Jobs related to Classic Gaming

[jhd]

 

The recent discussion about what constitutes a homebrew game got me to thinking: is it possible to have full-time employment related to classic video games? Something that generates enough income to support oneself?

 

The most obvious example is running a retrogaming store, though I understand that most (if not all) establishments sell modern games as well. There is significant risk of failure, as well as the capital requirements to get established. It seems that this is a declining market, however, as many places have closed in recent years.

 

There used to be a fellow here in Canada who operated a console repair and modding business. He worked on both classic consoles as well as modern systems. The business started part-time, it became full-time for a few years, and then it folded altogether. I do not know why the business closed: economic factors, mismanagement, or something else. 

 

Are there any other full-time classic gaming-related jobs?

 

[fiddlepaddle]

Organizing and promoting retro game shows, toy shows, collectible shows. Covid shutdowns killed this business, but it's probably a good time to get back into it.

Be a journalist covering the hobby. But you'd have to market yourself like crazy, I think.

Get a job with one of the online resources, maybe supporting web software (for example, price tracker sites, review and cheat sites, etc.)

The thing to think about, in my opinion, is that it might be a shrinking market from here on in...

[Wayler]

I hear this youtubing thing is also sometimes referred as a job for some people. There are tons of retro channels but it's hard to tell how many are actually making a living from them.

[roots.genoa]

I know a homebrew publisher that does that for a living.

[Cebus Capucinis]

I know a lot of people seem to make a "job" out of repeatedly reciting the following possibly religious or mystical incantation:

 

Hey guys

Be sure to hit the like and subscribe button

And ding that bell

It really helps me/us out

And now

On to today's sponsor 

 

I suspect this is a cantrip that lowers the IQ of all who hear it, as evidenced by the gormless, distorted facial features representing a slack-jawed O face that seems to operate parallel to such spells, but I've fortunately found the counter spell or ward to such magic.

[jhd]

9 hours ago, roots.genoa said:

I know a homebrew publisher that does that for a living.

 

Wow! About how many games do this person produce in the course of a year? I would expect that there would have to be a very high volume of output to ensure a steady income stream (as obviously not all releases are going to be popular and sell lots of copies). 

[zzip]

13 hours ago, Wayler said:

I hear this youtubing thing is also sometimes referred as a job for some people. There are tons of retro channels but it's hard to tell how many are actually making a living from them.

It can be if you can attract enough viewers to justify ad revenue and/or Patreon/merch income.

 

People sneer at Youtube as a real job, but many creators put in an 8-hour day or more shooting, reshooting and editing videos and doing other promotion.   Many have hired staff to help them.

 

 

[roots.genoa]

2 hours ago, jhd said:

 

Wow! About how many games do this person produce in the course of a year? I would expect that there would have to be a very high volume of output to ensure a steady income stream (as obviously not all releases are going to be popular and sell lots of copies). 

I have no idea, but I assume it's a lot, yes. And I don't even know if he makes a decent living anyway.

[Keatah]

On 4/3/2023 at 8:25 AM, jhd said:

It seems that this is a declining market, however, as many places have closed in recent years.

On 4/3/2023 at 7:46 PM, fiddlepaddle said:

The thing to think about, in my opinion, is that it might be a shrinking market from here on in...

 

I'd say it's a maturing market. Most people nowadays either have what they want or they're looking to round out a collection or get spare parts. For example I've long ago switched into maintenance mode, only buying the occasional spare part or manual. I no longer hang on the edge of my seat watching auctions to the last second.. Instead of spending thousands of dollars every year I may now only spend a few hundred.

 

Thankfully I had picked emulation as my vehicle of choice, because it doesn't require much expenditure beyond occasional PC upgrade, which most people do from time to time anyways. This way I don't have to spend hours upon hours at thrift shops or arranging trades online. Or doing the auction thing like I said a moment ago.

 

And there is so much material out there it's like several lifetimes worth of playing - even if specializing in only 1 or 2 genres. So the software market is overcrowded too.

 

There are many options for playing classic games these days (beginning 15 years ago even). FPGA, emulators, flashbacks, real hardware, in-browser emulation, and more. They're all pretty cheap and common methods. But before all that I was a pretty big spender when ramping up my collection - which is now pretty much a sad hoarder's pile.

 

So.. yes.. smaller market today.

[Keatah]

On 4/3/2023 at 8:25 AM, jhd said:

Are there any other full-time classic gaming-related jobs?

Not sure there's any one single task that fits this. Gonna be a buncha things combined together, write reviews, start a publication, develop games, make youtube vids, repair & mod consoles, open up a vintage arcade, open a store.

 

A problem with videogaming in general is maturity of the audience. And the low-end aura the word "videogames" creates. Unlike fine art or classic cars or real estate, "videogames" doesn't always attract the most desirable clientele. "Videogames" is synonymous with "mom's basement".

 

Retro is just too niche. Complete opposite of the cultural penetration achieved in the early 1980's.

[cvga]

I have another job but what Al pays me to hang out and post on AtariAge is sufficient for my needs. 

 

Interesting that people suggested store owner, convention creator, game publisher, journalist, you tuber, online resources (price tracking, etc), console repair/mods but no one actually suggested programming new games (maybe that falls under publisher but they seem different).

 

I know a person locally who started a classic arcade/bar. They seem to be doing well. I don't know what else EdLaddin does but his controllers are awesome and seem to sell pretty well. You could scour eBay all day and become a reseller but there appears to be a bunch of competition for that role.

 

Good luck!

[Keatah]

2 hours ago, cvga said:

but no one actually suggested programming new games (maybe that falls under publisher but they seem different).

On 4/14/2023 at 4:17 PM, Keatah said:

Gonna be a buncha things combined together, write reviews, start a publication, develop games, make youtube vids, repair & mod consoles, open up a vintage arcade, open a store.

programming new games = develop games..

[cvga]

6 hours ago, Keatah said:

programming new games = develop games..

Yep. I just missed that and open up a vintage arcade. Sorry about that.

[82-T/A]

On 4/4/2023 at 1:22 AM, Wayler said:

I hear this youtubing thing is also sometimes referred as a job for some people. There are tons of retro channels but it's hard to tell how many are actually making a living from them.

 

I have a YouTube channel that I do watch repairs, restorations, and reviews from. It's something that I started for fun as part of a hobby that I have. I've made maybe 3 videos this year, but I monetized early last year, and I still get about $100 a month in revenue from my old videos. I honestly don't put much effort into it, I could / should expand it... but just haven't gotten around to it because I've been busy with other things. I do have to claim it as a side business on my taxes though... which is frustrating... I don't mind paying the taxes, just think it's silly filling out all the side-business nonsense on my taxes for $1,500 in income.

[+bent_pin]

On 4/3/2023 at 9:25 AM, jhd said:

is it possible to have full-time employment related to classic video games?

Indeed, but it depends on how one defines full-time. I derive the majority of my income from teaching abstract math, computer programming and engineering, and electronics to kids starting at age 7. The vast majority of the programming is based on many different aspects of game theory and the engineering is based on the 2600, then Arduino, then RPI. It's most of my money but it only takes about 15 hours a week. So, it's not really full-time, not really work either.

[+Cafeman]

[MrMaddog]

On 4/25/2023 at 4:09 PM, Cafeman said:

 

I actually cut that out of the paper and taped it to the side of my computer desk because I had big dreams of making video games and lots of money.

 

Hopefully, indeed...