{"id":14852,"date":"2020-09-10T10:37:25","date_gmt":"2020-09-10T14:37:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-715453-3009179.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=14852"},"modified":"2023-04-28T20:09:41","modified_gmt":"2023-04-29T00:09:41","slug":"how-to-start-a-gaming-channel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress-715453-3009179.cloudwaysapps.com\/blog\/how-to-start-a-gaming-channel\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start a Gaming Channel: A 4 Step Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"
Before Fortnite taught us all how to dance, gaming was a different world. Today\u2019s 160 billion dollar industry<\/a> was once just a bunch of friends cramming bulky TVs into a basement every Friday night for some Halo split-screen. Now, watching esports is more popular than watching \u2018real\u2019 sports. So, it\u2019s no surprise that starting your own gaming channel can feel a little bit daunting.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why we\u2019ve put together a four-step guide to help you find your feet.<\/p>\n In this guide, we\u2019ll cover how to become a gaming YouTuber or Twitch streamer by focusing on four key stages to every great channel, including:<\/p>\n Ready to jump in? Let\u2019s go!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Starting a gaming channel is a lot like starting a new game. Before you run off into a level 50 zone and find yourself curled up in a dark corner with all your gear missing, you need to get a sense of direction.<\/p>\n Think of the brainstorming process as your character-creation stage. At this point, you\u2019re just trying to get a sense of how you might build your channel, and who you are as a presenter.<\/p>\n Start by going through gaming channels or streamers you already enjoy and jot down the answers to these questions:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n Take notes, and remember that what\u2019s important here is what resonates with you. You\u2019re far more likely to sustain the energy and enthusiasm needed to grow a channel if you genuinely enjoy the content you\u2019re creating.<\/strong><\/p>\n Once you have a broad idea, start honing in a little bit closer. See if you can solidify your thoughts around the following:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n At the end of this stage, you\u2019re just looking for a basic sketch of the kind of channel you want to launch.<\/p>\n This library of notes and inspiration will be something you can refer to and update as your channel evolves. Remember, the whole point of brainstorming is to get an idea of your starting point – not to tie you to one way of doing things!<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Figuring out what games most popular YouTubers and Twitch streamers play can feel a bit overwhelming. With so many to pick from, it\u2019s hard to know what \u2018the best\u2019 games are!<\/p>\n Generally, it\u2019s a good idea to stick to what you know and love. But if you need some inspiration, here\u2019s a quick round-up of the most popular games YouTubers will be playing in 2020.<\/p>\n Shooters are one of the most popular gaming genres to play for a reason. Huge communities and high-octane gameplay have helped some of the best streamers in the world build their channels into multi-million dollar empires.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sports games have big audiences and are some of the most entertaining to watch. They\u2019re uniquely competitive, simple to play, and easy to jump into.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fast-paced and full of surprises. Racing games are pretty straightforward: don\u2019t drive backward, beat everyone else to the finish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n MOBAs have some of the largest communities on the planet. They also have some of the biggest prize pools in eSports history, with League of Legends 2018 raking in a mouthwatering $6 million!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Battle Royale-style games follow a formula that has captivated millions: take a massive group of players and arm them to the teeth, then shrink the map until there\u2019s one player left to take the glory!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sandbox games combine free-roaming maps with a focus on crafting, solving puzzles and building communities. They\u2019re less fast-paced, but give players the creativity and time to shape their own world.<\/p>\n Generating a library of inspirational gaming channels and content will help you define your personal brand.<\/strong> Starting a gaming channel is as much about who you are as a person as it is the format of your content. If you have a sense of who you want to become, you\u2019re far more likely to see your vision for your channel through!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019ve completed the character phase, and now you\u2019re ready to get going. Now, it’s time to gear up!<\/p>\n Gear is an integral part of starting a gaming channel. But becoming a YouTuber or streamer requires a lot less tech than you might think. As many streamers have pointed out in “what gear do I use” videos, high-end equipment isn\u2019t the defining aspect of your channel. You<\/em> are.<\/strong><\/p>\n Sure, good production value doesn\u2019t hurt\u2014 if you can afford it. But since you\u2019re just setting off, it\u2019s important to focus more on content and less on what camera you\u2019re going to buy at first.<\/p>\n Currently, the top streaming platforms for video games are Twitch (by a considerable margin) and YouTube. If there\u2019s a game you want to play, there\u2019s probably already a community on one of these platforms that wants to see your content.<\/p>\n Keep in mind that how you stream on each platform differs between PC and consoles. There are also differences between Twitch and YouTube<\/a> in terms of how you\u2019ll make money and how your viewers will find you. A lot of gaming channels tend to share their content between Twitch and YouTube, sometimes with more curated content on the latter\u2014though this isn\u2019t set in stone.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Generally, if you already have a decent(ish) PC or console, it\u2019s possible to start a streaming channel with a low initial budget.<\/p>\n How to stream<\/a> depends on your hardware, with different steps required for PC\/Mac, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and mobile gaming.<\/p>\n As a general rule of thumb, computer streaming gives you greater control over your channel during both capture and production but comes with a higher initial investment if you don\u2019t already have a gaming PC.<\/strong><\/p>\n Console streaming is less expensive upfront, but each console differs slightly in streaming functionality. Additionally, unless you buy a capture card<\/a>, consoles offer limited flexibility in terms of what you can do with your streaming.<\/p>\n For PC, you\u2019ll need to download a broadcasting application like OBS<\/a> or XSplit<\/a>. A broadcasting application allows you to capture your gameplay as it happens and send it to Twitch or YouTube. OBS is completely free and generally most streamers\u2019 go-to since XSplit has a tiered pricing model for more advanced features.<\/p>\n For consoles, native streaming via Twitch also differs between brands, with some limitations to streaming via Xbox One (such as zero webcam functionality without a Kinect sensor…which aren\u2019t being made anymore). PS4 seems to have a little more flexibility in this respect, as you can\u2019t stream directly to YouTube with Xbox One either. Keep in mind that this could all change with the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X later this year.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re on a PC or Mac, an entry-level webcam will do, to begin with. Spending b<\/strong>etween $30-$100 is a good investment while you figure out the basics<\/strong>, and brands like Logitech are a great place to start.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re on the Xbox One or PS4, you can use your Kinect or PlayStation Camera.<\/p>\n Both Twitch and YouTube have native video editing functionality on PC. There are also a ton of video editing software tools you can use with varying levels of free or freemium pricing, like Shotcut, Lightworks, DaVince Resolve, and HitFilm Express.<\/p>\n At the higher end, many YouTubers go with Adobe Premiere Pro CC, Final Cut Pro X or Sony Vegas. However, starting on something free and easy will not only save you money, but it\u2019s also a super helpful way to learn the principles of video editing in a low-stakes environment.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n To capture all your gaming witticisms, you\u2019ll need an entry-level mic or headset. If you\u2019re only focusing on pre-recorded content, most smartphones have audio recording functionality that could also work.<\/p>\n Ultimately, you want to make sure you have a minimum level of quality to your audio so that your audience can hear you. To be safe, a good USB mic is a great investment, and there are tons of options available<\/a>. (Blue Microphones are pretty popular entry-level mics, for example).<\/p>\n To sum it up, here\u2019s the recommended basic gear you\u2019ll need to launch your gaming channel:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/p>\n You\u2019ve thought about the personality behind your content and the theme of your channel. You\u2019ve invested time and money in your gear. Now, it\u2019s time to create a brand identity<\/a> that your audience can recognize. This means:<\/p>\n <\/div>\n When you\u2019re thinking of a name, it\u2019s a good idea to keep it relevant to your genre, if you have one.<\/p>\n For instance, if you don\u2019t exclusively play Dark Souls, calling your channel Oberon\u2019s Significant Other, Goblin Fiasco, or Dark Matter, could confuse your audience into thinking you\u2019re a death metal band or craft IPA, and not a gamer (actually, Dark Matter is a pretty sweet name\u2026). If you see yourself as more of a \u2018character\u2019 streamer – like Dr DisRespect<\/a> – think of something that embodies your persona.<\/p>\n Our recommendation? Keep your name short, simple, and broad to begin with.<\/strong> That way, if you end up pivoting later on, your name won\u2019t clash with your content. You can also revisit your brainstorming and see if there\u2019s a vibe that sticks out that you can put a name to. Try using Looka’s free Business Name Generator<\/a> for some easy inspiration.<\/p>\n Ultimately, nobody can tell you what to call your baby, or your Youtube channel. So if you want to call either of them Dingleberry McDingleburger, you go girl!<\/p>\n When starting a gaming channel, you need a logo. Your logo encapsulates the energy of your channel and you want it to fit the character or genre you\u2019re going for.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
Step 1: Brainstorm for your channel<\/h2>\n
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Which games should you play?<\/h2>\n
Shooters<\/h4>\n
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Sports<\/h4>\n
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Racing<\/h4>\n
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Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA)<\/h4>\n
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Battle Royale<\/h4>\n
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Sandbox-style<\/h4>\n
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Summary<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nStep 2: Find the right streaming gear<\/h2>\n
Streaming platform: Twitch or YouTube?<\/h3>\n
Gaming channel hardware: PC or Console?<\/h3>\n
Finding a camera<\/h3>\n
Video editing<\/h3>\n
Picking a mic<\/h3>\n
Summary<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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\nStep 3: Brand and name your gaming channel<\/h2>\n
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Naming your gaming channel<\/h3>\n
Designing a logo<\/h3>\n
Create your gaming channel logo now! <\/h2>\n