The Ins and Outs of Video Game Live Streaming
So you want to be a video game caster?
If you play games then there is a chance you have seen a live stream of someone playing a game. One question a person might asks themselves is how does one get started in casting their gameplay for others to see and enjoy. I will try as best as I can as a fellow gamer and live streamer to answer that question and hope it will help you start on your way.
What is Video Game Live Streaming?
So what is video game live streaming? In the most simple terms its when you are able to broadcast what you are playing using program and a site that allows others to watch what is shown. There more to it then that but that the basic of what its all about. You can stream from the PC or a gaming console like the Xbox360, etc or both if you choice to; you can stream just one game like Starcraft 2 or stream any game that fits your gaming mood for that day.
This article is a starting point about the ins and outs of live streaming video games with more to come later and I might get a few things wrong here and there, please feel free to makes comments so I can correct any mistakes.
List of live stream sites
To get started here a list of sites from my own search that I have seen people use to stream games (I myself have an account with all of these)
http://www.ngame.tv/ (site is being reworked down atm)
Xfire also has live streaming due to them being partner with livestream.com. Will write more in-depth about each one of these sites to help you pick the one fits you best.
List of Programs
Like the list of sites, this list shows programs that are use to help in broadcasting your game play live. If there any that not on this list that you know of please share it and I will add it to the list (with credit of course)
Flash Media Live Encoder with a screen capture program was the first way to stream games
Procaster from livestream.com allows you to not only do screen cast and webcam live streaming but allows for stream games.
XSplit is the latest program to arrive in helping stream game.
Later a more in-depth view of these plus how to use them in future pages.
What's Next?
In the next part to the ins and outs of video game live streaming will we see what is the difference between PC and Console streaming, what equipment is need for both and what you can get if you are on a tight budget. I hope you enjoy this so far and thanks for reading. Comments are very welcomed.