Several gamers have started on their streaming journey because it’s fun and a great way to meet people you don’t usually get to interact with. Surprisingly, it’s possible to make some money out of it and also build your brand as a gaming streamer.
However, to start building your live streaming channel, there are things you’ll have to plan out carefully. As you move along, there will also be new and unfamiliar things you have to learn, practice, and master eventually.
So, before getting started, it’s crucial to understand that time, effort, and money will all be investments in building a streaming channel for gamers. If you’re ready to do this, here are some steps that could help you get to your end goal:
1. Pick a Livestreaming Platform
The first thing to do is make an account on different live streaming platforms. This will be an excellent way to familiarize yourself with how these websites work. It also shows you how it feels to be in the same environment, culture, and technical aspects as other streaming platforms. For instance, streamers choose to start their live channel on YouTube because they can use tools like the YouTube growth service.
Before making a choice, though, the key is to research the platform by looking at reviews, reading articles, and using the streaming platform yourself. This will help you decide before you make a formal live streaming channel debut.
2. Start Watching Gaming Streamers That Inspire You
While you’re getting to know the streaming platform, try to look for streamers that inspire you. Usually, live streamers with a large following would be on the home page. This is usually where most new viewers like to go.
It’s also beneficial for new streamers to watch and interact with other new streamers or those with a smaller following. This is because smaller channels are likely to interact or respond to every viewer and chatter more. After all, it’s easier to catch up with a smaller audience.
Being a viewer first will help you see how successful channels interact with their audience and how they run their channels.
3. Think of What You’ll Be Streaming
If you’re still clueless about what to stream, you could start by brainstorming your brand. This means thinking about how you want the audience to see you. For gamers, it’s common to think about the game genre you want to stream often.
For example, some stick to first-person shooter games, as it usually gets a lot of viewers. Yet other game genres are gaining popularity lately, such as souls-like games. It’s also possible to become a variety streamer, so you can get more freedom with the types of games you play, such as horror games, MMORPGs, looter-shooters, etc.
Either way, it’s important to base this decision on how much you enjoy the games. This way, you can avoid feeling like streaming is a chore you have to do or getting burnt out because of streaming games you don’t enjoy that much.
In short, find the sweet spot or the balance between getting viewers and having fun. This way, you can build a following based on certain games.
4. Decide on What Kind of Streamer You Want to Be
Aside from choosing the video game genres you want to play live, it’s also critical to think about what kind of streamer you want to become.
One of the most common types would be the IRL streamer, which means you use a camera to show yourself to the audience as you play. You could also be a pure gameplay and commentary streamer, where you have a mic on and show the gameplay, but you don’t show your camera’s live feed. You could also become a v-tuber, where you’ll use a virtual character such as a rigged 2D or 3D model or a reactive image to represent yourself instead of using a camera.
5. Make Sure Your Computer Specs Can Handle Live Streaming
Now that you’re inspired and have an idea of what you want to stream and the kind of streamer you want to be, it’s time to get your equipment in order. If you game on a console, it’s possible to use the native streaming applications, but it isn’t as flexible as streaming on a PC.
Using a PC is one of the best tools to have when streaming because it allows you to do more with your streams. You can customize how it looks, play music, interact with chat, moderate the stream, integrate webcams, and other functions.
Check your specs accordingly to guarantee your streaming gear is up to the task. You may need some upgrades to ensure you can game and stream in one go. Strive to keep up with the recommendations for games and streaming software.
6. Invest in a Quality Mic and Camera
Getting a mic and a high-quality camera will also be critical, especially if you want to interact better with your viewers. A good-quality mic can make it easier for watchers to hear what you’re saying, especially if you’re responding to their chat.
If you plan to use a video camera, go for high-quality ones so viewers can see you. The FPS can match the rest of the stream and look good in 1080p and above with a good camera.
7. Install and Learn the Needed Software
Install the software needed once your PC is ready. Some apps are free, others have subscription fees, while the rest are available for a fee. For new streamers, you can start by using free software.
You’ll also need screencasting or streaming software. With these, you can stream on different platforms easily. Likewise, you can go with other apps for a better streaming experience. For instance, you can give virtual audio mixers and model studios a try.
8. Create or Invest in Overlays and Scenes
Overlays and scenes can result in a unique live stream look and help organize elements in your stream. The overlay can frame your gaming screen, chatbox, video camera feed, live alerts, and more in an organized and aesthetic way. Meanwhile, scenes and transitions can help change how the scene looks or indicate the current situation to the viewer. For example, an ‘away,’ ‘BRB,’ or ‘AFK’ scene can help viewers know that the streamer isn’t there to respond to their chats right away.
Conclusion
Overall, many technical aspects go into streaming video games. Building your PC setup and learning how to use the software will all matter. At the same time, it’s also vital to understand the environment of the streaming platform, as there are different cultures when it comes to humor, language, interactions, and more. In the end, be open to learning more as you go along and keep your passion and commitment to whatever you do.