YouTube is a beautiful place.
You can find loads of content creators, some getting millions of views on clickbait, while some struggling to cross even a hundred views with original content.
What’s the reason for this unfairness?
Do you need a premium subscription for YouTube to boost your videos?
Or do you need to buy views/subscribers to make it big on this platform?
Of course not!
YouTube is free and fair to every content creator, the factors distinguishing a successful YouTuber from an unsuccessful YouTuber are:
- Inadequate equipment – leading to poor quality videos.
- Copied content – YouTube takes content plagiarism very seriously.
- Bad SEO – YouTube won’t be able to redirect the correct audience to your channel without proper SEO.
These are just three of many Youtube areas that, if neglected, can lead to a channel failing. But one of the biggest reasons is inadequate hardware and a lack of graphics and video editing software.
In this guide, I show you everything you need to make amazing gaming videos that your audience will love!
I know not everyone wants to spend thousands of dollars on equipment for a channel just starting up (and it’s not wise to do so anyway), so I’ll make sure to include a budget option. Then you can upgrade the equipment to premium as your channel grows.
So, without any further ado, let’s jump right into it!
What Do You Need To Create Amazing YouTube Gaming Videos?
YouTube content creation is like any other business in the world, you have to spend some to get some.
In context to YouTube, ‘spending some’ refers to spending money on good quality equipment so you can create high-quality videos.
Good equipment that provides optimum performance is a necessity for this field.
Would you like to watch a video with low resolution? Or a video with a lot of background noise because of a bad mic?
I don’t need to answer that because you already know!
Good quality equipment doesn’t mean overnight success. But, it will benefit you in the long run for not only getting views but converting those views into fans and subscribers.
Let’s take a look at the basic equipment you need for creating high-quality gaming videos on YouTube.
Your Gaming Setup!
The PC or Console on which you’re going to be gaming on is the most critical component.
The way you create videos for Youtube or stream will be determined by your hardware.
The PS5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC/Mac are the most popular options.
It is easier to capture and produce video if the game is played on a PC.
Using a computer allows you to record, edit, and share your videos all from one area.
To get started, just download screen capture software and editing tools. (We’ll get to them in a minute.)
Though you can broadcast straight from your Xbox One or PS5 to YouTube, The consoles offer very little control over your videos and streams. A PC or MAC will give you the software and facilities needed to edit and upload fantastic gaming videos.
So regardless of what you play on, even if you’re on a tight budget, you should try to invest in a dependable PC.
If you’re a PC gamer then your system should be strong enough to run games at high-graphic settings while simultaneously recording gameplay.
If you want to play only the demanding games, such as The Witcher 3 or Cyberpunk 2077, you need a powerful processor, high RAM, and a powerful GPU.
On the other hand, if you play less resource-intensive games like Overwatch, Minecraft, or CSGO, you don’t need a high-end PC.
Things are simpler with consoles, as you can easily record and stream with an Xbox Series X or a PS5 by plugging in a capture card.
Check out our guide on how to record on Xbox Series X and PS5.
Apart from being strong enough to record and play games concurrently, ensure you have adequate free HDD/SSD storage space to record the gameplay.
If you run out of available space on your hard disk, the recording will pause and you will need to erase the whole recording in order to re-record it.
When purchasing a new computer, you have the option of building one yourself or purchasing a pre-built system from a retailer.
Pre-built systems are often somewhat more costly than self-built systems since the manufacturer adds an often hefty profit margin to the selling price.
If you want to construct your own gaming PC, I strongly advise you to do so, as you will save money and may tailor the system to your own demands.
Today, a competent gaming system capable of running the majority of games at medium-high settings at 1080p can be acquired for less than $1,000.
However, if you want to play more demanding games, maybe with Ray Tracing enabled, you should budget between $1,500 and $2,000. Just make sure whatever you buy or build has a minimum of 16GB or RAM. you’ll need it for video editing.
If you’re wondering what you’ll need for a gaming setup, this list has everything you’ll need for creating amazing gaming videos on your YouTube gaming channel.
To Record Gameplay Using Screen Capture Software:
You may either use screen capture software such as Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) or a built-in capture device such as the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S+ to record a PC game.
At the start of your gaming channel, OBS is the greatest screen capture program to use because it is free, allows for audio/video recording, and allows for live streaming to YouTube and Twitch.
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is a free and reliable broadcasting software that is designed to record screen, audio, and camera sources in detail. It offers many features for any kind of production without costing the user a penny.
Adding more options to the list of what can be recorded with OBS is their “Scene” function which allows users to add up to 4 scenes with custom settings for each recording, as well as a live streaming feature where one can stream their screen to the OBS dashboard, with interactive features like being able to upload GIFs and short videos.
OBS is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, with an Android version in development.
Check out our guide on how to record gameplay with OBS!
When the capture program is on, it records everything on your main display, including in-game sounds and microphones.
As you progress and require more functionalities, you can purchase a solid capture card like the Elgato HD60 S+.
A High-Quality Webcam:
Over the last several years, capturing and adding your own face in a video has grown in popularity.
While recording oneself is not required if you choose to remain behind the camera.
Seeing your favorite content creator’s reaction is always intriguing and viewers seem to enjoy it.
As with any other component on this list, you have two options to choose from:
- Budget choice for beginners
- Premium choice for professionals
If you’re going to utilize a facecam for your video production, be sure it supports HD recording at a minimum of 30 frames per second.
The Logitech C920 HD PRO webcam is a popular choice among people who are just starting to create their own gaming videos. It records in 1080p at 30 frames per second and has a built-in microphone. It’s compatible with OBS, so you can show your face while you stream or share your gameplay through it.
A DSLR camera is always the greatest choice for the finest results; nevertheless, they are much more costly than a standard webcam.
The Sony a7 III with 24.2 MP is a beast! However, you should only get such pricey gear if you want the highest possible quality.
A Green screen
Using a green screen is not required for video game streaming, although it may be useful if you want to creatively edit your videos.
It is fairly usual for YouTubers to video directly from their bedrooms (especially when starting a channel for the first time).
Instead of displaying your bed and closets, a green screen allows you to modify the backdrop of your video so that you seem someplace else, such as in a game or hanging out in space.
If you’re just starting up, note that a green screen is not necessary so you don’t need to stress your pocket to purchase one.
While as your channel grows, you’ll need to keep things unique for your viewers, so getting a green screen will help you a lot to add that sprinkle of creativity to your videos.
Additionally, if you stream VR games, then a green screen is needed for mixed reality videos. Read more about recording gameplay videos for YouTube on VR here.
I recommend the Elgato Green Screen which is extremely popular with YouTubers.
Lighting:
If you’re going to reveal your face on YouTube, you’re going to need some decent lighting so that your viewers can see you well.
You can pick from a variety of light sources depending on your budget and available area for illumination.
Softboxes, which provide a lot of light, are the traditional alternative for superb lighting.
Regrettably, they need a lot of area due to their size.
If you just have a little amount of area available for illumination, it is advised that you use something comparable to the Elgato Key Light.
I know I said that the second premium choice is for gamers who have gained a larger following and want to invest more in equipment.
But proper lighting is a need for every content creator who wishes to record themselves.
So, I recommend the Elgato Key Light to professional and newbie YouTube content creators as lighting plays a big role in attracting viewers.
The Elgato LED panel can be managed through the accompanying software on a PC/Mac or via the Elgato Stream Deck.
The majority of bigger gaming channels use an eye-catching backdrop, sometimes enhanced with LED light strips.
A High-Quality Microphone for Recording Audio:
Audio is an important aspect of engaging viewers.
If your video has a lot of noise in the background, or the recorded audio is disturbing to hear, odds are you won’t get a lot of watch time.
While an adequate gaming headset like the Razer Kraken with background noise cancellation can do the job.
You can later opt for a solo microphone like the TZ Stellar X2 to record crystal clear audio.
You can add a condenser to the microphone to record an extra clear voice.
While upgrading from an integrated headset microphone to a professional studio mic is a significant improvement, the quality may be further enhanced by including an audio interface into the arrangement.
With a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface, you may convert digital signals to analog signals, analog signals to digital signals, and record numerous audio sources in high quality.
If you want the greatest audio quality possible from your microphone, adding an audio interface is suggested.
If your gaming PC has a new generation sound card, an external audio interface is not necessarily essential and may operate for an extended period of time.
Moving To The Software Side:
Now that you’re acquainted with the necessary hardware you will need, let’s focus on the software side:
Video Editing Software
After you’ve recorded your gaming session, you’ll need to edit the video.
Typically, some portions of a video are uninteresting to viewers, or you’ve recorded something that has to be eliminated.
Editing may help a routine video stand out from the pack, which is critical for success.
Uploading an unedited video will not work as well in today’s video culture unless you’re making a live stream gaming video, even then you’ll need video editing software to add effects midstream.
The majority of bigger game channels on YouTube utilize more professional editing tools for their videos since it provides them with more creative possibilities and flexibility.
For novices, I suggest Filmora9, since it is very user-friendly and provides a wide variety of capabilities and themes for video editing.
Editing software is one of the few components in which you must make a financial investment.
The majority of free video editing software is deficient in some features, making it more difficult to create a video that looks appealing.
Having a sufficient selection of choices and an easy-to-use interface is absolutely worth the investment, even for a small gaming channel.
Adobe Premiere Pro is very popular among professional YouTubers as the complete package to edit videos with a plethora of effects and templates.
If you’re just starting out and don’t want to pay a dime on video editing software, then check out these free YouTube gaming video editors!
Software for Photo Editing:
Prior to posting a video on a YouTube channel, it is necessary to create an engaging and beautiful thumbnail for the video.
Thumbnails are the first thing people see when they search on YouTube, so having a thumbnail that stands out might help your video get more views.
Software such as GIMP (Free) or Photoshop (Trial/Paid) is quite popular and has a plethora of tools and functions.
For novices, Gimp is the ideal option, since it is free and includes the majority of basic features.
If you want to take things a step further, upgrading to more professional software such as Photoshop will provide you with more editing options. While, if you’re in the search for creating your gaming thumbnails online, then take a look at this guide on How To Make A Gaming Thumbnail For YouTube I created just for you!