After years of fighting stereotypes, those in the Esports world have helped reshape what it means to work in gaming. Playing games is no longer looked down on or dismissed. It’s now recognized as a real job, capable of providing stable income and even making people rich.
Pro Players
In the first half of 2021, Covid-19 caused many sports events to be postponed, leading to salary cuts for athletes. But esports, which takes place on electronic devices, kept hosting top-tier tournaments. Because of this, pro players’ salaries and bonuses remained unaffected. Plus, livestreaming brought in extra income as viewer numbers grew during the pandemic.
Over the past six months, with constant shifts in the transfer market, pro players have seen their earnings skyrocket. Top earners include SOFM, Chim Sẻ Đi Nắng, ADC, and more.
Streamers
Many people still wonder how streamers make a living. Some joke that they just sit in front of a screen talking or playing games all day, so how could they afford living expenses? But streamers work hard and their main income comes from donations.
Donations are the most common way streamers earn money. “Donate” means to give money voluntarily. Viewers contribute whatever amount they want to support their favorite streamers and help keep their channels running.
Big names like Độ Mixi and ViruSs have earned huge donations thanks to their influence. ViruSs once broke records receiving donations worth $5,000 in cash and items, about 100 million VND. Độ Mixi’s fans have gifted him over 100 million VND in a single night.
Brand Ambassadors
Advertising is another popular income source for streamers. Most well-known streamers promote products for brands. ViruSs, one of Vietnam’s top streamers, regularly works with brands like Huawei, Yamaha, Samsung, Shopee, and Honda.
The beautiful Misthy has been chosen by big brands like Milo, Coca-Cola, Snack’s Lay, and Orion. Her close friend and fellow popular streamer Linh Ngọc Đàm also signs deals with brands such as Dove, Hazeline, Nivea, Clear, and Ponds.
Gaming YouTubers
Gaming YouTubers earn money based on their subscriber counts on YouTube, Twitch, and other platforms. For example, Twitch pays channel owners about $4.99 per subscriber, roughly 117,000 VND. They also earn ad revenue from views.
So for young people passionate about esports, there are plenty of fresh opportunities to explore in this exciting field.
