While it might seem like Twitch and YouTube are the only platforms worth streaming on, there are dozens of others that are grabbing quite a lot of attention among their audience. Just as there are alternative streaming platforms, there are alternative tools for streaming your gameplay.
This is where Steam Broadcasting comes in. This tool is a built-in Steam feature that allows you to stream your gameplay directly without any additional software. All you have to do is turn on Steam Streaming to start showcasing your favorite plays and your coolest games.
For the aspiring streamer, Steam Broadcasting is a great channel launch tool. Here’s how to get started.
Set up broadcasting on Steam
According to the service’s support page, there are only two requirements to stream on Steam. First, you must make at least one purchase and have access to an unlimited account. Second, you cannot be banned by the community. Simple enough, right?
To set up streaming:
- Click Steam> Settings and select Stream from the menu on the left side.
- Click on the first drop-down box labeled Privacy Settings and make sure Broadcast Off is not selected. Instead, select “Anyone can watch my games†to reach the widest possible audience.
- Click OK and then OK again.
To stream gameplay:
- Select the game you want to stream.
- With the game running, press Shift + Tab to open the Steam overlay. This is a quick and easy way to change settings and enable your microphone.
- After you are done with your settings, click OK and Escape to return to the game. Your game should now be streaming.
If not, you will see a notification in the upper right corner with a red circle and the current viewer count.
If you switch from a game to another window, Steam will display placeholder graphics until you return to the game. The reason is that Steam, by default, only broadcasts the game you are currently playing.
If you want to change this, you can do so in the settings menu. Just keep in mind that viewers will be able to see any information in any window you open.
Advantages of Steaming
There are several reasons why you might choose Steam Broadcasting over Twitch or YouTube. Firstly, Steam has a built-in system to help you find viewers. People interested in the gameplay you are currently playing can easily find it. You will also be visible to the game’s community groups.
Steam has a huge audience at any time of the day, which means viewers are easy to find. They are the hardest to hold on to, and that requires a combination of humor, wit and, depending on the game, skill.
However, with Steam Broadcasting, be aware of the lack of settings. Unlike Twitch, Steam Broadcasting does not give users the ability to create their own overlays or customize effects on stream. You also cannot save your gameplay for uploading to YouTube or another platform later.
Troubleshoot your broadcast
If you are having trouble broadcasting your stream the way you want it, there are several different reasons. Steam provides a full list of suggestions, but in our experience, one of the easiest solutions was to restart Steam. Shutting down and restarting the program restored the flow without any problems.
Another quick fix is ??to go back to Steam> Settings> Broadcast and click on Broadcast Status. After clicking, it opens your broadcast window and starts broadcasting in the game.
Whether you want to showcase a new game to your friends or make a name for yourself as the best player in the world, streaming is your best bet.
Steam Broadcasting allows newbies to get started with minimal hardware. In fact, you don’t even need a microphone (although it can definitely help). If you can’t wait to show your skills, give it a try.
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