Game commentary and streaming have now become popular hobbies that anyone can easily take up. Once you experience the fun of communicating with your audience while playing your favorite game, you’ll become addicted. For those who want to start distributing games, we will explain the minimum equipment and standard software that you should have.
When distributing PC games, the most important thing is the “PC specs.” The CPU and GPU require a certain amount of power because the distribution software encodes (compresses and converts) the video while the game is running. If you have a recent mid-spec gaming PC or above, you can stream without any problems in most cases.
When distributing video from a home game console (Switch, PS5, etc.) to a PC, a device called a “capture board” is required. Use this to import video and audio from your game console to your PC. The external USB connection type is easy to set up and is recommended for beginners.
Additionally, a microphone is essential for communicating with viewers. Initially, you can use the headset’s built-in microphone, but if you are particular about sound quality, get a unidirectional condenser microphone connected to USB. It is difficult to pick up surrounding noise and allows you to deliver your broadcast with a clear voice.
The standard distribution software is “OBS Studio”, which is free and has many functions. From adjusting the screen layout to setting the volume balance and connecting to distribution platforms (Twitch, YouTube, etc.), this is all you need. At first, you may be confused by the large number of setting items, but there are many explanatory articles on the internet, so you are sure to find the settings that suit your environment.
Once you have the equipment and software, all you have to do is press the broadcast button. At first, you may not have any viewers, but don’t worry, prioritize your own enjoyment and start your game streaming life!