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Mar 3, 2025

How to Start Investing in Gaming: The Best Ways

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Gaming is all around us these days, and you’ve likely played at least one mobile game at some point in your life.

It's no surprise that the video game industry has experienced rapid growth in recent decades, evolving into a multi-billion dollar market that draws significant investment.

As more people enjoy gaming, investing in this exciting sector is becoming more popular.

Factors like the rise of esports, AI-VR, and mobile gaming are driving this growth, making gaming a smart investment choice.

At Konvoy, we are a venture capital firm that sees the potential and benefits of gaming.

We created this guide to help you understand how to start investing on gaming.

Understanding the Gaming Market

Before learning how to start investing on gaming, it's important to understand the different parts of the gaming industry.

This industry consists of several key segments, revenue streams, and major trends that collectively contribute to its growth.

Key Industry Segments

The gaming industry is divided into various segments, including game types, infrastructure, as well as tools and platforms.

AAA Games

AAA games are high-budget projects in the gaming industry.

Well-known companies like Ubisoft make them and require a lot of resources.

Developing an AAA game can take several years and involves large teams, but the payoffs can be considerable if the game does well and becomes popular.

Indie Games

Indie games are made by independent developers, often small teams or individuals.

They usually cost less than big-budget AAA games, which makes them easier for more people to buy.

Mobile Gaming

With billions of smartphone users around the world, mobile games can reach many different types of players.

They often use a model called "freemium," which means players can buy extra items, upgrades, or more content.

Esports

Esports tournaments attract professional teams and players. They compete for cash prizes and recognition.

Major events like The International (Dota 2) and the League of Legends World Championship draw millions of viewers.

Infrastructure, Tools & Platforms

  • Tools like Unity and Unreal Engine help developers create games easily.
  • Services such as Google Stadia and NVIDIA GeForce NOW allow players to stream games without needing powerful hardware.
  • Platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store provide ways for developers to distribute their games and for players to access many titles.

Revenue Streams

In video games, there are several ways to get revenue:

  • Players can buy games as one-time purchases.
  • Players can make in-game purchases to enhance their experience.
  • Subscription services, like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus, let players access a large library of games for a monthly fee.
  • Free-to-play games can earn money through in-game ads and sponsorships.

Major Trends

Several trends are shaping the future of gaming:

  • Artificial intelligence is improving game design and enhancing the player experience with personalized content.
  • Blockchain technology is creating new economic models, such as play-to-earn.
  • Cloud gaming lets players stream games without needing powerful hardware.

Different Ways to Invest in Gaming

Video games are an exciting investment option. You can invest in different ways:

1. Publicly Traded Gaming Companies

Invest in well-known gaming companies like Sony, Nintendo, Tencent, Ubisoft, and EA. You'll gain access to established companies.

The risks include market changes and reliance on new game releases, while you can earn money from dividends and value growth.

2. Gaming ETFs and Index Funds

Consider gaming-focused ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) and Index Funds, such as ESPO and HERO.

These provide a mix of investments, spreading risk and allowing for a hands-off investment approach.

3. Private Market Investing (Venture Capital & Startups)

You can invest in early-stage gaming companies through venture capital or become an angel investor.

This option has a higher risk but offers the chance for big returns.

4. Investing in Gaming Infrastructure & Tech

Look at companies that supply important tech, like game engines (Unity, Unreal), middleware, and cloud gaming services.

These companies have steady earnings and can grow with the industry.

5. Direct Game Investments & Crowdfunding

Use platforms like Fig, Kickstarter, and Republic to support specific game projects.

This could bring big rewards if the game does well, but it also has risks like delays and failures.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When learning how to start investing on gaming, it's common to encounter pitfalls.

Fortunately, here you will learn tips to avoid them:

  • Be careful of hype cycles, especially in areas like cryptocurrency and virtual reality, which may not have long-term interest.
  • Understanding the basics of the market is crucial for making smart investment choices. If you are not very knowledgeable about video games, it might be better to invest in another industry.
  • Do you know how many followers Roblox or The Legend of Zelda have? Player engagement and community feedback are important signs of a game's potential success.
  • Keep in mind that game development can face delays and overspending, which can affect profitability, so stay alert to those issues.

Next Steps for Aspiring Gaming Investors

Just as founders seek feedback when raising venture capital, talk to gaming investors, studios, and industry experts to get helpful insights. This is not investment advice.

In Summary

How to start investing on gaming takes practice and dedication.

Always do your research to level up your investment game.

To stay updated on industry happenings, consider subscribing to the best gaming newsletters, including ours, right here.

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