STACK #192 Oct 2020

GAMING FEATURE

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STREAMING: Where to start?

A 60-40 split is a good guide, the 60 per cent being your preferred game. If you put too much emphasis into one game, when the game dies then so too can your stream. Don’t be afraid to just chat on streams and talk to your community, either. This is why a lot of them are there in your stream; they want to connect to you in some way, even if it’s just to chat about how they are feeling or how their day went. It’s a great way to show off your personality and form a special bond with a whole bunch of viewers. Don’t Rush Too many people run out of the streaming gate and don’t learn to walk first. Take your time. There’s no finish line to streaming, just make sure you know what you’re doing and build a community before you start worrying about affiliations or partnerships. Know who you are first and then you have a better chance of selling it to other people later. I hope this little bit of information helps you on your path to content creation and I wish you the very best on your journey. Duke

Hi Duke,

Don’t KeepYour Eggs In One Basket: Now that you have a YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, Discord, et al, try using them as much as you can. It’s almost impossible to be noticed on streaming platforms when you first start, so work on producing content on other platforms to build momentum. Think of it this way: if content creation was the gym, then streaming would be cardio (only good while you’re doing it). And using social media to show off your content and personality is the weights (building strength long after you’re done) – this will help you to be discoverable 24/7. This is something I wish I knew before I started up streaming – YouTube is a massive juggernaut to be used. Start showing some highlights or reaction videos to get started. Keep Content Fresh It’s understandable if you prefer to play one particular game that you’re comfortable with, but it’s good to try and keep it fresh and challenge yourself with new titles too.

What were the regular issues you faced when you

first started to stream, and how can I avoid them? - Sarah H

Are you kickstarting your own play in game streaming or content creation and looking for some advice? Hit a plateau and need a bit of guidance to take your stream to the next level? Unsure of what kit you need to make your stream a success? Each month, STACK ’s very own Agony Uncle, the Duke of Flukes, is on hand to answer any question at all about streaming and content creation. With a wealth of experience and knowledge, a great understanding of tech and the patience of a saint, let the Duke alleviate your frustrations and pave the way to stress-free streaming. Write to DEAR DUKE at editor@stack.com.au

First of all, thanks so much for the question, Sarah! There are a few things to keep in mind before you travel your journey as a streamer... ChoosingYour Username: This is something that will not only define you, but has to be understandable and not offensive to potential viewers and/or businesses. Try to avoid having numbers or underscores in the name, as sometimes it’s hard to explain to people. I believe if you can explain a username in five seconds, you’re on to a winner. Also, when choosing a name, make sure that you can get the name on all social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, etc. Get this right at the beginning and you’re off to a good start.

You can follow Duke of Flukes on Twitch right here: twitch.tv/DukeOfFlukes

1 What was the first game that you played? Pong , probably. With the controllers that were just a round dial you rotated. White pixel graphics, black screen, and the ability for me to play against my Dad, who had brought it home. The rest is history! 2 What was the last game that you finished? The Last of Us Part II , which I consider an Oscar-worthy film in a world of otherwise summer blockbusters. 3 What’s your favourite game of all time? It’s either Final Fantasy VIII or Metal Gear Solid 2 … both PlayStation 2 games which came out while I was working at Sony. 4 What do you think is the most underrated game of all time? Of all time is difficult, but personally it might be Lollipop Chainsaw . On the surface it’s an anime-inspired, short-skirt-cheerleader hack ’n slash. But underneath it’s pretty funny (the script was written by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn), has a balanced upgrade/move system, fun graphics, and a quirky fun vibe. 5 What’s the game that you most wish you’d worked on? The Batman Arkham games. I’m a huge Bat-verse fan and literally everything was perfect about each game – Kevin Conroy as the voice, the feeling of ‘being’ Batman, the costume designs, the city later on and how you traversed it (let’s not talk about the Batmobile though), the plot, the abstract Scarecrow (and later Joker) sections, the way they weaved a familiar yet new lore into the world, the hint at the larger world once Barbara Gordon came in and references to Metropolis, and the DLC starring Robin and Batgirl.

chief creative officer on Project CARS 3 ANDY TUDOR

OCTOBER 2020

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