Discord’s Go Live feature has completely changed the way gamers share their experiences, so it has become the best choice for streaming gameplay with friends and communities. This all-inclusive guide should be ideal for both desktop and mobile users as it tackles every aspect from basic setup to advanced customization options.
How to Stream Games on Discord Desktop
Streaming games from your desktop is easy and fully-fledged. The following steps will help you to achieve a perfect setup:
- Prepare Your Game and Discord:
- First, load the game you are going to broadcast.
- Then, open the Discord desktop app or website.
- Join a Voice Channel:
- Proceed to the recommended server.
- Connect to the voice channel where you plan to stream or begin a voice call with the person in your DMs.
- Initiate the Stream:
- Click the Share Your Screen icon at the bottom of the screen.
- In the pop-up window:
- Select Window and pick your game.
- Get on the game window by MAC and select Share this Window.
- Click Share to start streaming.
After this update, your game will be visible to everyone in the voice channel or call.
How to Stream Games on Discord Mobile
It’s just as easy to stream from your mobile device as it is from your computer:
- Start the Game and Open Discord:
- Open the game you want to stream.
- Launch the Discord app.
- Join a Voice Channel:
- Head over to the server of your selection.
- Play the voice channel or alternatively make a DM voice call.
- Begin the Stream:
- Tap the Share Your Screen icon at the bottom of the interface.
- Switch to the game to begin playing, and your screen will be streamed.
Note: While streaming on mobile, Discord actually streams the whole screen and not just selected applications.
Enhancing Your Stream with Discord Nitro
By default, Discord streams at 720p and 30fps. Buying Discord Nitro will enable you to stream at higher resolutions, such as 1440p and Source, and in 60fps for smoother streaming.
Streaming Games on Discord Using OBS
For more features and options, you might want to go with the third-party software like OBS Studio. OBS lets you treat your stream with other items, for example, webcam overlays, widgets that poll your audience & chat integration of Discord.
Setup Instructions for OBS:
- Install OBS Studio:
- Get OBS Studio from the official website and install it on your device.
- Add Game Capture:
- Begin by opening OBS and then clicking the + icon located under Sources.
- Select the Game Capture and then choose your game from the dropdown menu.
- Integrate a Webcam:
- Click the + icon under the option of Sources again.
- Pick the Video Capture Device and suppose that you connect the webcam to see your life.
- Include Additional Widgets:
- To customize your stream, insert your own text and alerts, or use the overlays.
- Enable Virtual Camera:
- To start, download and install the OBS VirtualCam plugin.
- Now in OBS, click on Start VirtualCam indicated under the Controls section.
- Connect OBS to Discord:
- Go to Voice & Video by opening Discord settings first.
- In the Camera section, find the OBS-Camera and click on it.
- Stream via Discord:
- You may join a desired voice channel and enable your camera to stream gameplay with customizations.
Optimizing Discord Streaming for Better Performance
Enable Hardware Acceleration:
- Locate User Settings > Voice & Video > Advanced and switch Hardware Acceleration to attack.
- If you are using a browser, then enable hardware acceleration in the settings of your browser.
Adjust Codec Settings:
- Off the OpenH264 Video Codec option in the Voice & Video Settings will lead to an increase in gaming performance.
Optimize Streaming Quality:
- Wired connection will allow for the lowest latency possible.
- Close non-essential applications to free up the CPU power for streaming.
Advanced Tips for Professional Streams
- Show Speaker Names: Use a new widget to show speakers that are in your Discord voice channel.
- Promote Your Community: Stream overlay should contain a hyperlink to your Discord server.
- Use Custom Overlays: Design peculiar overlays for branding your stream.
This guide has equipped you with the necessary information to start streaming games on Discord immediately like a professional. Whether you are going to take advantage of the built-in Go Live feature or use advanced OBS customizations, you will be able to create a high-quality and captivating experience for the audience.