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I get asked for streaming tips pretty often. I'm not an expert, but here is a thread of some things I think can help some folks out. They're just my opinions.
#1, Understand why someone would want to watch your stream.
Are they watching to learn about a game because you're one of the best? Or to watch you improve?
Or for conversations about games? Or real-life topics? Or some mix of those things?
Are they watching to learn about a game because you're one of the best? Or to watch you improve?
Or for conversations about games? Or real-life topics? Or some mix of those things?
That's the hardest thing to nail down. Hell, I don't even know why people watch me a lot of the time.
But it's also important to think about because how you approach streaming should reinforce what makes you unique as a streamer.
But it's also important to think about because how you approach streaming should reinforce what makes you unique as a streamer.
(in business / marketing they call this a Unique Selling Proposition)
I can help you with this the least, but it is the most important thing to consider.
I can help you with this the least, but it is the most important thing to consider.
#2, On visual quality. How good your stream looks is HARD CAPPED by your bitrate.
When you DON'T have transcode (quality) options because you are a smaller streamer, you can't push super high bitrates because people won't be able to watch due to net issues.
When you DON'T have transcode (quality) options because you are a smaller streamer, you can't push super high bitrates because people won't be able to watch due to net issues.
So if you don't have transcode, don't try to max out your bitrate, even if YOUR internet allows it.
How do you maximize visual quality with a lower bitrate...?
How do you maximize visual quality with a lower bitrate...?
Limit how much stuff you put on screen. I can't stress this enough.
Everything you put on screen takes part of your bitrate budget (regardless of how large or small that budget is).
The game takes budget. And your cam. And scrolling notifications and backgrounds. Everything.
Everything you put on screen takes part of your bitrate budget (regardless of how large or small that budget is).
The game takes budget. And your cam. And scrolling notifications and backgrounds. Everything.
So MINIMIZE how much stuff is onscreen at one time.
A lot of folks go for gaudy overlays because they feel "professional." It's exactly the opposite in most cases.
A lot of folks go for gaudy overlays because they feel "professional." It's exactly the opposite in most cases.
On the topic of overlays (ATTN Retro Speedrunners), if you're playing a 4:3 game, put your splits / overlay / whatever on the RIGHT side of the screen.
When people pull up chat on mobile fullscreen, it covers the right side. So if that's where your gameplay is, it gets covered.
When people pull up chat on mobile fullscreen, it covers the right side. So if that's where your gameplay is, it gets covered.
Also on visual quality—if your game is running at 30 FPS, stream in 30 FPS.
Even if it isn't, if you don't have a high bitrate, stream in 30 FPS. Your quality will be higher.
On top of that, limit your resolution to 720p if you're having issues.
Even if it isn't, if you don't have a high bitrate, stream in 30 FPS. Your quality will be higher.
On top of that, limit your resolution to 720p if you're having issues.
Even at max bitrate, I sometimes stream games in 720p at 30 FPS when it's appropriate.
And then people ask me if I'm playing emulated rather than hardware because it LOOKS GOOD.
It's just that I'm maximizing bitrate efficiency.
And then people ask me if I'm playing emulated rather than hardware because it LOOKS GOOD.
It's just that I'm maximizing bitrate efficiency.
#3, Sound. This is tough. First things first—get a good audio balance between your voice and the game. Listen on a variety of devices.
Check with headphones, check on a cell, check on a TV. Get the game volume as high as possible WHILE HAVING YOUR VOICE CARRY ON TOP CLEARLY.
Check with headphones, check on a cell, check on a TV. Get the game volume as high as possible WHILE HAVING YOUR VOICE CARRY ON TOP CLEARLY.
Noise-gating is very useful for cutting background noise but understand that the more you use it the worse your overall audio quality will be. It's not a silver bullet.
Keep a quiet background if you can (but use AC if you need—if you're uncomfortable you won't be fun to watch.)
Keep a quiet background if you can (but use AC if you need—if you're uncomfortable you won't be fun to watch.)
When it comes to upgrading stuff, I personally would prioritize audio first if possible, but some simple light upgrades can sometimes be the most cost efficient upgrade.
For most streamers: UPGRADE LIGHTS BEFORE UPGRADING YOUR CAMERA.
If you're using a webcam, it's fine. If you have bad lighting, try to fix that first.
Otherwise you are WASTING YOUR TIME AND MONEY.
If you're using a webcam, it's fine. If you have bad lighting, try to fix that first.
Otherwise you are WASTING YOUR TIME AND MONEY.
I hope one of these tips is helpful to someone out there. Some people may disagree with them. I dunno. These are my thoughts based on my experiences streaming.
If any of this helped, let me know. If you're a streamer with a good tip for others, chime in.
If any of this helped, let me know. If you're a streamer with a good tip for others, chime in.
Thank you for listening to my TED Talk, I guess. And learn how to Google shit. That's an important life skill in any case.
Game on, y'all.
Game on, y'all.
