So you’ve decided to try making some extra cash by playing some video games. Congrats! You’re in the right place. In this article, I will teach you the ins and outs of becoming a streamer playing Nintendo, Microsoft, and other popular games.
The Basics
Getting started with gaming streaming is straightforward and doesn’t require any previous experience. All you need is a reliable WiFi connection, a microphone, and a computer or mobile device to play on. You can use any of these to stream games to your audience.
Before you begin streaming, you should determine whether you’ll use a PC or Mac to play. The preferred platform for most gamers is Windows, followed by MacOS and then Linux. However, game companies don’t always release their products for multiple platforms, so you might have to choose between playing on a PC or Mac.
PC vs Mac
If you have a PC or Mac, then the choice is easy. You can use your existing hardware to play any games released for Windows. Streamers using Macs usually purchase an external USB microphone to maximize sound quality. Not sure which platform is best for you? Check out this post where we’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of both PCs and Macs.
Setting Up Your Gaming Room
Whether you decide to play on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you’ll need room to set up and enjoy your games. For PC and Mac users, this means an entire dedicated gaming space. With just a small TV and a gaming chair, you can play on smaller devices such as phones and tablets. Of course, the size of your TV will determine how good of a view you have of the screen. The bigger the TV, the better!
If you have a PC, then you should consider installing a dedicated gaming router from Netgear or Asus to provide faster speeds and better gaming experiences for your Internet connections.
What to Look Forward To
Once you’ve determined that streaming is for you, you can start looking forward to the perks that come with the job. Play during prime hours when your audience is open to take advantage of, or play when no one is on your side to dodge detection.
The most prominent perk of being a gamer streamer is the ability to work remotely. With the rise of the gig economy, more and more people are able to work remotely. With the right equipment, you can easily transmit your screen to someone else so they can take over while you’re playing. This not only gives you the flexibility to play when and where you want but also allows you to take advantage of your audience while you’re playing.
Disadvantages
Although there are many advantages to being a gamer streamer, there are also some disadvantages. One of the main drawbacks is the lack of stability. Since your videos are live, any technical glitches or unforeseen delays will negatively affect your audience. Another disadvantage is the lack of control. Game streaming is essentially a job you delegate to someone else. They will have full control over what happens on your screen while you sit back and relax.
How To Monetise
Now that you have your gaming space set up and established, you can start thinking about how to monetise your hobby. The most obvious way is to use ads or sponsorships to fund your streaming activities. The advantage of using ads is that you can target specific demographics with certain products or services. Sponsorships work better for smaller channels as they allow you to connect with your audience on a more personal level.
Choosing A Niche
Deciding what games you’ll play and stream is an essential part of the process. Just because you’re a gamer doesn’t mean you’ll automatically want to play all the latest titles released by the biggest game companies. There are hundreds of amazing games out there that haven’t been released for mobile devices yet, so you can specialize in playing these games and getting paid to do so. For example, if you love strategy games and haven’t played one released this year, then you might want to look into specializing in Hearthstone streamers or games of an earlier era such as DOS.
The Evolution Of Gaming
In the previous section, we discussed the various advantages of being a gamer streamer. Now that you have a better idea of what the job entails, let’s discuss the evolution of gaming and the effects it’s had on the world of streaming.
As video games evolved from being a pastime to a form in its own right, so did the way we played them. When video games first came around, they were largely used for entertainment purposes. However, as the industry grew, so did the importance of gameplay in video games. Today, if you put out a game that isn’t good, you’ll likely hear gamers talk about how bad the gameplay is or how buggy the game is. If you can’t experience the gameplay yourself, you’ll never be able to know if the game is any good or not.
This is why today’s gamers are so adamant about good gameplay. If the gameplay is compelling and original, they’ll ignore all the other bugs and glitches in the game. On the other hand, if the gameplay isn’t up to snuff, then the bugs and glitches will severely hamper the experience for the player. When this occurs, all the other advantages of playing video games disappear and are never brought back.
The effects that gaming has had on society are profound. Not only has it given us many memorable moments, but it has also helped to spawn a new industry. In the coming years, as more and more people look for ways to earn extra money, gaming could become a very lucrative career path. Just imagine what would happen if all the AAA game publishers suddenly decided to give their employees paid time off to work on their hobbies.
If you’re just entering the field or if you’re considering switching careers, then this article is for you. You should learn everything you can about this exciting new industry so that you can become the best possible version of yourself.