Introduction
Game streaming has become one of the most sought after professions today. According to reports, over 10 million people have become streamers and share their passion with the world. It is also one of the most viewed content sources today, with over 3 million people tuning in on an average every hour.
Most people like to watch people play video games on a broadcast in their leisure time, but some do take inspiration from these streamers and want to pursue a career in game streaming themselves. If you’re one of those, this guide is for you.
But first… a few basics.
What is Game Streaming?
Game streaming is a method of broadcasting your games running on your PC/Console on a streaming platform for the world to see. By streaming your games,people can see you play games and share your experiences as a viewer, all while interacting with you through chat or joining you on the stream.
Why should you stream games?
Video game streaming has become a very popular source of entertainment amongst the populace today. People love to watch games being played online, much like sports and if you’re good at what you play, it can also lead you to become an influencer and a celebrity, all while being in the comfort of your home. Video games are a mainstream sport now and you can be a part of the scene as well, scoring sponsorships and becoming a name in the world.
How to become a game streamer
All the perks and fame that being a game streamer brings with it is alright, but how do you begin? What is the first step that you need to take in order to start streaming your favorite games with the world? Before you follow the big names that you already know and invest, there are a couple of things that need to be considered before you make it big!
Find a platform to stream games on
There are plenty of platforms out there that you can choose to start your career with. A lot of these platforms offer different benefits but you want to incline yourself towards a platform that has the most audience that engages with you more. Loco is such a streaming platform that is simple to use and houses an audience of video game enthusiasts in millions who will support your venture into the gaming entertainment scene. You can stream a diverse collection of games at Loco and find what your niche is, whether it’s console gaming, PC gaming or even Mobile gaming. Other platforms you can try out are Twitch, YT Gaming and more, which also offer great audiences and fantastic ease of use. Create a channel and give it your personality. Find a unique username that will become your identity online.
Get the right equipment to stream games with
It is a safe assumption that if you’re looking to stream games and build a career in it, you either have a PC, a console or a mobile phone which can support modern games on it, that you play games on. If that is the case, you can use these devices to set up a streaming tool or software like OBS, which is free, and start streaming. If you want a more complex setup and stream your console games or your mobile games through your PC, you can invest in a cheap capture card to begin with and then level up as you go. These cards should be easy to find on Amazon and pretty cheap to begin with.
Next, get a decent webcam to show your face to the world and a microphone which will deliver crystal clear voice through the stream. You must also check your internet connection and have a decent plan that allows higher transfer speeds, which can make the experience smoother and hiccup-less. Wired connections are always preferred. Next, when you get comfortable with the whole streaming shebang, you can start investing in a gaming keyboard and mouse for more precise gaming and perhaps a gaming chair to keep your back in check during those long play hours.
Set your goals right
As fun as it may sound, streaming is also a profession, and it is work, so you need to set your goals right in order to get something out of it. You might approach this passion in different ways. You could be looking to just build engagement and have fun, or maybe make it a full time career and earn out of it. Regardless of the goal, it is important to find a schedule that you can stick to and deliver to the audience that you will build. No one likes a streamer who is abrupt and inconsistent with their content. So keep that in mind and you should be fine. Take advantage of the big players in the game and learn from them. Take inspiration from the streamers that have made it and find your unique niche.
Have fun
Although all this might sound daunting, at the end of the day, it is just you playing your favorite games while others watch you do so. So, remember to have your fun and don’t let the other aspects of it affect you. Try not to focus on numbers at first but just create your space. The numbers will follow and so will people.
Conclusion
When you do start your journey as a streamer, it might be a slow start. You might have streams where no one is watching, but don’t let that get to you. Perseverance is key and it will lead to some great things. With this list, you can start your journey as a novice streamer and then make your way to the top. Remember to have fun throughout the process.
