As a new Twitch or YouTube streamer, it’s key to play games you genuinely enjoy, but it’s equally as important to stand out by playing games that people actually want to watch. This balance will help you grow as a streamer and build a dedicated audience.
In this article, I’ll share some essential tips on how to choose the best games to stream on Twitch for beginners (plus a website that’ll find you the best games to stream all on its own!).
If you don’t feel like reading, scroll to the bottom for a TL;DR (Too long; didn’t read)
Find Niche Games
The first tip is to find “niche games”, which are games with high follower counts but low viewer counts
Niche games are great for new streamers because they allow you to stand out in the directory; new viewers can easily find you, plus other streamers of that game are more likely to raid and interact with you. This can give you a significant boost in viewership and help build your community.
An excellent example of a niche game is “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim”
Despite being an older game, it has a loyal following, with over 2.5 million followers on Twitch. However, at this time it currently has only 456 viewers, which means less competition for new streamers.
If you were streaming Skyrim with only 10 viewers, you’d be ranked #6 in the directory. This higher placement makes you much more visible to potential viewers, compared to being buried in the rankings of a more populated game. By choosing a niche game like Skyrim, you increase your chances of attracting new viewers and growing your community while enjoying a game you love.
Create Your Own Niche in Popular Games
If you prefer to stream more popular games like Fortnite or League of Legends, you can still create your own niche by doing fun or crazy challenges. For example, you can try “playing only Teemo in ranked” in League of Legends or “playing Fortnite but I can only walk backwards”. These unique challenges will make your stream significantly more interesting and help you stand out among the many other streamers playing the same game.
Another great way to stand out is by using a green screen with your face cam. This allows you to have funny, professional, or even interactive elements for your viewers — so you stand out even further!
Check out this guide on how to use a green screen as a new streamer
Remember to include what makes your stream special in the title, so prospective viewers know what to expect and are more likely to click on your stream.
Find a Balance Between Enjoyment and Viewership
For you, the streamer, It’s crucial to find a balance between playing a game that people want to watch and one that you enjoy as a streamer. Viewers can tell when a streamer isn’t enjoying the game they play.
Playing a game you’re passionate about will keep you motivated, and your enthusiasm will be contagious, leading to a much more engaged and loyal audience.
Use Twitch Strike to Identify Your Perfect Game
To help identify where you’ll currently be placed in a game’s Twitch directory based on your average number of viewers, check out Twitch Strike. This tool can help you make informed decisions about which games to stream and at what time to stream them, giving you a better chance of growing your audience as a new streamer.
I’m not affiliated by Twitch Strike in any way, it’s just an extremely useful tool!
TL;DR
Didn’t feel like reading? No problem!
Finding the best games to stream on Twitch as a new streamer involves focusing on niche games, creating your own niche in popular games, and striking a balance between enjoyment and viewership. By following these tips and using resources like Twitch Strike, you’ll be well on your way to growing your channel and building a dedicated community.
Wanna be more likely to get recommended to new viewers in the Twitch “Recommended Streamers” algorithm? Check out this article!