How to Get into Streaming Video Games

Streaming video games isn’t new as Twitch has been around for nearly a decade, but it has taken off recently. In fact, over 100 million people use Twitch each and every month, and that number is only going to grow. Also, that number doesn’t even take into account those who use Youtube or other services for streaming.

As interest in streaming continues to grow, so does the amount of people that want to start their own stream. It can be very fun, it can help you develop a following on other platforms and can also make you money if you do it well. However, how can you get started? Well, that is exactly what this article is going to look at.

Without any further ado, here are a few tips on how to get started streaming your favorite video games on Twitch, Youtube or another service.

Ensure You Have a Capable Internet Connection

Before doing anything else, you need to be sure that you have good internet that is capable of streaming games. The last thing people want to do when they tune into your stream is see a blurry and laggy mess. That can really turn off viewers, and also make gaming very hard for you as well.

Instead of using Wifi like you might use for your cell phone or laptop, you should be hooking your streaming machine right up to your modem or router. This will give a more solid and reliable connection than Wifi. If you are still experiencing lag, you might want to reach out to your internet provider and pay more for better internet.

Get Some Streaming Software and Other Supplies

Once the internet is taken care of, it is time to get the necessary software to get your stream up and running. While there are some ad-powered free options available, you are likely better off purchasing something like OBS Stream Labs or Elgato Stream Deck. They are relatively affordable and are the standard in the industry.

In addition to the software, you will need some other things to help your stream be a success. This includes things like a headset, a quality microphone and a webcam. While you don’t need a webcam many streamers have a face cam, but a headset and microphone are essential tools.

Have All of Your Settings in Order Before Your First Stream

Unfortunately, setting up a stream and getting it going isn’t always automatic. First of all, you need to make sure the audio in your stream is balanced. The viewers need to be able to hear your voice over the sound in the game, but you still need some in-game sound to prevent the audio feed from just being your voice.

It can be tough to get this right and it can take a bit of time to perfect. In addition to that, you need to ensure your visual clarity is top notch, and you need to ensure that your HUD isn’t obscured by your face cam. Of course, your in-game settings should be figured out, as well.

Provide Something Unique

Because of the increase in popularity of streaming, there are hundreds of people just like you that want to get started with streaming. As a result, you need to be sure to provide something unique. Some people are successful because they are great at the game, and others because they are a great personality.

You need to host the type of stream that you yourself would be interested in watching. If you wouldn’t watch your own stream, why would anybody else? You need to find your niche and find something that works for you and works for your audience.

Get a High Quality Chair

When you are streaming video games, you will often be doing so for hours and hours on end. Sitting down for that long can wreak havoc on your neck, shoulders and back, especially if you have a low quality chair. While getting up and stretching every now and then helps, so does purchasing a high quality gaming chair.

There are many ergonomic options out there to choose from, so be sure to resort to an online pc gaming chair guide to give you the information you need to make an informed decision. These chairs are relatively affordable and will allow you to sit for long periods of time without many of the negative consequences of sitting in a cheap or uncomfortable chair.

Be Consistent

Once you start to develop an audience, they will begin to look forward to seeing you on-stream. As a result, you need to develop a schedule and be sure to stick to it. You can get away with some experimentation when you are starting out, but once you get an established viewership, consistency is important.

If you need to deviate from your schedule, be sure to let your viewers know ahead of time via Twitter or other means, they will greatly appreciate it. Communication is key, and if your viewers never know when to expect you to go live, it will become difficult to grow your stream.

Engage With Your Chat

Live streaming is a two-way street. People don’t only watch for your gameplay, they watch for you. As a result, you need to be sure to communicate with your chat in any way you can. Whether that is you asking them questions, answering their questions and everything in between.

Those with the most popular streams out there do a great job of making their streams feel like a conversation, and not a one-way street. This interaction makes the viewers feel like they are hanging out with you playing a video game, not simply observing from afar. Keeping things personal and always engaging is one of the best ways for your stream to be successful.

These tips should not only help you get started with streaming, but will help you develop your stream into one that hopefully people will tune in to. Of course, there are no guarantees your stream will ever take off, as there is a lot of competition, but following these tips will give you a good chance at success.

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