Money and video games: Can you become a pro gamer?

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- It's a multibillion dollar industry that is captivating the homes of people across the world. In December, many camped out and sought online deals to purchase the must-have item of the season: a video game console.

After battling a friend in a Call of Duty tournament, winning the Super Bowl in a game of Madden NFL, or taking a stroll through Pokémon land - the opportunities are endless.

Have you ever thought about becoming a pro gamer and making income along the way? From Major League Gaming to Electronic Arts' Madden tournaments, gamers have found ways to supplement income - if not replace it - by playing video games.

Turn on the video game console, grab the controller and play - it's that simple, right?

Not quite.

Major League Gaming, a New York-based eSports organization, has over 9 million members and has awarded more than $4,000,000 in cash to gamers. Some of its popular battles include: Call of Duty series, Gears of War, Destiny, NBA2K17 and Halo 5.

The next world tournament for MLG is in Atlanta on Feb. 10 for Call of Duty. If you think you have what it takes, more information is available on their website.

In the sports world, EA Sports' Madden NFL franchise continues its domination across the globe. Last week in Orlando, the Redwood City, California-based company hosted the Madden Bowl Live Finals where nearly 2,000,000 people watched the action on YouTube and Twitch.

Gamers competed against each other to win a trip to Houston and compete at a chance of winning $250,000.

We'll repeat that for you -- $250,000 in a video game tournament.

Yes, you read that correctly.

It's those type of winnings that are possible in the world of professional video gaming. ABC13 sat down with avid gamer and Pokémon competitor, Kyle Hudson, to get a better idea of what it takes to be a pro gamer.

Hudson has played video games his entire life and first jumped in the realm of competitive gaming after the launch of Halo 2 on Microsoft's Xbox console.

He says the best way to start gaming is to look for a league to join. He has traveled the country playing Pokémon, even at his own expense.

"Leagues will meet up once a month, or couple times a month," he said. "A handful of people will sit around and play some Pokémon, talk about the game and discuss a couple things."

Although Hudson hasn't made a large amount playing Pokémon, he says in the bigger tournaments (and popular video games) there is a chance to make a six-figure income.

So, can someone become a pro gamer?

"That answer is absolutely, yes!" Hudson said.

He says dedication and work are the keys in becoming a pro gamer.

So how do you sign up? To see how you will fare in Major League Gaming, all you need to do is create an account and wish your lucky coins away. If you're interested in joining the EA Sports Madden Championship series, you must play specific modes to get into each tournament.

But don't worry, your pockets may thank you later.

**Note: See more tips above in the included video**