How to Livestream Your Games like a Pro
Watching your favorite streamers play video games is all fun and games (l0l) – but how do they do it? Have you ever wondered how they managed to be interesting enough for millions of people to sit there and watch them? You can become a pro streamer with only adequate technical knowledge. How to livestream your games like a pro is the article that’s going to change your perspective!
This article will get you up and running under a variety of different scenarios, from modern PC games to retro games – you’ve found your answer!
Streaming hardware
Luckily, the PS4 and Xbox One have streaming built into their operating systems. So if either one of these consoles is your what you’re going to be using, you’re in luck. However, if you want to stream from other consoles, you’ll need a capture card or a personal video recorder such as the Hauppauge HD PVR 60, Razer Ripsaw or Elgato HD 60S.
If you’re thinking “What the heck is a capture card?” – we’ve got you. A capture card is basically a piece of hardware that connects to your console and television, and it runs off the HDMI signal, then outputting it to your computer.
Microphone and webcam
A microphone is absolutely essential when it comes to streaming – no one wants to watch a livestream with no audio. It also allows you to react to people in the live chat and really make a connection with your audience. If you’re using your PC’s built-in microphone, remember to wear headphones as you don’t want to pick up game audio. That’ll just be annoying for your viewers! Most streamers opt for a headset mic, which you can get at an affordable price. Here are a few examples:
- Multimedia Headset with Boom Microphone
EasySMX Comfortable LED 3.5mm Stereo Gaming LED Lighting Over-Ear Headphone Headset
But if they don’t take your fancy, there are many other affordable headset mics that you can choose!
Webcams, on the other hand, you can go without if you like, but popular streamers tend to show their faces. So look your best and get a webcam! Your viewers won’t only be watching you for the games you play, they’ll also be watching you for your personality. And that’s the beauty of livestreaming.
Software
So, what is the best software to use? So you’ve got your capture card, but you also need a certain software to be able to get your video out into the digital atmosphere.
The two most popular solutions for streaming game footage is XSplit Gamecaster and Open Broadcaster Software (OBS).
XSplit is much easier to use and set up, however, Open Broadcaster Software allows you to take control of everything, and I mean everything.
Which Streaming Service?
There are numerous amounts of streaming services out there, but if you want to make it big, Twitch or YouTube are your best bet.
Twitch is currently the hottest site for streaming right now, however, YouTube has a control room which gives you stats on stream health and other important pieces of info. YouTube also keeps your streams for future uploads. So in short, it turns your streams into Let’s Plays within seconds.
You’re all set!
Now you’ve covered everything, it’s important to know how to livestream beyond the technological stuff. Make sure you’re constantly communicating with your viewers – even if you only have one viewer, have a conversation with them and keep them entertained. If they’re just sitting there watching you play a game in silence then it’s unlikely that they’re going to come back.
A combination of all these things will help you grow on whatever platform you choose. A good thing to keep in mind is to not expect overnight fame – if you really want to become a pro live streamer, you need to make sure you’re putting in hard work. And that does include paying for ads. If you’re not willing to do these things, there’s no hope for you. However, if you’re doing this purely for fun or just to show a small group of friends then go for it and have lots of fun!
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