How to stream games: FAQ for beginner

What computer do you need, how to learn how to stream, how much you can earn and other answers to popular questions

By 2021, many have recognized streamers as a separate profession. Today their influence on the industry is stronger than game journalists, and individuals earn more than entire publications. For those who also want to try their hand at Twitch, but do not know where to start, we have prepared answers to the main questions related to streaming.

What computer do you need to successfully stream to Twitch or YouTube?

The more powerful the better. But you can get by with relatively inexpensive if you plan to stream online games with low system requirements ( CS: GO , World of Tanks ) or indie projects ( Phasmophobia , Among Us ).

The Twitch platform itself recommends a processor not lower than Intel Core i5-4670 (4 cores @ 3.4 GHz), 8 gigabytes of RAM and a video card with support for DirectX 11. As you can see, the main requirements go to the processor – it should not be too outdated or too weak. And the video card just doesn’t have to be too old. Otherwise, it will not even cope with the transmission of a signal from some two-dimensional Hearthstone .

Below are two assemblies. The first can still be reduced in price if some of the components can be found at Avito. And the second will be enough for streams in 1080p @ 60 FPS for most new products.

Minimum build (for CS: GO or World of Tanks)

Optimal build (for any new products)

What internet speed do you need to stream?

First of all, you need a stable connection with high outgoing speed. To stream at 1080p @ 60 FPS, you need to send the data stream from you at 6 megabits per second (which corresponds to a bitrate of 6000 kbps) or faster. But, in addition to speed, you also need a good signal quality without packet loss and additional delays. All this can only be provided by modern cable Internet. And if you only have a telephone line (ADSL) or a mobile connection, then you won’t be able to stream.

What other equipment is required for successful streaming?

A powerful PC alone is not enough. For successful streaming, you still need to equip your workplace. Here’s what you need additionally:

1. Nice microphone. For any presenter or vlogger, the sound quality is even higher than the picture quality (some don’t even use a webcam). Your speech should be heard without contamination or interference. But you don’t have to buy a professional studio microphone. Any entry-level dynamic will do, but branded. Take a closer look at the Razer Seiren or Blue Snowball ICE.
2. Any will do, as long as they give out an acceptable sound and after a few hours they don’t hurt your ears. Streaming with speakers is a bad idea – they will drown out your speech and pollute the rest of the sound through the microphone.
3. Some don’t show themselves in principle or use avatars. But with a camera, the stream is more like a show, when viewers can read the presenter’s emotions. And the clearer the image from the webcam, the better the facial expressions are visible. Therefore, it is better to spend money right away on something like the Logitech C920, but for the first time, the Logitech C270 will do.
4. Correct lighting. Only with the right lighting will your face be clearly visible. The light from the chandelier will definitely not work, and the light from the window may not be enough even during the day. Ideally, you’ll want a fluorescent light in front of you (but light from a second monitor with a white OBS theme can help).
5. Nice computer chair. On a regular chair, you will not be able to broadcast for many hours in a row – your back and legs will start to hurt. Requires at least a computer chair with armrests and a deep seat. And you can put a small pillow under the lower back.
6. Second monitor. It will be difficult to follow the chat and manage the stream without an additional display. It is usually used for deploying OBS or other streaming software. Also, a webcam is often hung on it for a better angle. The second monitor can be the cheapest and simplest – as long as it is.

How to properly set up a stream through OBS?

At the first launch, OBS will automatically select the optimal parameters. But still it is worth figuring out what the main ones are responsible for:

• “Resolution” and FPS. The higher the higher the load on the computer, but the better the quality. FPS is more important than resolution: 60 frames look much more lively than 30, and many people watch streams from a smartphone. Therefore, it is better to stream at 720p, but with 60 frames, than 1080p and 30.
• “Service”. Here you need to choose the platform to which you will stream. The most popular is Twitch. In second place for gamers is YouTube.
• “Server”. Leave automatic selection.
• “Video bitrate”. The higher it is, the clearer the signal will be with less interference. For Twitch, no more than 6000 kilobits per second is available on the basic account. There is no bitrate limit on YouTube, but remember that high bitrate can cut off all viewers with slow or mobile internet.
• “Encoder”. Better to choose hardware. For owners of GeForce video cards, this will be NVENC, and for Radeon – AVC. Only flagship processors can cope with the software encoder (x264) (and even then not always). Also, many professional streamers use a second computer connected via a capture card. In this case, you can try the software one – in it the picture in dynamic games will be noticeably better.
• Process Priority. Responsible for the delay of the live broadcast and the absence of lags. You should not go below average, so that there are no problems with signal transmission. Above Average and High are only available to those with powerful CPUs of the new Core i7 / Ryzen 7 or higher.
• “Render”, “Color Format”, “Color Space” and “Color Range”. You can try to adjust these parameters more precisely if you are conducting a training stream about computer graphics. But most gamers are better off leaving the default values ​​so as not to distort color or black levels.

How to learn how to broadcast game broadcasts?

Practice is key here. Only she will help to gradually get rid of the excitement and learn how to better comment on what is happening. Here are some tips:

• Check out other streamersfor inspiration in their communication style or broadcast design. What words do they use in their stream titles? What tags do they put? How does the show itself happen?
• Do not be silent. Even if you do not use a webcam or you are watched by 1-2 people, then you need to try to voice all your thoughts during the game and do not forget to communicate with the audience. At first, playing in a team with a friend via voice can also help.
• There will be few viewers on the first streams, but you must definitely communicate with each of them: talk about your experience in the game, ask for advice from chat users, and talk on other topics. Gradually, some of them will become attached to communication with you and come back.
• Think of streaming as an enjoyable pastimewith people with similar interests. Immediately starting an activity on Twitch as something professional or going on streams as a second job is definitely not worth it – you will burn out quickly.

How to get a lot of viewers on Twitch?

It is much easier for girls to gain an audience than guys.

A lot of viewers are usually recruited by the hosts of the following categories:

1. Professional cybersportsmen. They are watched to watch a beautiful game and perhaps learn something on their own. Also, esports players often play nice little things, such as skins, game keys or merchandise.
2. Bright personalities. An interesting external image (see Dr. Disrespect), a unique manner of speech, a unique sense of humor, great knowledge with the ability to convey everything in simple words and not boring. Often, the most popular streamers combine everything at once. Please note that this is not about the high level of play.

How to make money on streams (and how much can you earn)?

Only experienced game broadcasters can count on earnings. At first, it’s better to take streaming as a hobby and an opportunity to connect with new people.

There are several sources of income for streamers:

• Donations from viewers (donations). The most famous and popular source. But don’t count on donations at all, especially at first. Even if you have already managed to gain an audience, it is impossible to predict the amount of fees for this or next month. It is rather a nice addition to your income. As a rule, girls collect donations much more often than guys, even with a small number of regular viewers. The average earnings from regular donations from little-known hosts is 20 thousand rubles a month (guys often have less). Top streamers can have tens of times more.
• Paid subscriptions. The main source of income for most professional presenters. Paid subscribers get advantages over regular viewers: access to exclusive content, the ability to play with a streamer, access to Discord, and more. To connect the possibility of paid subscriptions, you need to be a member of the Twitchor YouTube affiliate program . To do this, you need to stream regularly for at least several months and have a permanent audience. The cost of a paid subscription is from $ 5 and their number is not limited. A hundred paid subscribers will bring income comparable to the salary of many Russians.
• Sponsored streams and brand advertising. Influential presenters with large loyal audiences can be approached by game developers or gamers. For a fee, you can advertise a new game, place brand logos, referral links, or use a device provided by partners during the stream. The amount of the reward is always kept secret between the streamer and advertisers. But if you’ve grown to partner with brands or developers, then don’t ask too little.

There is nothing difficult about doing game streams. It is worth trying for every gamer. Even if you cannot make big money or gain worldwide fame, go through new items or play e-sports disciplines, it is still much more interesting when like-minded people from all over the Internet can communicate with you. The main thing is not to expect too much, but just to have fun.