How to Stream on Twitch: The Ultimate Guide in 2023 – Stream the latest game on the Twitch platform and earn some money at the same time – many people are dreaming of that at the moment. Well-known faces such as Ninja, or RUBIUS, Pokimane impressively show the possibilities in this area. But the three are among the pioneers of the streaming age.
Table of Contents
How to Stream on Twitch: The Ultimate Guide in 2023
They have been able to build up a brand over many years and establish themselves on the Internet. So how do you succeed on Twitch today? This guide serves as an introduction for all those who finally want to start streaming and are now asking themselves: How do I stream on Twitch?
Creating a Twitch account
If you don’t have an account yet, simply follow the instructions on the homepage. To do this, go to Twitch.tv/login or click the Register button .
In the next window, select your username and password. If you plan to stream yourself in the future, you should give a lot of thought to your name, because you will be found on Twitch under this pseudonym.
A memorable nickname is the first step towards a comprehensive online presence. Remember: After successful registration, the Twitch name can only be changed every 60 days! Our guide tells you how you can still change your Twitch name .
Finally, Twitch would like to know your date of birth and an e-mail address , which you should confirm immediately after registering. A Captcha and you already accept the terms and conditions and data protection regulations of the site (which unfortunately are only available in English).
Congratulations, you can now log in and get started on Twitch. All that’s missing is a profile picture and a description for your channel. The longer you browse through the different categories, the better you will recognize what your own stream needs.
Technical requirements to stream on Twitch
Twitch has its roots in gaming and today the Let’s Play category still accounts for the majority of all channels. The streamer sits in front of his computer and transmits a section of his screen online. This view is often supplemented with other gimmicks.
A webcam, for example, so that viewers can see the streamer personally, is now part of the basic equipment for most . You can find out the answer to the question “How do I stream on Twitch?” and what other equipment should be available below.
YOUR TRANSMISSION DEVICE
First, you need a device that has enough power to broadcast your content all over the world. Ideally, a powerful gaming PC is already available, otherwise, the latest generation of consoles or even a smartphone can be used for streaming. The most important hardware is not the graphics card, but the processor .
The graphics card only has to be sufficient for the respective game, while the CPU processes the stream. This is where a dual PC setup comes in handy, freeing up resources by having part of the unit dedicated entirely to streaming.
FAST INTERNET FOR TWITCH
If the PC works smoothly, the next step is to check the Internet connection. The download rate can be neglected at this point. The upload is more important , i.e. how quickly the desired data reaches the stream on Twitch.
Because nothing ruins the viewer’s perception of a stream like persistent lag. If the stream is to run in 720p, you need about 3Mbit for the upload. If you are even aiming for 1080p (or FullHD), the upload rate should be at least 5 to 6 Mbit.
STREAMING SOFTWARE
If your hardware is ready for use, you have already created a solid basis for your stream. That’s perfectly fine if you consider streaming as a hobby or just want to show some friends. However, if you want your stream to look professional , there are still a few subtleties that need to be considered.
An absolute recommendation is the use of a so-called streaming software that is specially designed for Twitch. This gives you various features that you know from your favorite streamers, such as controlling different overlays or scenes.
Streaming software takes your stream to the next level. Below you will find out the fundamental differences between the two most important alternatives – or simply read our in-depth review of the best streaming software in 2022 .
Most streamers still use the Open Broadcaster Software Studio (or OBS for short) program to support their show. This is mainly due to the fact that the development and publication of OBS is in the hands of the community and the use of the software is therefore completely free .
OBS lives from its extended plugins, so that the basic version looks almost spartan in comparison. This benefits the performance considerably, but also requires some specialist knowledge ahead.
Many functions that other programs run automatically must be set manually with OBS, such as correctly detecting the game currently running.
However, once you have familiarized yourself with the interface of the software, you will soon no longer want to do without the great flexibility.
Source : Den of Geek magazine website
OBS’ big competitor is XSplit Broadcaster, also available for video game streamers as XSplit Gamecaster. With the latest versions, the software was finally able to close the gap to the top dog OBS and is therefore enjoying increasing popularity.
Both programs give you all the tools you need to stream. You can record your screen content live and edit it with various effects or start a complex post-production afterwards .
XSplit in particular already has a lot of features in the basic version, the operation of which is much more intuitive than with OBS. XSplit charges a monthly fee of around 5 euros for this, depending on the plan you choose.
Conclusion: If you would like to familiarize yourself with software to make your stream perfect, the tried and tested OBS Studio is the right choice. If, on the other hand, you are looking for a beginner-friendly variant that may cost something, then XSplit is the right choice for you.
MORE STREAMING ACCESSORIES
If you are thinking of investing a little in your equipment, then by all means find a good microphone . Very few streamers can do without a microphone, as this type of interaction is simply part of streaming.
The situation is similar with a camera that shows the players in action. Don’t rely on the resolution of your laptop’s integrated webcam, but look for a camera that enriches the ambience of your stream.
You can also score particularly well with a green screen . With a clever conversion using your streaming software, your background disappears into the green or flows smoothly into the game world. Last but not least, it should also be mentioned that you should definitely think about using a second monitor , which permanently displays different settings or your Twitch chat.
Go live on Twitch
The last step before your stream is broadcast all over the world is done with just a few clicks on Twitch. First you start your streaming software and check everything again so that your live show runs smoothly.
You then usually start the stream by clicking on a button, which in OBS is simply called “ Start Streaming ”. How do I stream on Twitch – it couldn’t be faster.
In order for this to succeed, you must store various information in the software before the first live connection:
- Select Twitch as platform or service
- Your streaming key , which you can find on Twitch (OBS), or simply enter your account name and password (XSplit).
- Set Game Capture if you want to record yourself while playing
You can now display a preview of the streaming software you have chosen. Then open Twitch, log into your account and click on your profile to select the Creator Dashboard , where you will find the most important functions in the quick selection.
If you see the desired image in the stream preview, the setup was successful. You can get started and gradually get your first Twitch followers .
The main features of Twitch
As can be seen on the stream manager, Twitch itself offers numerous features that make watching easier on the one hand and give the streamer better control on the other. The most striking thing here is certainly the chat . In real time, viewers can communicate with each other or directly with the streamer, exchange content and use special emojis .
There are also plenty of tools such as the dashboard, extensions or mods that support streaming on the platform.
As with YouTube, for example, individual favorites can be subscribed to. Twitch distinguishes between a free follow that informs the viewer, among other things, if the streamer goes live, and a Subscription , which costs a monthly fee and offers special benefits.
LAYOUTS, ALERTS AND MORE
The basic functions offered by programs such as OBS or XSplit are sufficient to start your stream. In order to further customize your stream so that it stands out from the crowd, you should rely on other software solutions that are currently used by almost every major streamer.
One possibility is StreamLabs , which combines many widgets in a clean design. Here you can, for example, set personal alerts that announce new followers, set up a donation goal or display further information directly on your stream. Or you control these adjustments with StreamElements via your browser.
You can choose the right mix from many ready-made layouts or create your own theme with a little effort, complete with all animations.
Attention: Be careful not to get lost in the countless designs. All of these things are meant to support your content, not replace it. The viewer’s experience is paramount at all times when you’re thinking: How do I stream on Twitch?
Personality and Twitch
Because a stream can be technically impressive or visually good, in the long run the content decides on the success.
On the one hand, the selection of the game shown plays a role – the release of large multiplayer titles regularly triggers a hype that is carried over to Twitch. But older games can also be worth streaming, as can artistic activities or outdoor experiences.
What all successful streams have in common is the person of the streamer. Whether it’s a quiet stream with a relaxed atmosphere or action-packed gameplay, every personality has its advantages.
Twitch also often offers intimate insights into the everyday lives of streamers, and even fictional characters like Dr. DisRespect have a close connection with their audience that cannot be compared to classic shows on television.
This is also the attraction of Twitch as a platform: the content and thus the personalities of the streamers appear authentic . It’s like you’re watching a friend.