Streaming has become an independent industry and a fantastic way to reach a wider audience and profit from your gaming endeavors. Gaming, in general, has become more popular thanks to social media and streaming platforms such as YouTube and Twitch.
But setting up a stream can be tedious and time-consuming if you’re a novice. Though it’s not impossible. Below you can find some pro tips and a detailed guide on how to start your streaming empire. Before you proceed, make sure you have the following streaming equipment:
- A gaming device or console
- Great internet connection
- A headset or an external microphone
- A webcam
Streaming From Windows PC
Twitch Streaming
Twitch is currently one of the leaders in the streaming industry. It has the potential to reach a broad audience in a short amount of time. Bear in mind that if you choose Twitch, you will have to install other applications to support your streaming needs.
Here’s how to do it:
Step 1. Sign up for a Twitch account.
Step 2. Once you’ve signed up, you will receive a unique sequence of numbers that acts as your streaming key. You will need it to link your platform with one of many broadcasting apps that are partners of Twitch. These are some apps and tools that Twitch recommends:
- Streamlabs OBS
- Open Broadcaster Software
- StreamElements
Step 3. Now, it’s time to choose the type of stream you’d like to broadcast. Users that want a simple stream without any special effects can use apps like Open Broadcaster Software. For individuals who’d like to bedazzle their stream with templates, animations, and other branding options, Streamlabs OBS is a great choice. Once installed, you will need to enter your streaming key to connect the apps with your Twitch profile.
Step 4. Lastly, play around with settings to make sure you’ve created a perfect streaming platform. Make sure to customize and optimize the stream quality, audio levels, and video and audio sources. Voila, you’re ready to stream!
Streaming with Mixer
Mixer is a built-in Windows streaming app that is pretty convenient and interactive. But even though the set-up process is much more straightforward, the audience is smaller.
Here’s how to stream with Mixer:
Step 1. Sign up for an account via the Mixer’s website or the Windows Game Bar. You can access the Windows game bar in-game by pressing the Windows key + G.
Step 2. Once you’ve signed up and opened the Game Bar, click the “Broadcast” button, which is located right next to the red record button. Then, tweak the settings to fit your personal needs.
Step 3. Lastly, click the “Start broadcast” button, and your streaming session will begin.
Streaming From Playstation 4
Twitch Streaming
If you’re using PS4 and would like to stream via Twitch, then you’re in luck. PS4 has a dedicated streaming button that makes the whole process convenient and straightforward.
Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1. Create a Twitch account.
Step 2. Once you’ve created your account, press the “Share” button on your controller. Then, choose the “Broadcast gameplay” option and link your Twitch account. If you’d like to capture your reactions on camera, you will need Sony’s PlayStation Eye Camera.
Step 3. Once you’ve performed all the steps above, you will have to redo a couple of steps. Every time you’d like to stream, you will need to hit the “Share” button and then the “Broadcast gameplay” button. After that, choose a service you prefer, title your stream, and disable or enable the comment section. If you’d like to end the stream, press the “Share” button again, and the stream will stop.
YouTube Streaming
Streaming with YouTube is also easy, and it takes only a couple of minutes to set up:
Step 1. Press the “Share” button on your PS4 controller.
Step 2. Select YouTube and enter your login credentials. If you want to capture your reactions on camera, once again, you will need Sony’s PlayStation Eye Camera.
Step 3. Once you sign in, play around with the settings. Make sure to adjust the stream quality, type in the stream title, and enable or disable the comment section.
Step 4. Lastly, click the “Start Broadcasting” button, and your stream will be live.
Is Streaming Secure?
Streaming is quite safe when you have a smaller audience. But once your audience grows in size, your privacy is at risk of getting compromised. In recent years, activities such as doxing, DDoS attacks, and IP leaking have become an issue for streamers:
- Doxing describes leaking someone’s private information and publishing it online.
- DDoS attack refers to a malicious individual wanting to flood the streamer’s system with an overload of traffic.
- It results in system compromise and inability to access the service due to an overload of bogus requests.
Luckily, precautionary measures exist. Using them creates a safe streaming environment for streamers and their audience. VPN is one of the most popular solutions that help to prevent privacy risks. It encrypts your internet connection and masks your IP address. And it only takes a couple of minutes to set up but keeps you safe and protected in the long run. That makes using a VPN an excellent practice for all streamers. Unfortunately, many gamers often overlook it.
The Bottom Line
The streaming industry is growing in size and popularity. Streamers can get amazing business opportunities such as partnerships and sponsorships, and have fun while making money. Setting up a stream can seem tedious, but don’t let that discourage you from trying. All the good things in life need some effort and patience. Good luck!