While it may seem like Twitch and YouTube are the only platforms worth streaming, there are dozens of other platforms that have garnered quite a bit of attention from their audiences. Just like there are alternative platforms for live streaming, there are alternative tools for streaming your game.
That’s where Steam Broadcasting comes in. This tool is a feature built into Steam that allows you to stream your game directly without any additional software. All you need to do is turn on Steam broadcasting to start showing your favorite plays and most exciting games.
For beginner streamers, Steam Broadcasting is a great tool to get your channel started. Here’s how you can get started.
Set up a broadcast on Steam
There are only two requirements to broadcast on Steam, according to the service’s support page. First, you have to make at least one purchase and get access to an unlimited account. Second, you can’t get Community Banned. Simple enough, right?
To set up your broadcast:
- Click Steam > Setting and choose Broadcasting from the menu on the left side.
- Click on the first drop-down box labeled Privacy setting and sure Broadcast feature disabled unselected. Instead, choose Anyone can watch my game to ensure the widest possible audience.
- Click ALRIGHTand then click OK again.
To play the game:
- Select the game you want to show.
- Once you have started the game, click Shift + Tab to show the Steam overlay. Here’s a quick and easy way to adjust your settings and turn on your microphone.
- Once you’ve sorted your settings, click ALRIGHT and hit escape to return to the game. Your game should now be broadcast.
If not, you’ll see a notification in the top right corner with a red circle and the current number of viewers.
If you switch from your game to another window, Steam will display the placeholder graphic until you return to the game. The reason for this is that by default, Steam only streams the game you’re playing.
If you want to change this, you can do so from the settings menu. Just keep in mind this means that viewers will be able to see any information on any windows you have open.
Advantages of steam broadcasting
There are many reasons why you might choose Steam Broadcasting over Twitch or YouTube. The first is that Steam has a built-in system to help you find viewers. People who are interested in how the game you are currently playing can find it easily. You will also be exposed to the game’s community groups.
Steam has a large audience at any given time of day, which means it’s easy to find viewers. The hard part is keeping them, and that requires a combination of humor, wit, and depending on the game, skill.
One thing to note about Steam Broadcasting, however, is the lack of customization capabilities. Unlike Twitch, Steam Broadcasting does not give users the ability to create custom overlays or have custom effects on the stream. You also can’t save your game to upload to YouTube or another platform later.
Troubleshoot your broadcasts
If you’re having trouble streaming the way you want, there are a number of different reasons. Steam gives a Full list of suggestions, but in our experience one of the simplest solutions is to restart Steam. Shutting down the software and restarting it restored the stream without any problems.
Another quick fix is to roll back Steam > Settings > Streaming and click Broadcast status. Once clicked, it opens a window of your stream and begins in-game streaming.
Whether you want to recommend a new game to your friends or you want to make a name for yourself as the best player in the world, streaming is the best way to go.
Steam Broadcasting makes it easy for beginners to get started with minimal equipment. In fact, you don’t even need a microphone (although it can certainly help). If your fingers are itchy to show off your skills, give it a try.
