Streaming video games has become a popular form of entertainment, but if you’re trying to live stream games from your own PC, figuring out where to begin can be difficult, whether it's finding the right hardware and software or simply choosing your streaming platform. 

To help you start your journey to becoming a video game streamer, we’ve written this guide about how to live stream games. We’ve included everything you’ll need to get started and find your audience. 
 

What is game streaming? A quick reminder

Game streaming is playing a game on your PC or console while broadcasting it to the streaming platform of your choice. Many live streamers also include overlaid video (often from a webcam) to show themselves playing and reacting to the game and their viewers. 

Fans, friends, and strangers can then tune in to the broadcast and either watch passively or engage with streamers through a live chat room.
 

Streaming setup: What do you need to stream on a PC?

To get your PC stream setup going, you'll need a handful of things. 

First, you’ll need a PC (desktop or laptop) that can handle running games while also running your preferred broadcasting software. Peripherals like a quality microphone and webcam (if you plan on streaming live video of yourself) are also standard. 

Optional (but nice-to-have) peripherals can help increase the quality of your presentation and create a more dynamic broadcast. Those include soundboards for dialing in the right mix of audio between the sound of the game and your commentary, additional cameras, and even hardware that puts stream-enhancing tasks a button-press away. 

A fast internet connection with beefy upload speeds is another important factor. Robust upload bandwidth ensures your stream is sent out at high resolution without lag or drops. Good download speeds are important as well, especially if you’re playing online games. Remember, a wired Ethernet connection from your PC to the internet is more reliable and preferable to WiFi. 
 

Do you need a powerful computer to stream?

It depends on what you plan to stream. You don’t necessarily need a powerful PC, but a low-end PC can limit your options. 

If you want to do any high-end PC gaming streaming, you will need a beefy desktop or laptop that can handle running graphically intensive AAA titles while also simultaneously running stream broadcasting software and peripherals like mics and cameras.

In general, the more powerful your PC, the better your stream (and its production) can look, especially when it comes to sending out a higher framerate and resolution. 
 

How much internet do you need for streaming?

If you plan on streaming, a strong and consistent upload speed is important. Upload speed for broadband connections is typically measured in Mbps or megabits per second. 

Your upload speed requirements depend on the resolution and frame rate at which you intend to broadcast your content. Here are some common combinations. 

• For 720p resolution at 30 fps, the general recommendation is an upload speed of at least 3 Mbps. 
• For 720p at 60 fps or for 1080p at 30 fps, the recommendation increases to 4.5 Mbps. 
• For 1080p at 60 fps, you’re looking at 6 Mbps.

Streaming at higher resolutions is possible and would likely require more than 6 Mbps of upload bandwidth. Viewers often opt for 720p or 1080p, so that’s a reasonable target. 

If you plan on streaming any PC games with online features, make sure that you have a fast download speed as well. For the strongest connections and most consistent speeds, use a wired Ethernet connection (and consider plugging directly into your router). While it is possible to stream over Wi-Fi, results can be inconsistent. 
 

How to stream from a PC

Once you’ve got your broadcast rig together and figured out your internet connection, the next step is to learn the actual process of streaming from a PC. 

Your basic procedure for pre-show preparation and streaming should look something like this:

1. Choose your streaming platform.
2. Create an account on your platform of choice.
3. Install any gaming and streaming software.
4. Configure your gameplay and broadcast settings in your streaming software.
5. Set up your scenes/sources in your streaming software. 
6. Add your overlays and alerts to your streaming software scenes/sources.
7. Configure your streaming software’s audio ins and outs.
8. Preview your stream in your streaming software.
9. Start your stream.
10. Engage with your audience while gaming.
11. End your stream.
12. Review your broadcast and take notes on how to improve.

Choosing the right streaming service

There are several streaming services available for new broadcasters to choose from. Do some research, and pick a service with a reputation for having the audience that you’re hoping to reach while offering opportunities for you to grow your audience. 

There are a number of factors to consider, including:

• A platform’s audience and reach
• How easy it is to use the platform and broadcast to it
• The streaming quality on the platform
• The platform’s monetization options for new users
• What community engagement is like
• Content storage and sharing
• Copyright and content policies
• Ease of discoverability
• How well it integrates with other services
• Mobile streaming options
• Networking opportunities that the platform can create for you
• The quality and consistency of its technical support
• What customization options it offers
• The quality and feedback of its analytics tools
• Platform consistency and stability
• Community guidelines, atmosphere, and whether they match you and your target audience

Choosing the right streaming software

Picking the right streaming software for your PC includes several considerations. While picking easy-to-use software is a pretty obvious first step, do some research to ensure that stability and reliability are part of the package. Here are some other factors to consider:

• How compatible the streaming software is with your gaming software and broadcast platform
• The software’s ease of use
• Stream quality options
• Number of encoding options
• Scene and source management options
• Customization options
• Any integration options with your streaming platforms
• Stream chat integration options
• Audio control options
• Performance impact on your PC hardware and internet connection
• Local recording options
• Plugins and extensions
• Multi-platform streaming options and support
• Hotkeys and shortcuts
• Stability and reliability
• Ease and effectiveness of customer support
• Software updates
• Price and licensing costs
• Community support and available tutorials
• Security and privacy

Is streaming games profitable?

Streaming PC games can be profitable, and many platforms offer ad revenue splits for partners as well as external opportunities for growth, depending on your popularity. 

That said, not all streamers make their living from streaming. It takes a lot of hard work, effort, and consistency to make an impact and earn income as a streamer. Still, there are many other benefits to becoming a streamer like the opportunity to find new communities and connect with folks who like the same games as you.
 

What games should you start streaming?

Consider starting with a game that you enjoy playing. Some streamers only play one game or genre on their broadcasts, not just because it's what they like to play, but also because it's what their audience expects of them. Other streamers’ audiences tune to see the latest or most popular games, or because they are a fan of the streamer. 

Fortnite and Fall Guys are popular choices for many streamers who enjoy competitive online games and streaming with groups of friends. MMOs fit the same category of needs. If you’re into single-player campaigns or narrative experiences, games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Red Dead Redemption 2 are solid options. Indie games like Celeste and Hades are popular choices for streamers who focus on variety and speedrunning. 

It’s important to balance your personal tastes and a game’s popularity when choosing what PC games you want to stream. If you’re not enjoying a game, or you’re streaming it just because it’s a hot topic at the moment, your audience might be able to tell, and it could impact your traffic and engagement. 
 

Other helpful tips for beginner streamers

When you first start out streaming, don’t expect things to go perfectly. There are a few things to keep in mind that will keep it fun for you and your audience and help you along your way. 

How to present yourself

Can you be faceless? Should you have a persona? Consider your comfort with being in front of an audience. Not every streamer has a webcam. Some take on personas or prefer to use Vtuber software in part to maintain personal privacy. If you don’t want to show yourself on cam, that’s fine, but let your personality shine even if no one can see you. 

The choice to be yourself or take on an online persona is personal. No matter which way you choose, it’s good to understand that it will take time to smooth out any rough edges and get truly comfortable with engaging an online audience. 

How to protect yourself

Your personal privacy is something you should always keep in mind when streaming. Be sure to protect yourself. Don’t overshare personal information like your home address. Feel free to go by your handle if you’re not comfortable using your real name. Also, moderators and mod bots are a great way to keep would-be trolls and harassers out of your community. 

How to improve the look of your stream

You should always be looking at ways to improve your stream and its presentation. Making custom borders for your stream, backgrounds for your homepage, and custom emotes are all great ways to make you stand out more and give yourself a brand. 

There are a number of ways to enhance the streaming process for both you and your audience, like overlaying your chat room on your broadcast, or playing noises and displaying pop-up animations when people donate. These options might not all be the right fit for you. Align your choices with your channel’s personality. 

How to grow your audience

Think about ways to grow your audience that are natural and organic for you. 

Doing special events like sub-a-thons or themed broadcasts can be a great way to treat your audience while reaching new viewers. You can also focus on becoming a part of your favorite gaming communities. Consider finding streamers who you like to partner with for cross-streaming events.

While it can take a lot of time and effort to run a successful streaming channel, be patient, and make sure to have fun along the way.
 

Get playing and start streaming

Now that you have the tools and knowledge you need to be a streamer, it’s time to get out there and start broadcasting to the world! If you’re looking for the right games for your streams there are many great options for you to choose from right here at the Epic Games Store. Hopefully, with our tips and guidance, you’ll be up and broadcasting in no time. Make sure you check out the Epic Games Store's news page to catch up on the latest from all of your favorite developers about all of your favorite games.