Anyone can record a gaming video on their PC with the right tools and know-how. If you’re genuinely interested in gaming, putting this sort of material out doesn’t take much. You only need a computer and your favorite games to produce a simple gaming video. To do so, you’ll need basic recording and editing software and a few other tools to help you get started. Therefore, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you can begin to make gaming videos on PC with our guide.
1. Pick a game to record
If you don’t know much about how to make gaming videos on PC, the first step is to choose the game you want to record. This may seem an obvious task, but it’s important to consider. For example, if you’re trying to appeal to a wide audience, you might want to focus on recording popular games played by many people. On the other hand, if you’re more niche-focused, you can target specific games that speak to your interests.
Which types of games are good for making videos?
There are no wrong answers regarding the types of games you can use for your gaming videos. However, some genres tend to work better. For example, first-person shooters (FPS) PC games, sandbox games, multiplayer computer titles, and action PC games tend to be more popular among gamers. Thus, you may think about using those. With that said, you can use any type of game, so don’t feel limited to the genres we mentioned—go ahead and explore.
2. Choose a video capture device
This will be the hardware that you use to record your gameplay footage. There are a few different options available, so it’s important to choose the one that’s right for you. One option is to use a video game console’s built-in capture feature. PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S or X, and Nintendo Switch all have this capability, and can be connected to a PC.
If you’re playing on a PC, you can use dedicated capture cards or software like OBS Studio or XSplit Gamecaster. No matter which capture method you choose, you must ensure that your recordings are high quality. That means recording in 1080p or higher if possible. You’ll also want to ensure that your recordings are smooth and have little to no lag.
3. Choose a microphone and audio accessories
Regardless of the type of gaming video you want to make, you’ll need to have good audio. That means investing in a quality microphone. If you’re starting, you can get by with a simple headset microphone. But if you’re serious about making videos, you’ll want to get a separate microphone designed for recording. You also require audio accessories like a pop filter and shock mount. These help reduce background noise and keep your microphone from moving around too much.
4. Ensure your computer can support video editing
These are some general pointers for a PC that can make (record and edit) gaming videos:
- RAM — You’ll need at least 4 GB of RAM to edit a basic video. If you’re running other programs while editing, 8 GB or 16 GB is optimal nowadays.
- Video Card (GPU) — A decent video card will help with both playing games and editing them. For example, the GTX 1050 Ti is a good budget GPU for gaming and video editing.
- Storage — You’ll need enough storage to house your edited videos. A solid-state drive (SSD) is ideal, as it will load files faster than a traditional hard drive. Capacity is up to you.
- CPU — A fast processor will make rendering and encoding easier on your system. A quad-core Intel i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 CPU should be able to handle most tasks without issue.
5. Choose your editing software
Once you have your gameplay footage, you’ll need to edit it into a final video. For this, you require some video editing software. If you’re on a budget, great free options are available, like Windows Movie Maker or Shotcut. If you’re willing to spend a bit of money, you can also get more powerful software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Sony Vegas Pro. No matter which software you choose, learning how to use it well is essential. That way, you can edit your videos to the perfect length and add any special effects or graphics you want.
6. Get a great Internet connection
You’ll need a fast and reliable Internet connection. That’s because most gaming footage will be significant in file size if you want to stream it. You don’t want your video quality to suffer because of a slow connection, after all. Additionally, if you’re recording offline, you will have to upload those videos to the Internet. Therefore, before you start recording any gameplay, ensure your Internet connection can handle the demand.
7. Figure out how long gaming videos can be
The length of gaming videos you’ll make on PC is entirely up to you. Some gamers like to keep their videos short and sweet, while others prefer longer, more in-depth content. There is no right or wrong answer here, so it depends on what you think will work best for your audience. If you’re starting, it might be a good idea to keep your videos on the shorter side until you get a feel for things. You can always add more content later on.
8. Do I need special equipment to make gaming videos?
No, you don’t need specialized hardware to make gaming videos. A regular computer and webcam will suffice. However, if you want to up your production value, there are a few things you can invest in that will help. For example, an external microphone will allow you to capture high-quality audio. If you plan to live-stream, you’ll need a capture card to connect your console to your computer.
9. Which console should I use for making gaming videos?
If you’re just starting, it’s probably best to use a less popular console like the Wii U or Xbox One. This way, you won’t need to invest in a lot of expensive gear right away. Once you get more experienced, you can upgrade to a higher-end system like the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X or S. Make sure you can connect the console to your PC and extract footage before you start.