How to Get Started with Video Game Streaming: The Ultimate Guide
Ever wanted to live stream your gameplay on PC, but didn't know where to start? We are here to help you. Live streaming has exploded in recent years, and while not everyone can hope to become the next Ninja, Dr. Lupo, or Shroud, it's a fun pastime that can be rewarding on its own. And, if you put your mind to it, you might find an audience.
Whether you want to stream gameplay just to your friends or attempt to start your own community, this guide will provide you with everything you need to get started and hopefully succeed. (We can't make you a better shooter, or a more spiritual one, though. That's up to you).
First of all, what is Game Streaming?
If you're reading this, you probably understand what streaming is, or at least the idea basic. But in case you're blind, here's the short version.
In recent years, thousands of people have started broadcasting their games live to millions of viewers online. Only a handful of streamers are finding huge regular audiences, a far larger number are in the middle with modest audiences, and an even larger number are struggling to build small communities. You can do this on a PC or on any of the modern game consoles. Since the latter is simpler and easier to use, this guide focuses on PC streaming.
You have many options for where and how to stream, which I'll detail below. When it comes to tools and services, you've probably heard of the following Twitch is the biggest service of its kind, but you have other streaming options, although a combination of other software and hardware is needed . To stream PC Games the key things you need besides a Twitch account (or other streaming service): a good gaming computer, some accessories, and some software.
We're going to detail all of this, but first you need to carefully consider what you're trying to achieve by streaming. Pleasure and profit? Just pleasure? This will determine what you really need.
How to set a realistic goal for your streaming?
I can think of a multitude of reasons why you might want to stream your video games. Basically, it's fun, and the allure of an audience watching you play is enough to motivate many people to give it a try. You can do this just for fun and for yourself, and if you get regular viewers, great! If that's your case, you'll probably lean towards the more laid-back suggestions in this guide.
Others want to create a community, however small, of dedicated viewers. And still others hope to cash in on streaming through ads, partnerships, or viewer donations (or a combination of these). In an ideal world, streaming might even be your full-time job.
However, this is a difficult dream to achieve, and it is important to set realistic expectations. There are a lot of streamers out there, and it's hard to stand out from the crowd. Don't quit your job or drop out of school without proving your financial stability for months through streaming (or without having a guarantee fund).
With everyone struggling to attract viewers, it helps to have a ‘hook’ or special talent. You may be successful as an average streamer playing your favorite games, but your chances of standing out are not high. It is essential to find a way to make yourself known.
It sometimes depends on the game genre. If you're particularly good at first-person shooters, for example, that's a start; people tend to look for elite gameplay for this type of game. Or maybe you're a very entertaining, "Hey, let's play!" type live streamer. “, or you know how to create a community and discuss with your followers. Or maybe you are very funny. Ideally, you're a combination of all of these, but the fact is that not everyone who succeeds as a streamer is exceptionally good at gaming. (But it helps.)
Whatever your angle, consistency is key. Viewers should be able to see you often and come back to you regularly if they like you. You also can't be put off by a low immediate viewership because the odds are against you. However, with a little determination and the tools below, you can carve out a niche for yourself, and beyond… who knows?
How do I choose the right PC for game streaming?
The biggest obstacle to effective streaming is having the right hardware, so that's where we'll start . Streaming services and software have come a long way in terms of ease of use, often at no cost, but there's no denying that you'll probably need to purchase a few physical items to bring your streams to life. The most important obstacle, and the most important object, is a sufficiently powerful PC. There are many things that go into making a computer suitable for streaming, which is why this point requires the most in-depth explanation.
This system will probably serve as a double duty for your video games. and (we'll get to that later) so it has to be fast. If you plan to stream PC games, obviously your computer will need to be capable of playing modern games. This is the most expensive item you'll need for streaming, and there are a lot of factors that go into your decision.
Generally speaking, the ideal computer for streaming should be able to run games at high or even maximum settings at your chosen screen resolution. You want your streams to look as good as possible, and if you want to show off the latest AAA releases, flashy graphics go a long way in keeping viewers entertained. You don't need to break the bank if you can't afford it, however. Moderate gaming rigs will run games moderately well, and if that's your budget, that's fine.
Most streamers play in full HD (1920 by 1080, or 1080p resolution), and I highly recommend you do the same. It's much easier for your computer to play at 1080p, which is essential since it may also have to bear the load of processing and streaming your games. Plus, you'll get much higher frame rates in-game than at 1440p or 4K, which means smoother appearances.
Note that your game screen resolution may be different from your computer. stream is set to. Streaming in full HD or high definition is very demanding on the PC and the Internet connection. So you'll find that many streamers opt for 720p or 900p, as do even some big names. The most popular streamers can afford to invest in a PC and internet connection capable of delivering razor-sharp streaming, but don't feel like you're the only one having to compromise.
If you're the type that streams competitive multiplayer games (titles like Apex Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Fortnite, or League of Legends), visual fidelity matters a little less, but performance and frame rates 'high images are vital. You need to be able to play smoothly, as this will give you an edge, which is especially important if you're branding yourself as a skill-based streamer. Gaming at 1080p and taking advantage of those higher frame rates is even more important for these types of gamers.
If this is your case, pair your setup with a high refresh rate processor. gaming monitor is a smart move. In fact, many competitive streamers (even those with powerful PCs) play with low visual settings to improve framerates because it gives them a competitive edge. However, even if you're gaming on low settings, you need a high-end computer to take advantage of a high refresh rate screen. The PC video card is essential.
The best graphics card for game streaming: GeForce RTX and others
To accomplish the above, you need the right basics. Encoding and streaming your gameplay to Twitch or another site is a daunting task for any CPU (also referred to here as a CPU) and graphics card (GPU), especially since your computer is already using resources to power the game itself. Rather than making you go through each to build your own desktop computer or buy a pre-built PC, I refer you to our website. guide for gaming desktopswhich already provides all this information. There are many things to take into account, and it would be difficult to summarize everything here. Inside the guide, you'll find buying advice for each component, as well as our list of today's best pre-built machines, so read it if you're not up to date on PC components.
However, it is important to give you advice for the two key components (CPU and GPU), as there are special considerations for streamers. The GPU will power the graphics in your games and help encode and deliver your stream, so a respectable level of power is essential for game streaming. For starters, I recommend an Nvidia graphics card. AMD has made great strides in the desktop processor race, but Nvidia's GPUs are still ahead of the pack, especially for demanding tasks like high refresh rate gaming. Also, the GPU is highly correlated to your choice of resolution explained above. The more you increase the resolution, the more you are tied to the power of your GPU, as opposed to your CPU.
I wouldn't start lower than the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti. This is an older option, but still capable and relatively affordable. Less capable cards will be less able to run games at smooth frame rates at 1080p, let alone provide a good streaming experience. The real power for streaming gamers is in Nvidia's GeForce RTX series, not only because it offers more firepower for gaming, but also because it includes specialized features for streaming. hardware encoders to improve streaming, and optimization for the hugely popular Open Broadcaster Software (OBS, which we'll talk about later).
Currently, the main RTX GPUs are the GeForce RTX 3060, the GeForce RTX 3070, and the GeForce RTX 3080. The latter will deliver top-notch gaming performance at all resolutions and handle streaming well, while there are also has upgraded versions of the GeForce RTX 3080. RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080 Ti options. Of course, these cards (particularly the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080) have been notoriously difficult to acquire for the past six months or more, in part due to pandemic-related supply issues, and their popularity for the use in cryptocurrency mining. For this reason, an inferior GPU, or even the older GeForce RTX 20 series, may be your most realistic bet if you're buying from scratch.
Related to this article: How to calibrate & tune your TV?Indeed video card prices have gone up so wild in the secondary market here in 2021, and stock RTX cards at list price are so rarely available, that you will need to be very persistent to get some one without paying a significant premium over MSRP. You may be able to acquire one of these high-demand GPUs more easily if you buy a pre-built desktop PC, since system manufacturers have a more direct line of supply.
The best graphics cards for streaming we tested
The GeForce RTX 2060 or 3060 are a good entry point into the RTX series and are fully capable of Full HD gaming. If you're gaming on a high-refresh display, the RTX 2070, RTX 3070, and higher are recommended, and if you want to game at a higher resolution, go for the RTX 2080, RTX 3080, or higher. These are the only GPUs capable of using advanced ray tracing technology, a sophisticated in-game lighting feature, but they will also allow you to improve overall visual quality and increase the number of frames per frame. second.
The best CPU for game streaming: Why CPU is also essential
While your graphics card will undoubtedly have its work cut out, your CPU will be the lifeblood of your computer gaming and streaming. Multi-threaded and multi-core processors are the norm these days, but even modern chips intended for everyday use will bend under these demands, reducing the quality of your streaming and gaming. workload of encoding, but your CPU will still have its resources split between gaming, streaming, and running all of your streaming-related applications. Whichever you choose, you will need a powerful processor.
As a general rule, favor Intel (Core i7 and Core i9) or AMD (Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9) CPUs. If you're not sure where to start with these components, you'll find many more details and suggestions in our in-depth buying guides for the following gaming processors and graphics cards. The reviews the latter links to can give you an idea of the frame rates you can expect from typical games with a given video card. 16 GB memory is also recommended. While the minimum system requirements are probably a bit below these recommendations (a Core i5 processor and 8GB of memory could), you should aim for at least these parts for a much smoother experience.
Gaming-grade processors, like Intel's Core i7 and AMD's Ryzen 7 desktop chips, can hold their own by gaming and streaming simultaneously. This is, realistically, the level of chip most people will buy, and a good fit for a gaming PC in general. Both of these chip families will get the job done, though depending on how serious you are, the power level might not be the same as your gaming PC.
I speak from experience with a few generations old Core i7, the Core i7-9700K for gaming and streaming. You may start to notice a drop in performance, and/or your stream may chop up for viewers depending on your settings and your internet. Even if your stream is working fine, multitasking becomes more difficult, and you may notice that other programs in the background lag or hiccup, depending on your stream's resolution. This phenomenon is particularly annoying in the case of a multi-monitor configuration and a high refresh rate screen, because your processor is really stressed.
If this is your case and you intend to get serious about streaming (especially if you plan to profit from it), it is recommended to invest in a Core i9 or Ryzen 9 processor. You will avoid frame-rate drops and will be able to tune your streaming to a higher resolution with a better processor. If you are a true enthusiast who will use your PC for many professional content creation tasks, you can also look to high-end desktop chips (HEDTs) from AMD and Intel. AMD Ryzen Threadripper chips and Intel Core X-Series chips are lightning fast. But the HEDT crowd is even more expensive. Here are our top four streaming processor picks for most users…
You'll notice that I've talked a lot about desktops here, but haven't said much about laptops. Laptops can stream games, but their usage is generally less than ideal. If this is your only computer and you don't have the budget for a streaming setup, a laptop will do. However, gaming and streaming will put a strain on these compact machines, and not all of them even have Ethernet ports for a more reliable wired connection. If you're set on streaming, but don't really need the ideal experience, go with a laptop. gaming laptop. But for those looking for a full-featured, rugged setup, desktops really are the way to go.
Which game streaming service is the best?
Now that PC requirements are gone, how do you bring your game to the masses? Your video card and processor will be able to handle streaming; you just need to give them the platform and the tools to synthesize and spread them.
There is no beating around the bush: Twitch is the big gorilla here. Guide to streaming on Twitch on how to get started on that specific platform. This is the obvious choice for most people. It has the widest potential audience, it specializes in that exact topic, and its popularity means it has streamlined the onboarding process and features.
There are But there are alternatives to Twitch. Gaming is a popular category in its own right on YouTube, which builds on the already ubiquitous video platform, and YouTube is home to a slew of high profile streamers. Facebook Gaming has less of a following, but still has millions of users, and it could gain popularity following a partnership with Microsoft after the software giant shut down its own platform, Mixer, in June 2020. The fact that Twitch being the most popular platform can be a bad thing, from a certain point of view, because many streamers compete for viewers on this service. As a beginner, you might have better luck making it on to one of the other platforms. (See our separate guide describing Twitch and its alternatives here).
Whichever service you choose, setting it up isn't as complicated as you might fear. As we mentioned, the popularity of game streaming has prompted all of these services to make getting started as easy as possible. Twitch even has its own collection of user guides to help you out, but much of the game is very intuitive even without them.
Some games, and even entire services, will have a built-in broadcast feature; there is nothing easier than pressing a button to go live in a game. Your game will be immediately live streamed to a linked account where viewers can watch it. This method is similar to the method used by consoles for streaming, which makes console streaming so simple.
Not all games, however, support this feature. Which brings us to a very important piece of software: OBS.
Should I use OBS for game streaming?
If you're serious about getting into streaming, you can't rely on individual titles to drive the streaming, because you'll be out of luck if they don't support in-game streaming and you don't have a backup plan.
So the solution is dedicated software, and the best choice is Open Broadcast Software known as OBS. Even if you can broadcast by other means, the ideal is to always go through OBS. It brings together all of your hardware (your mic, camera, etc.) and software (the screen or app you want to cast, casting settings, hardware settings) in one place. This allows you to fully control your broadcast behind the scenes, customize it (intro and ending sequences or graphics, green screen effects) and ensure the consistency of your streams.
Learning how to use OBS is perhaps the most complicated aspect of streaming, unfortunately. If you want a more user-friendly option, Xsplit's Gamecaster is a little more accessible, and suitable for most users. But don't be intimidated by OBS. First of all, it's free, so what's not to like? Its learning, like that of any software, just requires a little time to become familiar with the interface. Once you do, you'll find it to be a powerful tool. You don't need to be an expert to upload your feed, although the software allows for plenty of customization if you want to use it.
OBS isn't the prettiest program, which adds to its intimidating factor, but if you look closely, you'll see things are clearly labeled. All devices used for streaming are gathered in OBS, and you can control and customize them from there. OBS has its own language that you will need to learn, such as "scenes", which can include intro and ending segments. OBS can let you add as much or as little complexity as you want.
I will refrain from a detailed analysis of OBS. because these resources exist and that would double the length of this guide. (You can find a good analysis from our colleagues at ExtremeTech, who use OBS and Twitch together, at the link). But learning how to use the Scenes and Desktop Audio options is the most important. These will translate all sounds played on your PC (including your crucial game audio) into your stream. The popular video below is also a good introduction to OBS with step-by-step instructions for beginners…
If you use Twitch, you will also need to request and enter a streaming key on the Twitch site; you cannot log into your account directly in OBS and must give yourself access.
Related to this article:How to Use a Smartphone App to Find Your Car?Best Microphones and Cameras for Video Game Streaming
Of course, you need a way to show the money: You! For some skill-based users, the gameplay may be the real product, but even then most viewers enjoy seeing and hearing the person they are watching play. For those who rely on their entertainment value as their "hook", a good camera and mic setup is especially important.
Recommended by our editors
Your PC may have a built-in microphone (much more likely on a laptop), but the quality won't be great. You can use headphones, but the quality isn't necessarily better, and you don't necessarily want your audio input tied to your headphones. I recommend you buy a standalone USB microphone instead. Those of today are very simple to use and should offer much better quality.
A popular favorite (and my personal microphone for gaming and voice calls) is the Blue Yeti which is versatile, high quality and ready to go. It is not exactly cheap, but there is a reason why it is used by many users, whether they are podcasters, streamers or content creators. If you don't like its price (it tends to cost just over $100 on its own), keep an eye out for sales, including game bundles, as they tend to pop up from time to time.
Any USB microphone will do, but don't feel like you have to go fancy unless you're a professional, profitable streamer, or audio quality is very important to your content. Our guide to favorites can be found here with some of the best models below.
The best mics for game streaming we've tested
One of the advantages that laptop users have is the built-in webcam, whereas the vast majority of desktop computers don't don't have a camera. On the one hand, it is an advantage; on the other, built-in webcams are rarely the best quality (although they've gotten better) and you'll probably need a USB camera, anyway. I don't have a favorite camera, but PCMag has a guide on how to use a USB camera. buy a webcam, and some specific suggestions in this article and below.
Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 Web Camera
So your viewers will be able to see your beautiful face, although image quality also depends on your bitrate and connection quality. It goes without saying that a high-speed internet connection is a plus for streaming. It will dramatically improve your production values, game connection, and streaming reliability. No one wants to watch a chopped livestream.
I should note that you don't need a webcam, but it does get within reach of viewers if they can see you and get to know you. I don't think most streamers will be successful without a webcam.
Should I use one capture card for game streaming or two computers?
The quick answer to this question is no, a capture card is not essential but it is is far from a universal answer.
On the PC side, a capture card is used to do what it seems to do: record and save video and audio footage. You can do this to back up and transfer your game to another PC, or to save it for later editing. As with microphones, there are several options for capture cards, but the most frequently recommended is the Elgato HD60 Pro card. As with the mic, this isn't a cheap buy, so don't assume you'll need it out of hand.
Note: Calling a capture card a "card" in the modern context is a bit of an old term, as most of them today are a small external box (although there are smaller and smaller captures). are still internal PCI Express type capture cards). Whatever form it takes, it connects between streaming and gaming machines via HDMI. We have tested several.
Recommended capture cards for streamers
There are two other main uses for a capture card, however. The first is for PC use with a game console as the source of your game stream. stream your console game. through your PC, which even streamers who primarily use a PC may want to do. Streaming directly from your PlayStation or Xbox console with the built-in feature is an easy option, but many prefer to use their PC setup as a go-between to stream their game to console.
This may sound strange, but it's easy to see why. If you're someone who streams on both PC and console, you don't want to leave your usual PC setup to use your console every time you want to stream a console title. A full PC's streaming hardware setup is probably superior, as it allows you to use your computer's microphone, camera, and other elements while playing a console game. The capture card does this by connecting your PC and console, so that it can relay the gameplay stream from the console to your computer, and the streaming takes place from there.
The second capture card scenario: using a second computer attached to your main game computer. The second computer is used for stream processing. As I said above, you don't need a capture card. having to make your PC both a gaming computer and a streaming computer. You can use a second computer as a dedicated streaming platform, fed game footage (via a capture card) from the main gaming PC, which is the one you actually play on. Since all the streaming software is on the second computer and the streaming processing is done there, your gaming machine is relieved of the double workload.
A new streamer doesn't need to buy two PCs upfront. This isn't necessary for most people, and it's obviously a big expense. I wouldn't want people spending money they don't have thinking they have to invest in two PCs to become famous. Full-time professional streamers and some of the biggest names use this type of setup, but it only makes sense to invest in a PC after you've had some streaming success, to improve the quality of your flow.
In addition to hardware essentials, there are accessories that can make your streaming life easier. These include lighting products, like straight camera-mounted lights, which are designed to place streamers in more flattering lighting for video. This is a purely cosmetic upgrade, but viewers are definitely noticing higher production values.
Others are meant to make things easier for you, like the Elgato Stream Deck. It puts your flow controls and chat interactions at your fingertips, binding them to dedicated physical buttons rather than key combinations or a click in the flow interface. This too is a luxury, but as you can see from my review on the link, it's a luxury I appreciate.
Another luxury (but great fun) item is the green screen, which can really enhance your streaming (and multiply the number of gags you can pull off). You will need to separately purchase a green screen (or other clear, solid background), install it behind you, and learn how to integrate it into your software.
As with many other accessories, Elgato sells a green screen, and the BoxCast video above shows you how to use it with OBS. Elgato's version is a very fancy foldable screen; you can find cheaper alternatives.
How to stream your games with friends
Finally, what about less restrictive alternatives than streaming on Twitch or YouTube for a potential audience? You don't need to find an audience other than your friends, who you can stream to privately on Steam and YouTube. Discord. Each of them has a built-in game broadcast feature, allowing you to broadcast your game to your friends list and server, respectively.
Discord
I find Discord's streaming capability to be ingenious, as you can share any screen or application at any time, and there's very little lag. Just tap the share button in the bottom left corner of the app or, when you have a game open, tap the dedicated button that appears with the title of the game. Friends who are in the channel can easily join your stream, and you don't need OBS or anything else to make your broadcast work.
Make your streams…
I hope you now feel a lot more comfortable with the demands of streaming and less intimidated by what you need to get started. Each category of hardware and software you need involves detailed decision-making, but now you have all the information you need to acquire the essentials. And if you already have a gaming desktop you've got a good head start.