Whether you are an avid gamer or someone who plays online games now and again, having the right tech and accessories can make all of the difference to the gaming experience. The rise of online gaming has also led to more people utilising streaming and therefore gaming setups are changing.
But what exactly is streaming?
The term streaming can mean a number of things within gaming. One example is game streaming, where a game is streamed to the player over the internet.
Streaming is heavily used for all kinds of gaming including casino games. Casino games like slots are often streamed by casino sites to players through the internet. There are now a huge selection of these types of games online with new slot sites entering the market each month streaming a wide range of themed slots. Slot games are now one of the most popular casino games available online.
One benefit of streaming games is that you can play the game from a platform of your choosing, this could be a smartphone, computer, or console such as a PlayStation or Xbox. It also removes the need to store lots of gaming disks at home and to keep switching these as you decide to play different games.
There are now many game streaming services, such as the Nvidia GeForce Now or the PlayStation Now, which works on a subscription model.
One other example of streaming is when gamers stream themselves playing games. This might be to help others to pick up strategies or for enjoyment. There are now hundreds of pro gamers and gaming influencers streaming their gameplay through sites like Twitch,
For those who are keen to begin streaming games or streaming themselves gaming, there are some tech equipment requirements to consider. For the best experience streaming, you are going to want a machine with the right specs and accessories that increase enjoyment and efficiency.
Top technology needed when streaming:
A gaming system
Most gamers have a preference between PC gaming and console gaming and streaming gives you access to a large library of games on each platform. Gaming systems can be expensive but options such as purchasing second hand or refurbed systems or building your own system if you have the know-how, can help.
For a pro gaming PC at the lower end of the price scale, the Acer Predator Orion 3000 is a good first machine for a new gamer. It is small and stylish and its design makes it easy to upgrade later down the road, you can play 1080p or even 1440p but will struggle with 4k gaming.
For a truly powerful PC there is the Origin PC Millennium 2022. The processor is available in up to Intel i9-12900K and RAM up to 64GB.
If you are more of a console gamer, the PlayStation 5 is considered to be one of the best on the market. It has speedy hardware, an attractive design and a new controller with haptic feedback. The storage space is an issue on this model, however this is less of a concern if you are streaming your games.
A gamepad
Your game streaming setup will also require the right controller and what you choose will depend on a lot of factors, including the type of PC or console you are gaming with. The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 is one of the more premium controllers in the xbox series, but if you are not too bothered about it being wireless then the standard Xbox Wireless Controller can also be used on most PCs with a wired connection.
For a flexible third-party controller, 8Bitdo Pro 2 is a popular choice. The controller has reprogrammable buttons and works on most consoles, including the Nintendo Switch.
For streaming fighting style games like Street Fighter V you may want an arcade stick, which is a joystick with buttons and a flat base. One great example is the Hori’s Real Arcade Pro or the 8Bitdo’s Arcade Stick is a responsive, cheaper alternative.
Keyboard
All PC gamers need a keyboard as an essential part of their gaming kit. For a wired keyboard, the Corsair K70 RGB TKL is a high performing unit and includes light-to-press Cherry MX switches.
For a wireless option, Logitech G715 makes an interesting choice. In muted neutral tones, this keyboard does not look like a typical piece of gaming equipment, however it performs wonderfully and is very responsive during gameplay.
Mouse
A mouse is also essential for PC gamers and the Razer DeathAdder V2 is a good all-rounder. This unit has eight programmable buttons and an optical sensor that automatically calibrates to avoid cursor drift.
If you are in need of a totally wire free setup, the Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless mouse is reliable and customisable too. Also, the Razer Basilisk Ultimate has 11 programmable buttons and 100 hours of battery life.
Other accessories…
Lastly, if you are streaming yourself playing games a microphone and webcam are two pieces of equipment that you will need for a professional looking finish. There are hundreds of options online to suit all budgets and tech experience levels.