Whether you have lofty ambitions of making it big, or just want to have fun and share it with the internet, being a game streamer can be a rewarding way to pass the time. With the participatory nature of social media such a key focus, there’s little wonder that the thrills, spills, and glitches of video gaming have become a fun way for people to chat, bond, and learn. With the right tools in your back pocket, you can ensure you’re creating high-quality, appealing streams. Today, we look at some key tools you should know as a game streamer.
Streaming Software
This one should go without saying, but let’s give it a mention anyway. If you want to live stream any portion of your game stream, you need the right software. Not only does streaming software allow for split screen and picture-in-picture layouts, it can do things like unite the feeds from multiple cameras, add transitions in real-time, and more. Open Broadcast Studio is a popular choice for Twitch.
Editing Software
Another critical aspect of your game streaming journey will be the ability to tweak the footage you’re sharing. Whether you’re looking to add fun special effects, or just edit out the pre-game lobby, ensuring the clips you present are sleek is part of creating a truly professional image for yourself. Luckily there’s plenty of high-quality and easy-to-learn video editing software out there for you to explore.
Graphic Design
Continuing with the idea of professionality, there’s a lot more than just appearing on camera to consider. Graphics, overlays, banners, and even things like intermission banners, .gifs and animations will all add that extra layer of professionality and class to your screen. If you lack the design skills yourself, there are graphics bundles for game streamers you can consider with thematic designs.
A Website
While many game streamers keep to their host channels, others spread their wings and develop their streaming brand further. If that’s an ambition you have, you’ll need a solid anchor web presence to build off of, like a website. This can also become the host to your credentials and biography, broadcast schedules, partner/sponsor info and much more. And if you’re looking for sponsors? A solid and well-built web presence will boost your chances.
Metrics
Last, but certainly not least, you need a reliable and data-based method to track your audience, see what’s resonating with them (and what isn’t) and other tools. While you need a strong brand and personality to succeed as a game streamer, a lot of the work is done behind the scenes with smart marketing- and you’re going to need the tools to help you compete.
Both Twitch and YouTube have grown exponentially over the last few years, and gaming content is a huge part of what makes them so popular. With more and more eSports leagues emerging, it’s a trend that’s only going to grow. In fact, we’d go so far as to say it’s a crowded market out there. So if you’re hoping to get a leg up on the competition, then you need to start your stream off with the right tools to help you succeed.
