Video Game Streaming

Video game streaming on sites like Twitch and YouTube Gaming can be be a lot of fun, and if you can commit to a regular schedule it can also be fairly profitable.

Twitch has around 550,000 concurrent viewers at any one time and as of September had about 1.7 million unique broadcasters per month. YouTube launched its own service -- dubbed YouTube Gaming -- on Aug. 26 and also lets you stream from an Android device.

Both services are free to use and once you meet certain criteria you can become “Partnered,” which often lets people subscribe to your channel for a fee, a percentage of which goes straight to you. The main thing to remember if you want to make a career out of streaming is that consistency is key to gaining a dedicated viewer base -- even if you can only spare two hours twice a week make sure you stick to it.

Not all PCs or laptops can handle streaming, a fast processor will help keep your broadcast smooth and at optimal settings. Once you’re over those hurdles there are a few more products essential to creating a presentable stream. Check out some of our recommendations below.