Starting a video game YouTube channel is a dream that many people share. As a result, YouTube gaming has become a highly saturated niche within the gaming industry.
Breaking through and distinguishing yourself from other YouTubers in the gaming niche is not easy. To make yourself stand out, you need to do everything correctly.
To stand out in the gaming community you will join, you need the right YouTube gaming setup, including gear, video, and audio equipment, along with the necessary know-how.
When using a facecam in your videos, it should be of high quality, but not necessarily a 4K recording. Consider opting for a reliable webcam instead of a $1,000 DSLR for capturing reaction shots. Before purchasing a webcam, think about how often you plan to use your facecam.
Gaming videos don’t always require a facecam. For those who enjoy playing survival horror games for streaming, their reactions are a significant part of the videos. However, if they don’t use a facecam, it won’t greatly enhance the viewer’s experience.
If you intend to use a facecam on your YouTube channel, be prepared to spend at least $100 on a camera. A great option in this price range is the Logitech C920, which is shown in the image to the right. It features an excellent autofocus function and delivers high-quality video recordings, even in low light conditions.
The NexiGo N930AF, priced at approximately $60, is a solid choice if you occasionally need a facecam. The video quality is 1080p at 30 fps. The NexiGo is compatible with all operating systems and popular platforms.
The audio component of any video is undoubtedly the most important aspect. The quality of the audio on your YouTube gaming channel can swiftly drive viewers away.
To maximize your chances of success on YouTube, which can be challenging due to the platform’s competitive nature, you must thoughtfully select your YouTube gaming setup.
That said, you don’t need much more than a decent mic to start. A good microphone can make a significant difference for your YouTube channel. Anyone interested in starting on YouTube should consider purchasing the Blue Yeti Mic.
YouTube gamers, especially those who are just starting out, often choose the Zalman ZM-Mic1 as their microphone. However, the Zalman may capture unwanted background noises, like mouse clicks, during recording.
Compared to recording directly from your computer, the audio quality will be significantly better, and at under $10, it is a purchase you will not regret. It serves as an excellent first microphone if you intend to use the free audio editing software Audacity to refine any imperfections in your recording.
You will record your gameplay using either software or hardware. To capture your computer or television screen, you need to use a camera specifically designed for this purpose.
The type of game capture equipment needed will depend on your gaming requirements.
You may simply need a program to record your computer screen while playing games, and there are several excellent free options available. A popular choice among YouTube gamers is OBS, or “Open Broadcaster Software.”
Obs can be downloaded for free. It is ideal for gamers, as they can use it to stream live to YouTube or other live streaming websites like Twitch.
You can also use Nvidia Shadowplay if you have an Nvidia graphics card. Shadowplay offers game recording options and, in many cases, it is even superior to OBS because it is more user-friendly for beginners and those who want to start recording with just a single click of a button.
If you want to create movies about console games, you may need a capture card. Above is a picture of the Elgato Game Capture HD60, which is a top-notch example of its kind.
Unlike many other leading video capture devices, this one is compatible with both Macs and PCs. It can record in 1080p at 60 fps and even live stream at 60 fps. There are no known issues with the Elgato HD60 on any of the popular consoles available today.
The most crucial factor in creating not only gaming content but also video content in general on the internet is the software you use for video editing.
No matter how high the quality of your gaming video is, how advanced your digital camera may be, how impressive your game recording looks, or how charismatic your personality is, it won’t matter if you don’t edit your video content effectively.
Your YouTube gaming channel is unlikely to attract many viewers if you don’t consider video editing.
If you want your gaming videos to appear and feel as professional as possible, you should use Adobe Premiere Pro. However, the downside of Premiere is its steep learning curve and high cost.
If you want to simplify the process, you can use free editing software like Shotcut. While this editing suite is not as powerful as Premiere, it is beginner-friendly and free of charge.
If you can’t envision yourself video editing, you might consider hiring a video editor. This way, you won’t have to burden yourself with video editing software and can focus solely on creating quality content for your YouTube gaming channel.
If you are primarily a PC gamer, having a good gaming PC and peripherals such as a mouse and keyboard is essential. It has been shown that the higher the quality of your peripherals, the better your performance in any given game.
What is the purpose of trying to be a YouTube gamer if you allow your equipment to restrict your performance? This is particularly important if your YouTube gaming channel focuses on competitive games.
Playing video games for a living is something you must take seriously. As we’ve mentioned before, there are numerous YouTube gaming channels, and you need to have an edge to stand out. Therefore, your YouTube gaming setup is quite important.
A green screen provides you with greater flexibility in creating a unique background, eliminating the need to rearrange your entire room or office.
Green screens are highly effective for branding. Furthermore, green screen interviews provide an excellent opportunity to integrate your channel’s branding into your background.
Incorporating textures, colors, and other branding elements into the video’s background can enhance its visibility. When a channel’s logo or branding changes, you can easily use the green screen to refresh the background. This means you won’t have to eliminate any of the valuable content.
You only need to change the background to align with the new brand.
Having a green screen for live streaming is also beneficial. Since YouTube has its own streaming service, and as a YouTube gamer, you may want to start live streaming at some point. A green screen will enhance your creativity.
If you don’t want your YouTube channel to focus solely on playing video games and would like to showcase yourself more, then good lighting is essential.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on expensive lighting. If you are only looking to experiment with filming yourself while keeping the focus of your YouTube videos on the games you play, then you could simply invest in a basic ring light.
Ring lights are compact and designed to occupy minimal space. You can simply place one on your table, next to your webcam or digital camera, and you’re all set.
You can also explore other YouTube gaming channels to observe how they light their videos and which gaming setups they utilize.
Conclusion
There was a time when launching a YouTube gaming channel guaranteed success. That time has long since passed.
No need to worry; if you understand everything we discussed here, you will be on a fast track to making your YouTube channel recognized in the gaming industry.
