Board 8 > Do any of you stream gaming content regularly?

(+) Yeah! (+)

Thinking about getting into it. I know it's a massive learning curve with a ton of difficulty getting started. Any tips or advice would be really appreciated.

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You should do hot tub streams

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Honestly I want a hot tub real bad so I'm down

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Not an expert but do it from time to time. This is pretty basic advice but maybe some of it will help.

Use Streamlabs OBS. It's by far the most intuitive and simple software for streaming.

Don't expect crazy viewer counts (or even above 5-10 regularly) for a very long time. Play something you have fun with and focus on that rather than stream numbers or being successful. Talk through your though process and interact with anyone in chat, obviously, but at the end of the day, it's just you playing video games and sharing it so extra people can watch.

If you're serious about it, think about getting some handy bits and pieces like an intro or "technical difficulties" card.

Webcam feels like practically a necessity in some corners, but I don't think that's the case. If you're comfortable with it, it's a good idea, but it's not required.

Spend a little while testing your audio and stream with other people before starting if you can. Making sure the game/mic audio is balanced is really important, and nobody wants to hear someone breathing into their mic. I don't think a great mic or webcam is a necessity, but the inbuilt mic for a PC or laptop probably won't be good enough.

It's pretty easy to not get doxxed these days if you're small, and things like Discord have an automatic streamer mode. Despite that, you wanna probably put up a card to show when you're setting up stream things. You really shouldn't be streaming anything other than a game, your camera, or maybe video footage of others, and it's important that there's no black screen because there's not much more offputting than staring at literally nothing. Generally, be really careful to only show your game, not your desktop, files or browser. Use the game capture option wherever possible. You may want to make alternative accounts which can't be traced back to you if you plan to stream YT or google things on stream for whatever reason, although I'm not sure how likely that is.

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Sheep007 posted...

It's pretty easy to not get doxxed these days if you're small, and things like Discord have an automatic streamer mode. Despite that, you wanna probably put up a card to show when you're setting up stream things. You really shouldn't be streaming anything other than a game, and it's important that there's no black screen because there's not much more offputting than staring at literally nothing. Generally, be really careful to only show your game, not your desktop, files or browser. Use the game capture option wherever possible.

This is solid advice that I just horrified myself thinking about. I can imagine plenty of rookie streamers have gotten caught with a p**n tab open on their desktop lol

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Pun does. Are you smarter than pun?

ChainLTTP posted...

Pun does. Are you smarter than pun?

it's more about being entertaining tbh

I think i'm pretty entertaining. I feel like I'd show up to watch me embarrass myself in Smash Bros

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Make sure to always stream right after Arsenal games so you can be angry which is funny.

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RyoCaliente posted...

Make sure to always stream right after Arsenal games so you can be angry which is funny.

I don't even get angry at them anymore dude it's like the life has been sucked out of me entirely. I can't even feel strong negative emotions and even the positive ones are just like pleasant surprise lmao

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To get any type of following you either need a huge personality or "a HUGE "Personality"".

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Every now and then I think about trying it but then I realize I'd probably get tired of it and I'm not interesting enough anyway.

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ExThaNemesis posted...

I don't even get angry at them anymore dude it's like the life has been sucked out of me entirely. I can't even feel strong negative emotions and even the positive ones are just like pleasant surprise lmao

You can always just fake it. >_>
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entered my first online tournament and got 3-stocks twice in loser's by a Samus player.

smh

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ChainLTTP posted...

Pun does. Are you smarter than pun?

Was that necessary

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well, I recently got my first twitch check and I'm half way to getting my next already so I can give some advice

While there IS a curve, its not that is hard, but its just..foreign? you'll have to learn the program and how to use it. I just BARELY got around to using the more advanced stuff so no worries, you can still stream and learn along the way, you don't have to do it all at once. you can easily have someone show you the ropes too

I use a program called OBS studio
Streamlabs apparently sucks and uses too much CPU. Yea, theres always gonna be people that swear by it like Tarvould, but I can vouch its a good program

but the most important thing is the mindset. If you're thinking you're gonna be the next hotshot streamer, thats probably not gonna be a good idea. I've seen many people legit leave their jobs for this stuff and fail. Its like saying "I'm gonna be in the NBA!" when you're 30 and have no previous basketball skill. This ain't no goofy disney movie, its probably not gonna happen, ya know? I think being a financially successful streamer usually means you need something ELSE going on too. Like you being a youtuber or something. I feel like these people make both fanbases feed into each other (Youtube audience watches the stream and streamers go to the youtube channel). JUST being a streamer and wanting to make it, theres too much going against you.

This definitely just needs to be a hobby. and one of which doesn't cause you stress. You CAN make a schedule but its generally not a good idea for like, mental health. Just jump on when you can. at LEAST try to be consistent with your times if you can. but yea, people can still find your VODs and see you that way too

and one important thing to do is to have a layout. Even I didn't get one until recently. You'd THINK people would be just interested in the game and would just WANT the game displayed only, but people are legit gonna be interested in you more and will come back for you. THATS the audience you want. So you gotta have nice stuff there for them.

You're worried you might be boring but again, thats just putting stress on yourself. Just be you. I will at least say the only thing you SHOULD be mindful of is don't be droning. don't be learning back just barely talking or something. Put some pep in your step, and try to explain your thought process of actions during the gameplay. If you get reminded of a story or something interesting pops in your head, go and and recite it. Be ready to engage viewers if they start talking to you, welcome them

etc

One last thing I can think of is have a social media for this stuff. Twitter, Discord, etc. Give a way for people to interact with you off stream.

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That all sounds like excellent advice, Pun, and I'm glad you're treating this as a hobby (hopefully one you really enjoy), but the fact that it took you weeks (months?) of streaming to earn your first $100 check was eye-opening for me. It seems like hardly anyone can merely eke out a living from being a Twitch streamer, let alone becoming the next big thing.

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I'm already halfway to my next check but I also stepped up and improved a bunch of things recently too. If I had done these things much sooner, I probably would've gotten my first payment way earlier (and yes, took 8 months to get my first check, I stream on and off)

but yea, I'll never say "You will see instant success if you do these things" either

It STILL might not work anyways.

this is like playing guitar on the side of the street and collecting change from passerbyers . You gotta just like putting on a show, you seriously don't do it for the pennies

BUUUUUUUUUUUUT, if you're gonna be doing your hobby ANYWAYS, YOU MAY AS WELL be collecting those pennies, ya know? :D

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and yes, I do enjoy doing this, but um, I fell into a slump because I HATED playing Ace Attorney Investigations lol. Now that I beat it, I feel free again.

Thats actually another thing. Don't ...play games you don't enjoy. I mean, I love the AA trilogy, I didn't think I would hate AAI going in, but um, I probably should've dropped it a long time ago since it was terrible


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also I'll tag @SantaRPG

he started AFTER me and is already more successful than me LOL

He got the hang of this stuff super quick

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Yeah I mostly just wanna do it as a hobby and as a pre-cursor for competing in Ultimate. If I can make money on the side that'd be cool but I'm not counting on it.

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Yeah. Don't stream for the potential of money. As a VERY low end streamer, I made at most $500 in 3 years. Working retail gets me that in a week....I mean, I play JRPGs and rhythm games...so...yeah. Wasn't gonna get a huge audience for that.

Doing it for fun or building an audience is a more viable situation.

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Punnyz posted...

also I'll tag @SantaRPG

he started AFTER me and is already more successful than me LOL

He got the hang of this stuff super quick

whats his twitch name

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Punnyz posted...

I've seen many people legit leave their jobs for this stuff and fail.

speaking of which, is gildedfool still streaming? >_>;

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Mr Lasastryke posted...

speaking of which, is gildedfool still streaming? >_>;

according to his Twitch channel, he hasn't streamed in two months

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CaptainOfCrush posted...

That all sounds like excellent advice, Pun, and I'm glad you're treating this as a hobby (hopefully one you really enjoy), but the fact that it took you weeks (months?) of streaming to earn your first $100 check was eye-opening for me. It seems like hardly anyone can merely eke out a living from being a Twitch streamer, let alone becoming the next big thing.

This...this...this...this. Unless you grow at an absurd rate out of nowhere, know a streamer who will give you raids and a massive head start, or whatever, growth is almost non-existant at the best of times. Said growth does not mean cheers, bits, subs either. Those are very hard to come by. The only people I've seen get hype trains and even a decent monthly payout are variety or retro streamers getting 500-1000 followers (some at 2k-3k). Or those who have built in audiences from somewhere THEN do Twitch with that built in base. Most are Youtubers who find Youtube gives them shit for money and Patreon and Twitch offer way more direct funding than CPMs do. That or crazy skilled esports or speedrunner people. I think 2 million or more channels exist now. I don't think most Partners make living wages much less the .00000000001%.

The fact those are even super low numbers by Twitch standards is striking. The bell curve is real. I think there are cases you get some high sub counts, but that is very rare or a heavy "first tier/free Prime sub" sort of scenario. People spending money on you and making that a "thing" that just happens is not an expectation, nor should ever be considered as such. Making a living wage of this is damn near impossible.

If you have the startup money to do Twitch or Youtube, it is a great outlet for creativity or expression or just playing games for the hell of it. I use it as a way to act or do public speaking practice rather than chat or get to know people. Just know it is a sort of "sunken cost" done more for the enjoyment of doing it rather than trying to make the money...much less making money back on what you spend.

*Sounds REALLY fucking jaded...not trying to be*

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Nah it's all very good and realisitc info.

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For the record , when I made that post , I was referring to a half a dozen customers that came in to the store and told me they were doing that. Then I saw them like two months later and they had a totally different job because it didn't work out. So they were idiots and probably expected the Moon in the first week.

I feel gilded fool did everything he could and did it right, and I was rooting for him. I feel bad it didn't work out

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The only real surefire way to make a living on twitch is to stream only one game (as long as it has an active playerbase), and be one of the best people in the world at it. You can be dull as dirt and people will still watch you if you are skilled enough.

Most people on twitch just want to watch someone play their favorite game.

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That or chat about themselves...Just Chatting is a thing I don't get, but is popular as fuck.

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I sometimes use the study with me/co-working streams in Just Chatting to get work done. It's a psychological thing where seeing someone do work may push you to get things done. But yes, I do get that won't work on everyone.

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I'd imagine Just Chatting is more slanted toward female streamers than gaming-based streams.

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Strife2 posted...

That or chat about themselves...Just Chatting is a thing I don't get, but is popular as f***.

how do you not get it

would you rather hang out with a person who is talking to you... or a person who is playing video games while you talk to them.

Basically if you want to get into twitch streaming, watch twitch streaming. Go into a bunch of different types of streams, follow the people you think are interesting, fun, and have the kind of communities you want to attract. The majority of people I see on twitch are zoomers, so mind your pronouns, be polite and sensitive and read the room before you say anything even kind of negative. If you find your people, and there's a lot of different type of people on twitch, they'll support you when you start to stream, and usually throw some subs your way when you first make it to affiliate.

Also you can make a pretty decent living on it if you put the time in and build your community right and by "decent living" I mean a few hundred bucks a month, but that's decent for sitting on a chair and playing video games.

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Also the whole "you have to stream the popular games" is not true. I had a pretty popping chat the other day when I was playing bratz girls really rock for the wii. And I got quite a few followers from it.

Just stream what you think will be interesting, and people like you will follow you.

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As a Twitch affiliate, I can confirm that you just have to stream a lot.

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You definitely need a schedule for any real growth. There's nothing that turns people off more than not knowing when they'll be able to find you streaming, because they're not gonna come back if they don't know when to come back. If you're just doing it 100% as a hobby, then it's unnecessary, but if you actually wanna build viewers you've gotta have some kind of consistency.

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Just Chatting makes sense if you want that personal interaction and want to gab and shoot the shit with people. That's not my personal interest in being on a platform. The majority of people seek interesting people and think, "They are cool. I'll follow them." I'm the inverse. The game itself has to be my priority, then I filter through, "Is the person I'm watching interesting or charismatic to me." So, if they stream something I don't personally care about...well, I don't watch them then. After all, following a streamer who is playing FF is one thing. If the same streamer turns around and becomes a COD streamer or does that a majority of the time...well, I kinda wait around until they play FF again.

Game first > streamer's charisma/talking style > audio/visual setup (as a rule for me)

I will say this: do NOT play a game you yourself won't get into. It's one thing to play a game an audience thinks you should try. I know a guy got a bunch of viewers saying,
"Play FFX you nerd." (Because that's FFX and FFX is fucking amazing). I mean as a rule: pick a main game or genre you like and want to stream all the time and see yourself wanting to do. If you choose to chase a trend, you may find yourself living a lie.

I mean, if you get viewers that way, fine...but people can see right away if streamers actually enjoy what they are doing.

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I used to stream Soulsborne content. I'm really, really good at those games but I don't think that matters as much as your ability to entertain.

Maybe 10 people watched me one time, usually it was between 0-2.

Anyway, I stopped doing that after a while.

My advice is to be prepared to promote yourself and learn how to do it effectively. Also if people actually tune in you should be capable of entertaining them without it coming across as forced or fake. Alternately you can pay for a bunch of bots to boost your view count. When people see a stream with lots of views, "legitimate" viewers will naturally show up to watch as well.


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Geosanta posted...

Also the whole "you have to stream the popular games" is not true. I had a pretty popping chat the other day when I was playing bratz girls really rock for the wii. And I got quite a few followers from it.

Just stream what you think will be interesting, and people like you will follow you.

Yeah I'm not as worried about being good at it. I feel like the angle I'm attacking from is the underdog story of people watching me try and succeed from a place of general failure. My two games of choice are Smash and FIFA so I know I'll have to also be more entertaining than the million other people playing those games but I'm pretty entertaining like I said.

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Also I've never had a regular schedule and it hasn't really hurt me too much

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Santa whats your Twitch name

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I'm thinking like 3 nights during my work week for 1-2 hours, and then one longer stream on my Saturday (Monday) for like 3-4 would be sufficient.

Monday also works coz there's a weekly Smash tournament I plan to start entering then.

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Also, when I say regular schedule, I don't necessarily mean like an actual written out "MWF 2-4, S 3-6" or whatever. The real big streamers tend to do that. I just mean like a general consistency where viewers can atleast have a basic idea of when to find you. If they know they have a chance of finding you on weekday afternoons, that'll help. What hurts is like, if one week you stream at 8am Monday, then 5pm Thursday, then 10am Friday, and then you don't stream again until the following Saturday at 8pm, and so on. That's just going to annoy people and you're not going to grow much.

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