How Gen Z is turning gaming and YouTube sharing into full-time careers

The Hindu

5 hours ago

Vaibhav Murarka was once juggling code assignments and controllers. A graduate in game development from Artemisia College, Indore, he now streams daily to an audience that eagerly watches him break down levels and build strategies in real time.
When asked what the hardest part of his job is, Vaibhav did not hesitate. 'Creativity is the hardest part of this profession. It's about showing up with something fresh every day for your audience,' he says.
For a generation raised on YouTube walkthroughs and multiplayer games, gaming is no longer just a hobby. It's the dream that could pay well, too. At the same time it's challenging the very definition of what counts as a 'career,' a source of income, at least for some.
For many out-of-the-box Generation-Z (individuals born from the mid-1990s to the early 2010s) youth, it reflects a deeper shift in how careers are being re-imagined. It is a move away from traditional careers such as engineering, medicine, or civil services and toward self-expression, digital identity, skill-based and creative growth.
Mostly a trend seen among males, youngsters with their funky game handles stream themselves live on YouTube while playing online games. Trending games are Valorant, GTA and Counter-Strike 2.
The gamers attract a growing audience community, with a separate female fan following too, on platforms like YouTube and Discord. During their live streams, they interact with viewers by enabling live chat, reading and responding to comments in real time.
The gamers earn money by monetizing these livestreams and uploaded videos on YouTube. Many also repurpose short, engaging clips from their streams and share them on other social media platforms to boost visibility and income.
Vaibhav says that rivalries often develop among gamers, and their audiences sometimes engage in verbal spats online. Gaming as a career today is no longer limited to monetization and community-building through YouTube or Discord. It has expanded into the organized world of esports, where competitive tournaments are held online. Gamers are first scouted or auditioned, and if selected, they go on to compete in these tournaments, ultimately either winning or losing like in any professional physical sport.
Reluctance to take the beaten path
The disinterest in conventional career paths is rooted in more than just boredom. Many young people today are exposed to a world of information and inspiration online, long before career counselling kicks in at school. 'I started playing videos games since childhood. I came to know about YouTube game streaming later and then decided I wanted to pursue game development as a course in college,' says 23-year-old Vaibhav who is a full time game-content creator.
'When you can watch tutorials on Youtube and platforms like Unacademy for certain subjects such as game development, your understanding of what's possible changes. You learn new skills and topics' said Mustafa Palitanawala, an experienced game producer from Bengaluru who has spent over a decade in the industry. He feels that the internet and availability of information has dismantled the old idea of careers.
A YouTube streamer (Jayant, name changed), who wants to stay anonymous because of his popularity, echoes this sentiment. 'Our generation doesn't just want jobs. We only work for engagement and our community.'
For both Jay and Vaibhav, their early interest in gaming turned into a calling. Despite their education and degrees, they and many others of this generation are often open and fearless to explore. 'My father owns a business here and I am also trying to produce two games of my own,' says Vaibhav.
From hubby to career
The gaming industry in India has exploded over the course of time in terms of users, an ecosystem of creators, developers, content managers, and esports athletes. What was once considered a hobby has matured into a business market. As of 2021, India is among the top five mobile gaming markets in the world with Indian gaming firms partnering with major players like Tencent, Krafton, and Ubisoft.
For gamers like Vaibhav streaming began as fun. But today, it's a full-time job that revolves arounfd mindful content planning, video editing, community interaction, and trend and audience monitoring. 'Most people think it's just us playing games. My father is still against this as a profession. But it's more like running a channel and is quite hectic,' he says.
Jayant adds that livestreaming is performance. 'You're talking, reacting, building connections with the chat, playing the game all at once. Social media monetization makes me call it a job.'
Beyond just playing, those with creative and technical inclinations are turning to game design, UI/UX development, sound design, animation, psychology and animation. Tools as simple as Adobe Photoshop and as complex as Unity, Unreal Engine, and Blender are now becoming as important as coding once was.
Skill over degree
While some like Vaibhav have formal degrees in game development, many others like Jayant are entirely self-taught. In a fast-moving field like gaming, it is your ability to build, adapt, and create that counts. 'The industry doesn't ask for your degree. I myself don't have one. Our portfolios are what sell,' said Mustafa.
One of the biggest shifts is how community validation has replaced traditional metrics of success. 'My audience is my biggest supporter,' said Jayant.
He noted that the age group of his views are from age 14 to 28. 'When someone says they wait for my videos after school, it's a kind of responsibility to be consistent.' This sense of connection, the 'responsibility' has also created mental pressure to stay relevant, constantly creative, and mentally sane.
Meanwhile, esports and competitive gaming tournaments played at regional, national, and even international levels for games has created an entirely new career track. Sponsorships, prize money, brand deals, and media attention are making esports a legitimate option for those with fast reflexes and team coordination.
Unstable venture
Even with all its potential, the gaming industry remains precarious. 'Back in my days when I used to play games and decided a career in it, there were no couches and degrees available for the field,' noted Mustafa. Vaibhav's experience added to the scenario as he mentioned he is still looking for a full time game development employment.
For streamers, income is tied to views, platform algorithms, and sometimes brand sponsorships, which none are guaranteed stable. 'You could go viral one time and be invisible the next time. There is no surety,' Jayant noted.
The pressure to constantly create, entertain, and grow can take a toll on mental health. Both Vaibhav and Jayant mention burnout, loneliness, and creative fatigue as ongoing challenges.
There's also the question of acceptance. Families and society at large are still catching up to being a streamer, developer, or esports athlete.
Mustafa, even after being in the industry for 11 years, is still compared with people having degrees. For 20-year-old Jayant who has taken a break after his school, it is difficult explaining to his relatives that he plays games and earns from it. Vaibhav says his mother does support his career choices but his father still wants him to pursue the family business of textile manufacturing.
Entering formal education
Some educational institutions are already beginning to incorporate elements of game design, creative technology, and digital art into their curriculum. Elective modules in visual storytelling, basic coding, UX design, and even YouTube content creation are making small inroads. Most educational frameworks are still designed around theoretical exams, rigid syllabi, and rote learning though.
'We need project-based learning, creative freedom, and exposure to real-world applications. Only then will students feel that their aspirations, whether in gaming, design, or anything else are valid,' Mayura Bijale, a coding instructor and computer teacher at The Orbis School, Pune, noted.
Ms Mayura says the education system must reflect the evolving interests of students. 'We have, at least in our school, introduced elements of coding, animation, and game-based learning at a young age.' she said.
But curriculum content alone is not enough. Gamers say education must also cultivate soft skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and adaptability, all of which are crucial in creative industries like gaming and other alternate paths like content creation. Mustafa says in any creative field, there is no right answer but just better ideas, and better execution.