Over a week ago I begun the long grind that is streaming. It has been an insightful and interesting experience for not only me as a person but it has allowed me to see how games can be enjoyed from a viewers perspective as the streamer. Which up until over a week ago, I had never experienced.
Streaming required a lot of courage on my part as I am really putting myself out there to complete strangers and for long periods I am just talking to myself about the video game I am playing. However, it is incredibly satisfying and encouraging to see a random and complete strangers choose your particular channel as their choice of content creation they wish to watch that day. I have mainly been streaming games I would play on a daily basis as they come naturally to me when playing them, this allows me to actually explain and discuss my vast knowledge on these games while creating an intelligent and hopefully entertaining experience.
There is a lot of technical knowledge that is required to have an interesting and engaging stream, this includes the creation of on screen notifications that allows the viewer to see their own name on screen which helps them feel appreciated and wanted in the community they have chosen to be a part of. There are also a vast variety of ways to capture gameplay and footage each one requiring separate sources to be configured correctly. As a newcomer to this journey I have embarked on, there is also a lot of things I have to learn on the technical and social side of streaming, things such as what is the best bitrate to stream at with my current download and upload speeds and a whole lot of other technical settings I haven’t even begun to look at….
Recently I have implemented a webcam into my streams, which if anyone knows me, is no easy feat for me. I have incredible self-esteem issues and have huge problems with how I look, sound and my various skills in video games. This new addition has really put me out there but it feels great and I wish to continue this and I hope to evolve my stream in other various ways as time progress. I am not idiotic to think that I am going to become “famous” or “successful” but any progress in my eyes is a step into the industry I wish to work in. Am I hopeful that my stream goes somewhere and takes off? Of course I am! I will continue to grind the long grind every day hoping to eventually create the small and close community I have always wanted for myself.
So far this experience has been very good for my confidence, as it brings me joy to know I can keep people entertained playing video games that I enjoy so much, especially since I am incredibly passionate about this industry and cannot wait to see what it holds in the future.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an article about my own experiences in streaming without a shameful plug of my stream:
Thank you to anyone who continues to read my blog, as I appreciate you very, very much.
Harry.
HalWhos Blog 