It’s the dream job of many – play games all day and get paid handsomely while doing so. A few years ago, if someone had told you this was a possibility you would have thought they were joking. But it’s not just a fantasy, it’s actually possible. In recent years, there has been a massive surge in people playing games and sharing their videos online. Some of them have been hugely successful as well, and have made large sums of money in the process. If you want to become a video game streamer, it’s wise to look at some of the best in the business and discover how they made it to the top. There are many things that can be learned from these expert gamers.
Successful Video Game Streamers – Who’s the Best in the Business?
One of the reasons why so many people want to become video game streamers nowadays is because they have seen how others have managed to make a success of it. This career path has been helped by the rise of platforms such as Twitch, which is specifically designed for gamers to stream their content.
Some of the best video game streamers in the business are bringing in some serious coin while also getting to do something they love. One of the richest gamers in the world right now is former professional League of Legends player Imaqtpie, otherwise known as Michael Santana. The expert gamer now streams his own content after quitting his LoL team in 2014 and has made over $3 million to date. Sodapoppin is another affluent player, who has raked in around $1 million. The guy is a World of Warcraft legend and was once the top-ranked player in the world. In fact, at one point around half of Twitch’s WoW viewers were watching Sodapoppin’s videos.
At the present time, the streamer with the most viewers on Twitch is Ninja. The Fortnite player now has over 10 million followers and has even been joined by rapper Drake on his videos, helping to boost his popularity further.
How Can You Start Your Video Game Streaming Career?
There has been plenty of research into what makes a successful streamer, and those who are looking to make it a viable career themselves should take note. A recent study from Goldsmiths, the University of London, and researchers from the London School of Economics found that the ability to network and be sociable was the most important thing for streamers who post videos on platforms such as Twitch. This goes directly against the previously popular stereotype of gamers generally being introverted characters. By networking, players can reach a much higher number of people because there are more chances for their videos to be shared.
Other articles that give advice on how to become a video game streamer agree with the study above in that networking is key. It is important to communicate and collaborate with other streamers, rather than just see them as the competition. One of the aims of Twitch is to build a community of gamers, and some broadcasters also come together to share their tips on how to be successful on the platform. So instead of viewing other players as your competition, watch and comment on their videos and try to befriend them instead.
If you’re serious about becoming a professional video game streamer, you need to invest in some top-notch gear in order to produce the best content possible. A powerful webcam is crucial because viewers want to see who the person behind the voice is. If they can’t see you clearly, they will find it harder to relate to you and may switch to watching players who are more visible. Along with the webcam, your headset and microphone are highly important as well. As you play, the audience needs to hear your thoughts and commentary – this is one of the main reasons why people keep coming back to video game streamers.
One final point to consider is that you will need to be able to dedicate a lot of time to your stream. The most successful streamers work their socks off to keep producing fresh content for their viewers. Some players even work a nine-to-five job and then come home and stream until the early hours of the morning. Of course, if you achieve notoriety and get a lot of subscribers, you can kiss that dead-end job goodbye and just become a full-time gamer. In other words – live the dream.
Literally, anyone can become a successful video game streamer. All you need is to be dedicated, have the right equipment, and have the social networking skills to get your name out there. Remember, if your videos are enjoyable to watch, people are going to keep coming back for more.
