Our phones have long evolved past the point of being used only for communication. Today, phones can do almost anything, challenging our PCs in functions and allowing us to stay connected at any time. Mobile gaming owns a large chunk of the overall gaming industry, with 50% of overall global revenue from gaming going to mobile. While consoles and PCs struggle to keep up, anyone with a phone can start playing various games and potentially earn something on the side.
1. Performing in-game tasks
Mobile game designers can implement various in-game tasks and duties you can do while playing, which slowly reward you in-game or real currency. These can be anything from completing reviews between matches, doing surveys, or recommending the game to other people, known as referrals. Such programs reward players who consistently do daily tasks and contribute to the developer.
Games can also reward players who watch a set amount of ads, which benefits the publisher. In such examples, the monetary rewards are small, but consistent and add up over a prolonged period. The more you play the game, the more chances you’ll have to perform tasks that can reward you. And since these games are available on mobile, they can be played anytime you wish.
2. Online casinos
Recreational gambling games are present for players who wish to try out and learn about casino gaming. Welcome bonuses and free trials, alongside social casinos, are growing in popularity, as players don’t have to spend any money to learn, enjoy, and play casino games within them.
Even when anyone decides to play, there is no need to visit physical casinos, because players can choose from any popular real money casino apps and start playing anytime and anywhere. Phones allow us to access online gaming casinos from any point, and they have adapted their user interface accordingly. Of course, it’s not a guaranteed way to make money, but if you do win the game, the cash prizes are very real.
3. Streaming
Streaming is usually associated with having an elaborate gaming setup, but mobile gaming is changing all the established norms. Twitch is a popular gaming site for streamers, and you can stream yourself while playing games on your phone. Streaming can be done in the comfort of your own home or on the go, depending on the target audience you are aiming for. By researching which demographic you wish to appeal to and what type of games you wish to stream, you can carve out and establish yourself in a niche.
On Twitch you can earn money from donations, subscribers, and views. As your stream grows, you can also get sponsored content, and all of this happens while you are playing your favorite game on your phone. It’s worth noting that consistency is key for successful streaming, as it’s a long-term endeavor. Consistent streaming times, engaging content, cultivating your audience, and interacting with your chat are ways to make a name for yourself on Twitch.
4. In-app trading
Whenever an in-game item is rare, hard to obtain, or costs real money, it’s a sure sign that other players will want it. The exclusivity of items in games drives the price up, and trading is a social aspect and a function in many games. By playing and getting to know a mobile game, the player can differentiate between the value of its in-game items. By obtaining plenty of such items (otherwise known as “farming” or “grinding”), the player can then exchange them with other players for premium in-game currency or even real currency.
Depending on how the game is set up, such activities can be encouraged and part of the core gameplay loop. However, dedication and in-depth knowledge of the game is often the requirement for success. Gen Alpha and Gen Z spend over six hours of their total time on mobile gaming, so they are most likely to be your competition or game partners.
5. Crypto games
Some mobile games are built around cryptocurrencies, which can be both used and earned while you play them. Notable examples are Axie Infinity, League of Kingdoms, Sorare, and plenty of others, which all compete for the player’s time.
These games encompass various elements that we’ve covered. Players can obtain pieces of in-game land, currency, pets, items, or currency, which are tradeable with other players for cryptocurrencies. The rarity and power of various in-game items determine their price, but the current market value of the desired crypto also comes into play. Combining your knowledge about both is how any mobile player can make the most of their game time.
6. E-sports
Esports are another aspect that is rapidly changing as they start to encompass mobile games and competitions based around them. The standard so far is PC games, but with the surging popularity of mobile games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Magic: The Gathering, Clash Royale, and PUBG Mobile, the esports landscape is rapidly changing. Mobile players who excel at their proficiency in a game can also earn while competing with other players for tournament prizes, prize pools, and sponsorship.
