You must play the right games to get people’s attention on YouTube or Twitch. However, your choice shouldn’t just be about which one gets more views on other streams. In this blog, we’ll show you which games to play on live stream for maximum engagement.
Twitch’s Biggest Games To Play on Live Stream
The most popular Twitch games are constantly changing. What reigns supreme today could garner barely any views after a few months. However, some titles have been popular on the platform for years.
With this in mind, here are the 10 most popular games that streamers play on Twitch:
- Grand Theft Auto V
- World of Warcraft
- League of Legends
- Valorant
- Counter-Strike
- Minecraft
- Fortnite
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
- Dota 2
- Call of Duty: Warzone
Notably, only S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is from after 2020. Grand Theft Auto V, an 11-year-old game, still gets more attention on a standard stream.
According to TwitchTracker, over 20% of Twitch’s audience comes from the top five games. The biggest “game” on Twitch, however, is Just Chatting. This isn’t a game; it’s a mode where users simply talk to viewers. You could even host a podcast on stream with some of your friends.
Similarly, an art stream is one where streamers simply make art while talking to their audience. However, these are much less popular than Just Chatting streams.
Should You Play the Most-Streamed Games on Twitch?
The list above shouldn’t be the only factor in which games you play. Those games have a lot of competition among streamers. You may struggle to stand out, even with great streams full of effort. You need fresh streams full of new ideas that don’t repeat what other streamers do.
Focusing on popular titles alone could see you competing with fan-favorite streamers. It helps to find smaller games that still gain a respectable audience. Ideally, these viewers will stick around for you when you move to other titles.
Games To Play On Live Stream With Viewers
Some games let you play with people watching your stream. Finding fun games to play on a live stream with viewers could help you build a rapport with them.
Jackbox, for example, is a party game that anybody can join with the correct code. Even a quiet stream can be incredibly fun for you and every viewer.
This series is especially famous for its You Don’t Know Jack trivia game. Quiplash is yet another standout game that sees users racing to write witty answers to comedic prompts.
Beyond Jackbox, multiplayer games make a stream more collaborative. Your viewers could join your next Call of Duty lobby, for example. Use your experience with stream scheduling to figure out when your audience is most active.
How To Live Stream on YouTube While Playing Games
Going live on YouTube is a pretty straightforward process. OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is the most common tool for streaming on any platform. Here’s how to set up a YouTube stream with OBS:
- Open OBS, press Profile in the top left, then click New.
- Name your profile and select Optimize for Streaming.
- Adjust the settings and pick YouTube as your service.
- Click on Connect Account to link your YouTube profile.
- Let OBS automatically set up your bandwidth settings.
- Click Scene Collection at the top and press New.
- Press the + button at the bottom, then Game Capture.
Once you confirm this, start up the game. You can also use the + to add your webcam alongside your game and mic audio. If you’re ready to go, click Start Streaming in OBS. This starts a new YouTube stream; you can edit the title and description before making it public.
How To Get Paid by Playing Games on Live Stream
Twitch and YouTube both let you monetize your streams. These payments usually come from ad revenue, though this is only for Partners. On either platform, this refers to users who are popular enough to earn money from their content.
Alternatively, you could take sponsorships, where you promote a company’s products during the stream. Your broadcast could become a live shopping stream. This may be easier to arrange on YouTube. However, brands are slowly embracing Twitch as a way of reaching new markets.
Your stream view count determines how much ad revenue you receive from YouTube or Twitch. Scheduling streams when people are more likely to be online helps a lot here.
How To Live Stream on Twitch While Playing Games
Becoming a Twitch streamer is very similar to streaming on YouTube. Instead of choosing YT as your platform, however, choose Twitch. You’ll still have to connect your Twitch account to OBS.
Set the bitrate to 6,000 kbps or lower; this is the platform’s maximum. Your OBS settings will remain in place for future streams.
Once you press Start Streaming, you’ll begin a new Twitch stream. Here’s how to change your stream’s details as soon as it’s active:
- When Twitch opens, click your profile picture in the top right.
- Tap Creator Dashboard and access the Stream Manager.
- Click Edit Stream Info and add the stream’s information.
Give your stream an engaging title and description. It also needs accurate Twitch tags to attract the right audience.
Get More Stream Fans Today
Finding the right games to play on live-stream broadcasts can earn you more viewers. However, it also helps to buy extra social media followers. Try GoRead.io today to boost your presence on Instagram, TikTok, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which game is best for live streaming?
If you cultivate a positive stream atmosphere, you can have a great stream with any game. Aim for games you enjoy, but that don’t have tons of competition.
What game do most streamers play?
Fortnite is the most popular game on a per-stream basis. Over 7,000 people (on average) play it at any given time.
What non-game modes does Twitch have?
Twitch lets you host other stream types if you’re not playing a game. A Just Chatting broadcast can take any form, including a storytime, podcast, or even a fitness stream.