(Source: 123rf)
He could be earning up to RM17,600 (30,000 yuan) a month playing video games, yet when his mother presses him to get a ‘real’ job, the pressure hits hard.
In Shanghai, a young man turned heads when he posted anonymously via his Weibo account that he works from home as a game booster, a type of pro-gamer who helps others level up in games. His pay? Between 10,000 to 30,000 yuan monthly, roughly RM6,000 to RM17,000.
His mother only believes in conventional jobs
Despite the healthy income, his mother insists it is not a stable or respectable profession. She urges him to go out and find a conventional job, with fixed office hours, social benefits, and a long‑term career path. When he questioned her view that stability is the only acceptable route, the underlying clash between generations became clear. To her, stability means safety and a steady future. To him, the game‑earning path offers real money and financial flexibility in a city where the cost of living is soaring.
He also explained that with his education qualifications, he would only rake in about 6,000 yuan (RM3,500) per month with an office job, after deducting insurance and housing funds. He explained further that the cost of living in Shanghai is high, and so at the end of the day, he wouldn’t have much left to live on.
He can’t seem to get his mum’s approval
He even shared a screenshot of a text message he had with his mother,
“I’ve argued with you countless times about my job. Is it so difficult to support my choice? Moreover, I didn’t use your money to start my gaming career. I made money through my own effort. Why is that not ok?”
His story sparked heated debate online
Many argued that if a young person can earn so much through gaming, that is more than proof enough, even if it does not fit traditional molds. Others sympathised with his mother, worried that the gaming career is a fleeting one. They suggested a middle road: treat boosting as a side gig while finding part‑time office work to satisfy family expectations.
As comments piled up, conversations deepened into broader topics – the uncertain nature of many modern jobs, the high likelihood of layoffs even in white‑collar firms, and whether ‘stable job’ is still a safe bet these days. Some mentioned that even tech giants can lay off staff at any time, while skilled game coaches may build a client base that sustains them longer than many entry‑level office workers.
In the end, there is no simple verdict. The young man’s income through gaming is real and significant, yet questions linger.
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