PC gaming impacts the way we view virtual communities. Now, there’s a new breed of PC gaming enthusiasts that like to share all the action, defeats, and victories with friends. Game live streaming is one of the most popular trends we’ve seen in recent years, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re hoping to turn your pastime into a paycheck, XOTIC PC is here to help. Getting started is a lot easier than you might think, and this guide will show you the basics of streaming video games for fun or for profit.
What is Game Streaming?
Although it’s still relatively new, live-streaming is a PC gaming sensation that’s sweeping the nation. Some people call streaming a sport, while others treat it as a viable profession. No matter where you land on the bandwagon, game live streaming is something to keep an eye on. The practice of streaming became popular in the mid-2010s. Sites such as Twitch, HitBox, Beam, Azubu, and Youtube began generating impressive traffic. Twitch is now the largest producer of peak traffic on the web. Most of these sites provide free accounts to streaming enthusiasts, and their services enable gaming enthusiasts to interact with each other in a way that’s never been done outside console gaming. Many of the streaming sites allow enthusiasts to share gameplay on social media platforms or most streaming utilities.
How Does Game Streaming Work?
Live-streaming involves a love of complex engineering. At its core, a live stream is a collection of frames displayed on-screen that can be impacted by the streamer’s input. Most sites and utilities can convert game frames to video stream instantaneously by transmitting the video to a remote device. In addition to the frames, both the control interface and audio of a game are sent to a remote device in the form of a PC, smartphone, or tablet. Streaming sites leverage the horsepower of more capable devices to render and run complex games, so they can convert your game feed into a shareable video stream.
What Do I Need to Stream Games?
Every PC gaming enthusiast knows that a successful gaming requires a stable internet connection. With high-speed internet, you won’t have to worry about shoddy frame rates or dips in audio quality. Keep an audience gripped in the throes of gameplay by connecting your PC directly to the modem or router. WiFi will only make matters worse. Next, you need streaming software. Unlike streaming sites, software isn’t usually free. Most professional streamers find it worthwhile to pay monthly, quarterly, or annual fees for better service and more flexibility. With a microphone, you’ll be able to provide commentary, react to other live-streamed games, and build your brand as a veritable streamer. If you’re using a built-in microphone, you might want to invest in a quality pair of headphones to avoid game audio.
You can add another element to the live-streaming experience by investing in a webcam, so your followers can see your reactions as you play. Video plays an important part in any branding strategy, especially if you hope to become a paid live-streaming gamer. Console gaming enthusiasts that stream from anything other than Xbox or PS4 will need a capture card to transmit over the internet. Last but not least, you need to pick a streaming service.
Game streaming is a fun and interactive way to meet fellow gaming enthusiasts. Best of all, you can earn a reputation as a top-of-the-line broadcaster and gain viewership from around the world.