Udemezue John
Introduction.
Making money online has never been easier, especially if you love creating games or are curious about the gaming industry.
The Unity game engine has become a popular tool for people to turn their creative ideas into real opportunities.
Whether you’re a game developer, a designer, or just someone interested in passive income, Unity offers tons of ways to earn while doing something exciting.
In this article, I’ll go over how Unity works, ways to make money using it, and some tips to help you get started. Whether you’re a beginner or have some experience, there’s something here for everyone.
Why Choose Unity?
Unity is one of the most popular game engines in the world. It powers games like Among Us, Hollow Knight, and even mobile hits like Pokemon Go.
But why is it so popular? The answer is simple: it’s free to start, user-friendly, and has endless resources to help you learn.
With Unity, you don’t need to be a professional coder to get started. It supports both 2D and 3D game creation, making it versatile for different styles of games.
Plus, the Unity Asset Store gives you access to pre-made assets like characters, environments, and sound effects, saving you time.
How do I Make Money Online With the Unity Game Engine?
Here are some of the best ways to turn your Unity skills into income:
1. Sell Your Games.
One of the most obvious ways to make money is to develop and sell your games. You can launch them on platforms like:
- Steam: A leading platform for PC games. Steam takes a 30% cut of sales but offers exposure to millions of gamers.
- Google Play Store or Apple App Store: Ideal for mobile games. Keep in mind that app stores also take a similar percentage of earnings.
Even a simple but fun game can earn thousands of dollars. For example, Flappy Bird (not made with Unity but a great example) earned its developer over $50,000 per day during its peak.
2. Use In-App Purchases and Ads.
For free-to-play games, in-app purchases and ads are common revenue streams. You can use Unity Ads to integrate ads into your games easily. Some strategies include:
- Offering extra lives, skins, or levels as in-app purchases.
- Using rewarded ads, where players watch an ad to gain something valuable in the game.
Mobile game developers often make significant revenue this way. For example, mobile puzzle games can bring in an average of $1,500 to $5,000 per month from ads and purchases.
I wrote a comprehensive guide on how to make money online with Google Admob. Check out the link to the article to learn more.
3. Sell Assets on the Unity Asset Store
If game development isn’t your thing but you’re good at creating 3D models, animations, or scripts, you can sell these on the Unity Asset Store. Developers often buy assets to save time, so there’s a big market for high-quality, ready-to-use assets.
For example:
- A 3D character model might sell for $10-$50.
- A pack of sound effects could fetch $5-$25.
Top sellers on the Asset Store reportedly earn over $100,000 per year.
4. Freelance as a Unity Developer
Many indie developers or studios hire Unity experts for specific projects. Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer are great places to find gigs. Freelancers can earn anywhere from $20 to $100 per hour, depending on their experience.
5. Teach Unity
If you’re already skilled at using Unity, why not teach others? You can create tutorials on YouTube or sell courses on platforms like Udemy. Some Unity course creators on Udemy have made over $10,000 monthly.
6. Offer Game Porting Services
Many developers want to expand their games to multiple platforms, like moving a mobile game to a PC or console. If you know how to do this using Unity, you can offer porting services as a freelancer or consultant.
7. Create Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences
Unity has powerful tools for developing VR and AR applications. With the rise of devices like the Oculus Quest and AR features on smartphones, this is a growing market. Companies are often willing to pay for custom VR/AR experiences, which can range from $5,000 to $50,000 depending on the scope.
8. Start a gaming review blog.
Starting a game review blog is one way to make money with the Unity game engine. Many game players need guides on how to successfully play their favourite game.
Starting a game-review blog to serve this purpose can make things a lot easier for them and bring in revenue for you. If writing for an existing site, you can get paid on a per-article basis as a freelancer.
If starting your site, you can monetize your traffic with ads, and affiliate marketing. I wrote a comprehensive guide on how to start a successful blog. Check out the link to the article to learn more.
9. Start a YouTube channel.
YouTube is still a popular platform where you can make money playing video games. Several avid gamers have created their own YouTube channel and stream their live gameplay or broadcast recorded videos that rely on followers and subscribers.
In addition to streaming, you can create; gameplay tutorials, engaging video game reviews and many more.
Video game YouTubers monetize with a combination of; YouTube ad income, Affiliate marketing, Brand partnerships and sponsorships and many more.
Another common monetization strategy on YouTube is to make product recommendations and use your affiliate link in the description. That way, you’ll earn a commission when anyone buys through your link.
I wrote a comprehensive guide on how to start a successful YouTube channel, Check out the link to the article to learn more.
10. Create an Online course.
Creating a video game course is one way to build passive income with the Unity game engine. Video game guides or tutorials can show others how to complete tricky levels or improve their gameplay. It’s another way to convert your expertise into cash.
After you’ve created the guides, you can post them on your social media, or sell the whole bundle as an online course.
I wrote a comprehensive guide on how to create a successful online course. Check out the link to the article below to learn more.
Tips to Get Started
- Learn the Basics Start with Unity’s free tutorials or YouTube videos. If you prefer a structured approach, platforms like Udemy have affordable courses.
- Use Pre-Made Assets Don’t reinvent the wheel. Use free or paid assets from the Unity Asset Store to speed up development.
- Build a Simple Game First Focus on small, manageable projects at the beginning. You’ll learn faster and gain confidence as you go.
- Test Your Game’s Monetization Experiment with different ad placements or in-app purchase models to find what works best.
- Market Your Game Use social media or game forums to showcase your work. You can also collaborate with small influencers to get more visibility.
Common Questions
1. Do I need coding skills to use Unity?
Not necessarily. Unity has tools like Bolt (a visual scripting tool) that let you create games without coding. However, learning some C# programming can be very helpful.
2. How much does Unity cost?
Unity offers a free version for individuals or small teams making less than $200,000 annually. There are paid plans if you need advanced features.
3. How long does it take to make money with Unity?
It depends on your goals. Freelancers can start earning within weeks while creating a full game might take several months.
4. Can I make games by myself?
Yes! Many indie developers work solo. However, you might want to collaborate with artists or sound designers to improve your game’s quality.
Final Thoughts
Making money with Unity is possible for anyone willing to put in the effort. From creating and selling your games to freelancing or teaching, there are countless ways to turn your passion into income. Start small, focus on improving your skills, and explore the different opportunities Unity offers.
What’s your favourite way to make money with Unity? Or, if you’re just starting, what are you most excited to try? Let’s discuss this in the comments!
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