7 Best Games To Stream on Twitch & YouTube

Want to know the best games to stream on Twitch and YouTube? Powder PC has everything you need to know to build your viewership.

Are you ready to start or improve your game streaming career? Your ability to create an eye-catching, memorable stream is essential, but so is knowing how to choose the best games to stream on Twitch and YouTube.

If you don’t pick the right games, you won’t be able to bring in the viewers you need to help yourself stand out. It’s about finding a balance between the same games everyone else is streaming but also staying away from games that are a little too niche to attract people.

We’ve got you, though — here’s a list of our favorite games to stream on Twitch and YouTube to help you find your audience.

First of all: Should You Stream on Twitch or YouTube?

Trying to decide between using Twitch or YouTube to post your streaming content? First of all, why choose? Both streaming platforms offer gamers a unique way to share their gaming advice and experience with the world.

The difference between the two is mostly just preference. Twitch is often marketed as being “the” gaming platform, but it can also be used for far more than that — people stream all kinds of different types of content, including makeup and cooking videos. However, there is also a certain level of credibility that using Twitch as your primary streaming platform brings.

That doesn’t mean that YouTube is any less credible, though. People have been using YouTube to stream for years, and the platform arguably allows you more visibility with viewers who aren’t specifically looking for gaming content.

The possibility of having someone stumble onto your content, fall in love with it, and stick around is large — YouTube is one of the biggest (if not the biggest) streaming platforms in the world.

Both Twitch and YouTube also offer monetization for their streamers — once they hit a certain threshold, that is. If you have enough viewers and have established yourself for long enough, you have the potential to make some serious money if you work hard at creating content and making a brand for yourself.

Check out the requirements for monetization when you sign up, as well as what standards you have to meet and maintain to continue to get paid for your content. It’s not always easy to earn real money with streaming, and it takes a lot of dedication, but it’s well worth it if you can get there. And don’t worry — you can still feature your content on both platforms!

What Are the Best Games To Stream?

When it comes to which games you choose, you’ll need a good eye and a general idea of what the audience is looking for. We’ve chosen this carefully curated list of games based on what’s popular and how easy it is to carve out a specific audience.

1. Minecraft

When we talk about the best games to stream, people often think first of the big exciting first-person shooters and massive multiplayer games (also known as MMOs). However, one of the most popular games for people to stream doesn’t fall neatly into either of those categories — although it does include an element of both.

Minecraft hit the gaming scene in 2011 and has only continued to gain popularity in the years since. Many people have made their name in the Minecraft streaming world — Dream, Technoblade (RIP), and DanTDM, just to name a few.

This game appeals to so many people – gamers themselves and viewers who just enjoy watching other people play – because it’s generally a very wholesome game that everyone can enjoy. Although some of the streams can get a little raunchy, Minecraft itself is rated E10+, meaning anyone over 10 should be able to play it safely.

Minecraft is considered a “sandbox” game, which means that where you go and what you do is up to you (also known as open-world). The game is the perfect hybrid of a survival game (where you fight off baddies like creepers, endermen, and zombies) and a builder (that allows you to recreate entire worlds — the only limit is your own creativity). This flexibility means you can play the game exactly how you want to, which is an ability that few other games allow.

If you choose to stream Minecraft (either on Twitch or YouTube), be aware that you are entering a crowded field. However, if you have something unique to offer — a different way to play or an interesting angle or personality — you can absolutely still make a place for yourself in the Minecraft streaming world.

2. Fortnite

Fortnite continues to be the battle royale game to end all battle royale games. It’s not only incredibly popular, but it’s also one of the best esports games to play, according to some sources.

Fortnite has only been out for a few years, but it is a pop culture juggernaut. Not only is the game fun to play, it has also become a way for musical artists to showcase their work in the virtual arena. Huge artists like Travis Scott, Marshmello, and Ariana Grande have performed in front of millions of fans on the Fortnite stage.

If you’re new to the world of Fortnite, the game can be played in multiple ways. You can play alone, with a partner, or with a squad of three to four players. There are also three different game modes to explore — the free-to-play Fortnite Battle Royale, the co-op hybrid tower defense shooter/survival Fortnight: Save the World, and Fortnite Creative, where you can design worlds and battle arenas.

Other battle royale games that continue to be popular among streaming content creators are PUBG and Call of Duty Warzone.

3. Valorant

If you prefer tactical shooters, Valorant is an excellent way to go. Valorant is one of the best games to stream on Twitch and YouTube because it’s extremely popular while also never getting boring. Every round is new and exciting, especially if you’re a player who knows what you’re doing and has a creative flair.

Valorant is a team-based shooter, pitting two teams of five against each other in a set arena. One team is given the attacker role and the other the defender, and the roles switch after 12 rounds. The goal of the attacking team is to plant a bomb (known as a spike) in the defending team's base so that it detonates. The goal of the defending team is to do what it takes to stop that from happening.

If you want to try a similar, equally streamable game, YouTube and Twitch streamers also like Overwatch, League of Legends (LoL), and Apex Legends. Each of those games also racks up thousands of viewers on the most popular channels.

4. Rocket League

More of a sports fan? Combine the fun of a traditional arcade-style soccer game with a little vehicular mayhem with Rocket League. When you play Rocket League, you hit the field not on two legs but on four wheels in a car you can customize exactly to your liking. It’s super fast, super exciting, and one of the most popular games to both stream and play professionally in esports tournaments.

Rocket League can be played on console (PlayStation and Xbox), handheld devices (Switch), and PC, although the basic gameplay is the same regardless of where you play.

5. Brawlhalla

Sometimes you just want to play a good old-fashioned fighting game, and nothing fits the bill quite like the appropriately named Brawhalla. Aesthetically, the game looks a lot different than the other games on our list — it’s in 2D, for one — but we think that’s part of the fun.

You can play solo or with up to eight other people (either locally or online) on a myriad of different platforms. These include PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X, S, and One, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.

If you’re a new streamer, Brawlhalla is a good game to start with, too. Featuring simple controls that are a throwback to the way video games used to be made, it won’t take long for you to pick it up and feel comfortable playing.

6. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)

Counter-Stroke: Global Offensive, more commonly known as CS:GO, isn’t the shiniest or newest game. However, don’t overlook it if you’re looking for the best games to stream on Twitch and YouTube, as the game still has a pretty impressive fan and player base.

While the game came out about 20 years ago, it is still one that attracts viewership because of its gameplay and nostalgia. For some people, CS:GO was one of the first games they ever played — don’t underestimate the power of positive childhood memories (it’s why the Mario Brothers franchise remains so popular after all this time).

That doesn’t mean the game hasn’t changed or evolved, though. While the devs kept the same basic team-based action gameplay that made the game so popular when it first came out, it also continues to move forward by offering new maps, weapons, characters, and game modes. They’re committed to keeping the game fresh, which keeps people flocking to streaming platforms to watch people continue to enjoy it.

7. Any Trending Games

Another excellent piece of advice for those looking to improve their live-streaming viewership is to keep a close eye on what the top games are. There’s always something new and exciting coming out, and including hot, trending content is a way to make sure that you stay relevant and always offer your fanbase something new to look forward to.

It doesn’t matter if the new game on the scene is an RPG, an MMORPG, a MOBA, or a shooter game — just keeping it fresh gives your streaming content a leg up on your competition. If you’re not sure what’s hot right now, check Twitch. You can browse through their directory and sort by viewership, which allows you to see what Twitch game streams are getting the most views.

Recently, Blizzard’s Diablo, Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda, Behaviour Interactive’s Dead by Daylight, Rockstar Game’s Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V), and Activision’s Call of Duty have all been popular titles with a high viewer count.

How Powder Can Help

Whether you’re just embarking into the exciting world of streaming or looking for ways to up your streaming game, Powder PC can help. One of the best things about streaming, whether you’re doing it just for fun or trying to make a career out of it, is that you get to do something you really enjoy. Why not take that one step further and find ways to focus more on your game and less on the technical side of your streaming content?

Powder’s AI clipping software is an excellent way to do that. If you’re a PC gamer/content creator, all you have to do is download the app, import your stream video, and sit back to let Powder automatically extract highlights from your streaming videos.

The software automatically clips your gaming streaming highlights — boss battles, exciting kills, and thrilling moves — and can even compile them into a succinct greatest-hits package. This highlight reel can easily be uploaded to any site you’re using to stream your content, like Twitch or YouTube. Or for vertical platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels.

You no longer have to stop what you’re doing to record or hit a hotkey — Powder does that all for you and will extract your stream highlights automatically. Powder allows you to instantly turn your hours-long streaming sessions into share-able clips and highlight reels with just the click of a button.

That doesn’t mean you can’t edit your clips, though. Powder will let you design your own vertical templates to export to your favorite social platforms. Once you have your greatest hits package, you can use any editing software you like to create exactly the content you want or just upload it as is.

One of the best parts of streaming is the ability to customize it; the streaming community is incredibly diverse, and there is room for everyone in it (especially if you have a fresh voice). Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there — you may just find your community!

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for the best games to stream on Twitch and YouTube, we hope you found something to be excited about on our list. Creating a name for yourself in the streaming world is about more than just being good at a specific game – you have to choose the right game to pull in viewers, know how to create exciting, quality content, and have a personality that keeps people coming back for more.

Powder PC can help you focus less on capturing your greatest hits and give you the time and space to enjoy your in-game experience. After all, streaming shouldn’t feel like a chore — it should be fun!

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