of starting your own business, why not consider starting a card game business? This can be a great way to bring people together and create a fun, social atmosphere while also making a profit.
To get started, you’ll need to decide what type of card game you want to focus on. Do you want to offer a variety of games like poker, blackjack, and baccarat, or do you want to specialize in a specific game like bridge or magic gathering? Once you’ve decided on the type of card game you want to offer, you’ll need to find a location to host your business. This could be a physical storefront or even an online platform.
Next, you’ll need to consider what types of services you want to offer. Some options could include hosting card game tournaments, offering lessons or classes for people interested in learning how to play or even selling card game supplies like decks, chips, and other accessories.
You'll need to advertise your business and create a strong online presence to attract customers. This could include creating a website, promoting your business on social media, and reaching out to local card game communities to spread the word about your business.
Overall, starting a card game business can be a rewarding and exciting venture. It allows you to share your love of card games with others while also building a successful business. You can turn your passion for card games into a thriving business with the right planning and dedication.
How much you can make: $500 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 25 days (?)
Designer-turned-developer creates Online Solitaire, an online gaming website that features popular solitaire games such as Klondike, Spider, and Freecell, earning about $1,500 each month from SEO and optimization tools like Moz and Firebase.
3. Start a gaming marketplace
How much you can make: $3,750 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 14 days (?)
Overgear, a gaming marketplace offering assistance and training in WoW, Path of Exile, Destiny, Call of Duty, and Valorant, saw over $8 million in revenue and a 6x increase in clients in the past year by prioritizing user experience and customer retention through SEO and Google Ads, reinvesting profits, and creating a user-friendly product, amongst other things.
4. Create a coding tool for game developers
How much you can make: $10,000 — $100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Construct 3, a browser-based game engine that allows anyone to create games without coding, has grown from a pay-once model to generating $100k per month in revenue through a subscription-based system, after launching with the help of early-adopter customers and a focus on organic growth, customer feedback, and white-hat SEO.
5. Create an online simulation game
An online simulation game business involves creating and managing virtual games that mimic real-life situations or scenarios.
These games can range from running a virtual farm to managing a city or even simulating professional activities like flying an airplane.
To start this business, you'll need basic computer skills, creativity, and a passion for gaming.
You can use free or low-cost game development platforms to create your simulations, and once they’re ready, you can sell or offer them online for a profit.
This low-cost venture taps into the growing demand for engaging virtual experiences, making it a potentially lucrative option for budding entrepreneurs.
How much you can make: $200 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Australian startup founder Igor built a virtual golf empire selling affordable golf simulators for personal and commercial use, leading to the growth of his e-commerce platform and establishment of an event hire business, all through the power of online networking.
6. Start a video games franchise
How much you can make: $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 8 days (?)
Chibi Dinos NFT, a play-to-earn NFT community co-founded by 25-year-old Sean Kelly, earned $2.4M in revenue during its initial sale, reinvesting 60% of its earnings into staffing and marketing while earning $2,005.0453th in secondary sales on OpenSea, thanks to tapping into Twitter users as part of its marketing strategy.
7. Start a video game tv/radio talk show
How much you can make: $25,000/month
Barry and Jason Games & Entertainment created Game Night in a Can, a party game made up of 30 different creative challenges and games of skill, which raised over $20,000 on Kickstarter, and is now sold in Barnes & Noble and independent stores across the US.
8. Start a coding competition for game developers
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
9. Create a game marketing website
How much you can make: $10,000 — $773,000/month
How long does it take to build: 195 days (?)
This case study follows a successful online casino website generating $500k/month in revenue and holding the world's #3 position in its segment, sharing the story of its founders' journey from starting out with SEO strategies, to redesigning their website, and diversifying their business with new products and brands.
10. Develop a gamified learning platform
How much you can make: $40,000 — $666,667/month
How long does it take to build: 82 days (?)
Games for Business created a game-based learning platform for multinational organizations that doubled its revenue in the first three years and was recently acquired after landing deals on three continents.
11. Start a board game business
Creating your own board game can be fun, challenging, and rewarding. Games are an integral part of our culture and are played by people from all walks of life.
You can create a board game from scratch with basic programming knowledge or several hours of practice. Board games are easy to manufacture, can be made from home, and can become top-rated and profitable businesses.
How much you can make: $1,500 — $30,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $300 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 10 hours/week
Facade Games has raised over $1 million on Kickstarter and sold about 80,000 copies of their board games around the world, with the goal to publish one new game a year on Kickstarter and build on their line of games in books as well as a new party game line in the near future.
12. Start a video game modding business
How much you can make: $230,000/month
Founder Kyle Capel started Hand Held Legend, a DIY upgrade shop for vintage handheld consoles, which generates an average revenue of $27,000 a month and grew 30% in Q1 of 2020, offering an array of modern LCD upgrades for various consoles and serving an audience of mostly male customers aged between 13 and 45, 40% of which are international.
13. Start a game publishing business
How much you can make: $1,250/month
How much does it cost to start: $4,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Aspiring founders looking to start a profitable business can learn from the story of how Hassan founded UltraShock Gaming, an indie game marketing firm, built up an audience of over 500,000 gamers, and generated $15k in annual revenue (with $12k profit) in just 2 years by offering marketing and advertising services for indie game developers.
14. Become a gaming content provider
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
15. Start a game development business
How much you can make: $2,500 — $1,725,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
How one founder turned a successful Kickstarter campaign into a $40 million tabletop game company with a focus on crafting a few special products each year and using social media to build community and relationships with customers.
16. Start a gaming blog
Starting your gaming blog enables you to make money and have a successful career in the gaming industry. You do not have to be a gamer to earn money through a gaming blog. You can start a blog and hire experienced gamers to write reviews of their favorite games at a fee.
How much you can make: $5,000/month
This case study highlights how a men's apparel company founded by Paul in California successfully raised $15,000 through Kickstarter.
17. Start an amusement arcade
18. Start a game testing business
19. Become a game animation designer
How much you can make: $330,000/month
This case study article is about RetroStyle Games, a game art and development studio that has over 100 projects a year and a turnover of about 4.5-5 million dollars per year, despite being based in Ukraine during the war, and provides insights into the process of building and launching a successful game development business.
20. Start a video game parlor
A video game parlor is a business that provides a space for people to play video games, either on a console or computer. The business typically charges customers an hourly or daily fee to access the gaming systems and may also offer food and drinks for purchase.
To run a successful video game parlor, it is essential to have various games available for customers. This can include the latest and most popular games and older classic titles. Keeping the gaming systems and equipment well-maintained and in good working order is also essential.
Another critical aspect of running a successful video game parlor is creating a welcoming and enjoyable customer atmosphere. This can include comfortable seating, clean and well-lit facilities, and friendly and helpful staff. It is also essential to have strict rules for behavior and enforce them to ensure a positive experience for all customers.
Finally, it is crucial to have a strong marketing and advertising strategy to attract and retain customers. This can include social media campaigns, advertising in local publications, and hosting events or tournaments.
Overall, a video game parlor can be a fun and lucrative business opportunity for entrepreneurs passionate about gaming and creating a positive customer environment.
21. Start a vr gaming business
How much you can make: $3,750 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
EDIIIE is a creative technology company that uses AR/VR/MR and gamification to design and develop next-generation experiences for global brands, with over 150 experienced employees across three offices, having successfully delivered 200+ projects to businesses worldwide, including training modules for leading manufacturing firms, delivered some of the top projects to many leading firms across industries, and are currently looking to hire for senior positions.
22. Become a video game seller
23. Become a gaming app developer
24. Start a video game reality show
25. Start a gaming accessories store
How long does it take to build: 500 days (?)
26. Create a gaming tutorial
How much you can make: $4,000/month
This case study highlights how a gamer teacher and YouTuber is earning thousands of dollars each month by teaching through Outschool and guiding players on her YouTube channel.
27. Start a video games center
28. Start a gaming gadgets rental business
29. Become a professional gamer
Are you passionate about gaming and want to turn your hobby into a business? Consider starting a professional gamer business! Professional gaming, also known as esports, involves competing in video game tournaments and earning prize money. The esports industry is rapidly growing, with revenues projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2020, according to Newzoo.
To start a professional gamer business, you’ll need a vital skill set in a popular game or genre. You’ll also need to invest in high-quality gaming equipment, such as a gaming computer and headset. In addition, you’ll need to practice consistently and stay up-to-date on the latest strategies and techniques in your game of choice. To successfully run a professional gamer business, it’s essential to have good communication and teamwork skills, as you’ll likely be playing on a team with other gamers. You’ll also need to handle the pressure of competition and maintain a positive attitude.
One way to grow your professional gamer business is by streaming your gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube. This allows you to build a following and potentially monetize your content through sponsorships and advertisements.
Starting a professional gamer business can be a rewarding and lucrative venture for those who are dedicated and skilled in esports. With the right approach and dedication, you can turn your love of gaming into a successful business.
How much you can make: $4,000/month
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
This case study highlights how a gamer teacher and YouTuber is earning thousands of dollars each month by teaching through Outschool and guiding players on her YouTube channel.
30. Create a betting game
How do I start a gaming business?
Starting a gaming business can be a daunting task, but with the right planning and execution it can be a very successful venture.
The first step is to come up with a great game concept. This is the foundation of your business, so it needs to be something that will appeal to a wide audience.
Once you have your concept, you need to assemble a team of talented developers who can turn your vision into reality.
Funding is another important consideration; you'll need to raise enough money to cover the costs of development and marketing.
Once your game is complete, you'll need to launch a marketing campaign to generate interest and drive sales.
If you can successfully navigate these steps, you'll be well on your way to starting a successful gaming business.
How profitable is the gaming industry?
The gaming industry is extremely profitable. In 2020, it generated $155 billion in revenue. By 2025, analysts predict it will generate more than $260 billion in revenue. This means the gaming industry is growing rapidly and is a lucrative investment opportunity.
- 4,818 founder case studies
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- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
- 4,818 founder case studies
- Access to our founder directory
- Live events, courses and recordings
- 8,628 business ideas
- $1M in software savings
