Twitch, Nowadays, is the largest community of gamers, with more than 100 million unique video viewers watching major professional tournaments, talk shows and gameplay sessions. The role of the streamer has therefore become central in the medium of video games, and this figure is radically changing the market.
The most famous streamers are considered true internet celebrities, as are some from the world of entertainment and sports. In fact, each celebrity boasts legions of fans all over the world who dedicate all their admiration during live e-sports or during the “hilarious” games of horror video games.
If your dream is to become a celebrity on Twitch, here's all you need to know: come on basic hardware requirements ai advice from professionals on how to keep viewers happy, and consequently increase theengagement of your future community.
What is needed
Un account Twitch
Getting a Twitch account is a breeze, in fact the service allows you to do it for free and without any commitment. The platform also allows you to select avatar, banner e descriptions customizable that will be viewed by followers. If you want to make sure that all broadcasts will be archived for later viewing, just head to Settings> Channel & Videos> Archive Broadcasts.
Streaming from PC
Owning a good computer is the first step to starting a Twitch stream. Most content creators broadcast using the computational power of a single PC, but generally the advice is to have two, one for gaming and the second for streaming. However, at least in the initial stages it is recommended to have a PC that includes a processor Intel Core i5-4670 (or its AMD equivalent), 8GB RAM e Windows 7 or later (You can also stream from Mac).
As for the video card, those who want to broadcast their game live need a card compatible with DirectX 10 and later, which is able to support the workload while playing. The recommended connection speed is 3 megabits per second in upload, which should allow to obtain a satisfactory quality for the live broadcasts.
Twitch's minimum requirements also vary based on the software used to stream gameplay live, but are generally not particularly expensive.
Software to make direct
Conventional software used by Twitch stars allows them to show their gameplay to the whole world. The most used are two: Open Broadcasting Software (OBS), completely free, and XSplit, which has a very simple interface but in fact it is a paid solution. Along with OBS and XSplit there are also StreamLabs e TwitchStudio (the latter developed by Twitch itself ndR), which also allow you to broadcast live, however they are currently under development, in fact some features may not work properly.
Regardless of the choice of software, the direct configuration consists of several general dictates: the devices (monitor, gameplay or webcam feed), the layout - how the instruments will be seen by listeners - and, finally, syncing between Twitch and the chosen program.
Streaming from console or via PC
Nowadays, broadcasting has never been easier, in fact it is possible to share your experience with a current / old generation console. On Xbox One / Xbox Series X | S just download the Twitch app for free, while on PS4 / PS5 you can stream live via Sony's integrated solution. On the Nintendo Switch, however, it is necessary instead to use an acquisition card connected to your PC.
The best experience is to connect a capture card anyway to your console, although some of them have a dedicated application. A "Game Capture" in fact allows you to share the gameplay ensuring optimal image quality with a resolution in FullHD at 60 frames per second, thus reducing all those graphic artifacts that can be created during a live stream. At the same time, the capture cards are accompanied by dedicated software with additional features. The main solutions available on the market are:
- Elgato HD 60S
- Elgato HD 60 S Plus
- Elgato HD 60 Pro
- Elgato HD 4K Pro
- Elgato Screen Link
- Avermedia Live Gamer Extreme 2 (GC551)
- Avermedia Live Gamer Ultra (GC553)
- Avermedia Live Gamer Portable 2 Plus (GC513)
- Avermedia Live Gamer Mini (GC311)
- Avermedia Live Gamer HD 2 (GC570)
- Avermedia Live Gamer 4K (GC573A)
- Razer Ripsaw HD
Read also: Video capture card | The best of 2021
While using a capture card improves the personalization of broadcasts, live streaming from consoles is the most convenient (in purely economic terms) and fastest way to test the waters of Twitch.
Microphone and Video Camera
The microphone is essential for communicating with your followers. The headset of a headset can be a good choice, but if you want to become a true professional, we advise you to invest a few tens of euros more to buy a quality microphone, to significantly improve the audio quality of your live broadcasts. The Blue Yeti is a good choice, while if you want to save some money you can opt for the Samson meteor mic. Obviously the discriminate is your budget.
At the same time, the webcam also plays an essential role for aspiring streamers. The most logical purchase falls on Logitech HD Pro C920, which allows you to record videos in 1080p resolution with a good viewing angle. Many professional streamers also use a green screen, which allows you to overlay the image captured by the webcam with the gameplay. However, it is possible to achieve the same result by purchasing a Logitech C922 or the more expensive Razer Kiyo, which offer automatic background removal.
How to broadcast live
If you want to find out all the steps to take to broadcast on Twitch you can consult our previous guide.
Create a community
Usually Twitch broadcasts are born in their homes, in fact many celebrities take advantage of the bedroom to grow with their supporters, and by "growing" we do not simply mean playing recent video games or having an ultra-pumped PC. The best streamers in circulation are true entertainers; many of them are famous for their amazing shooter headshots, while others are famous for finishing a title in twenty minutes.
To grow on Twitch, you must also obtain one or more partnerships (in addition to the one offered by Twitch itself), which allow you to earn money and offer exclusive benefits in exchange for a monthly subscription.
Find your niche
How can you assert yourself among millions of streamers on Twitch? It is necessary to find your own niche of users who share your same passion and a lot of patience. You don't necessarily need to dress up as a pirate or show off a cosplayer outfit, but find your own skill to show off to the platform, or a cute cat to place in front of the webcam during Counter-Strike matches. In short, our advice is to find your specialty and show it to everyone without hesitation.
Be consistent
Consistency is a crucial element - a lot of people tune in to their TV show every night, the same goes for live streaming on Twitch. If you decide to broadcast in the afternoon or in the morning you must allow all your users to know exactly the times in which they go live. Remember to specify your schedule well on the Twitch page and other social channels.
Be interactive and make friends
What sets Twitch apart from other forms of entertainment is that audiences are almost always a key part of the experience. All broadcasts are accompanied by a chat room, which allows streamers to interact directly with viewers. The more you can make viewers feel like they're sitting comfortably on the couch, the more chances you have of building a solid community.
Interaction is the priority for all content creators, in fact, some of the most famous streamers have a dedicated monitor to observe everything that happens in the chats.
Don't worry about the equipment (initially)
Just because your favorite streamer has a super webcam, a green screen and two high-end PCs doesn't mean you have to have the same setup - at least in the early days. Twitch's requirements are quite lax; This means that you can initially focus on growing your audience and later on transforming your room into a recording studio.
Be patient and enjoy
Twitch is synonymous with fun and for this reason you have to have fun and always be pro-active. To be successful in this particular platform it takes a lot of patience and hard work, as in all fields. To conclude, it is very important to remember that we are talking about video games. Whether it's a hobby or something that will hopefully become a career, streaming should be fun - the more you have fun, the more those who watch you will have fun.
