There are tons of gamers out there, and while most do it for fun, others are going the extra mile to earn a living from their passion. One popular way to do this is by streaming their content live to viewers worldwide on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
Like gamblers lean towards new casino sites, gamers in the saturated eGaming sector have seen the light by streaming their gaming sessions live. Here are some reasons why:
- Cable TV subscriptions were at an all-time high in the past. Nonetheless, the new dispensation is seeing people key into live TV packages.
- In households where live TV subscription plans are active, 19% of viewing time goes into live content.
- People prefer viewing live videos rather than their pre-recorded forms. For many, the thrill of the former is exhilarating.
With the live streaming market racking up the numbers each day, revamping your gaming hobby into a career is bound to yield positives.
Although streaming might seem easy on the surface, there’s a lot of effort behind the scenes. To attract viewers to your budding channel, even as a newbie, you need the right knowledge and equipment. Practice makes perfect, so you’ll hone your craft with time. However, it is fundamental that you start off with the right gaming gear.
What you’ll need to commence your live stream
As we all know, optics are everything in today’s world. Hence, you must make deliberate efforts to ensure your live stream isn’t characterized by glitches and whatnot.
With that in view, you’ll need the following:
A high-quality webcam
Your webcam is probably the most important part of your gaming setup. Although your gaming PC probably features one, getting an external that captures video in HD is bound to get people tuning in.
There are numerous webcam options out there. A popular one is the Logitech C920s ($70) or the Razer Kiyo ($65 to $100). These deliver top-notch video quality with a pricing scheme that doesn’t break the bank.
Gaming headset
You can use your PC’s microphone. However, gaming headsets are recommended if you’d like to give your audience a personalized experience by filtering the background noise out. Also, these headsets are available at low prices. For instance, the Arctis Prime starts at $100 only.
Lights
No one wants to strain their eyes as they watch you play. As a result, you’ll have a well-lit space with dedicated lights. One light or two is likely to revamp your audience’s experience if you’re on video all the time.
Thankfully, lights don’t bore a seismic hole in your finances. For example, you can buy the “ESDDI PLV-R120 10 “LED Ring Light” for $20.
A dedicated streaming console
Streaming isn’t the easiest of activities. Nonetheless, you can make things straightforward with a streaming console. These devices are important as they provide shortcuts to things like volume levels, gaming effects, social media posts, etc.
If you’d like to have these shortcuts and you’re undecided as to what console or deck to get, consider buying the Elgato Stream Deck MK.2 (which starts at $150).
Conclusion
It’s possible to break into the live streaming market as a newbie. By integrating the right tools and equipment into your live stream, you’re bound to attract the right audience as long as you’ve got the gaming skills. Fortunately, these tools don’t come with very high price tags, so you can get started on a budget.
