How to Add Your Game to Streamlabs OBS for Video Content
In reality, Streamlabs OBS is virtually identical to the original OBS, just with a few different add-ons. This is because it was built off of the original Open Broadcaster Software. This means it’s almost the same process to add a game to Streamlabs OBS.
However, there are a few distinct differences that make Streamlabs OBS much easier to manage over its counterpart.
Today, I’ll show you how to add your game to the software whether you’re creating live streams or recording videos to upload to YouTube.
How to Add the Game to Streamlabs OBS
To add a game to Streamlabs OBS, you simply need to add a Game Capture from the Sources window. And in most cases, you can leave the game settings for Steamlabs OBS as their default values.
For this tutorial, I’m going to assume you have Streamlabs OBS already installed.
Make sure you have the scene selected where you want to add your gameplay.
1. Add a New Source
Click the “+” icon of the Sources window. This will load up an easy-to-use source window.
Step 2: Add the Game Capture
Click the option for “Game Capture.” This will highlight the option.
NOTE: Take note, this is also where you can find a variety of widgets to add to your stream. This means you can quickly add things like an alert box, follower goals, viewer counts, and much more depending on your Streamlabs account settings.
Click the “Add Source” button on the bottom right.
Input a new name and click the “Add Source” button. Make it something easy to identify if you have to make changes later. For example, I’m just going to use, “Computer Game.”
Step 3: Adjust the Source Settings
In the next window, you’re able to change a few settings depending on what you want to stream or record. For most newer users, leaving everything as default should be good enough for now.
However, let’s go over the Mode selector real quick.
When you click the Mode drop-down window, you have a few different options:
- Auto
Streamlabs OBS will detect your game automatically, in most cases. - Capture any fullscreen application
This will let you add any fullscreen app you are currently running on your computer. This will add a couple of extra options such as changing the resolution of the app to fit your stream or video. - Capture specific window
In this setting, you can choose which windows to add to your broadcast. This includes things like browser tabs and any program you’re currently running. For instance, you can show the Photoshop screen should you want to create a video tutorial about Photoshop. This also works great if you play games in window mode. - Capture foreground window with hotkey.
With this setting, you can switch to the foreground window of your computer just by hitting a hotkey saved in OBS.
In reality, I use the “Auto” and “Capture specific window” settings for most of my videos. That’s because I do a lot of tutorials showing the web browser.
For now, let’s leave the Mode as its default “Auto” setting for now. This is the easiest way to add a game to Streamlabs OBS.
Step 4: Save the Game Capture Settings
Click the “Done” button to close the game capture settings.
Now, your game is added to Streamlabs OBS as a source.
A Few FAQs About Adding a Game to Streamlabs OBS
It really is that simple to add your game to Streamlabs OBS. But, perhaps you have a question or two about what you can do or how the process works.
Let me see if I can answer a few of the more common ones.
Does this work when using a capture card or USB capture device?
The way Streamlabs OBS works is that it detects when gameplay is active, or you can specifically tell it to record or stream specific windows. As long as you can see the gameplay on your monitor, you can use it in Streamlabs OBS.
Sometimes, this means having software specifically to show console games on your computer system. Most of which do, nowadays.
This means you can either play the game directly from the console or use the “Capture specific window” setting to show game display programs.
Can you record videos with Streamlabs OBS without streaming live?
To record video in Streamlabs OBS, all you have to do is hit the “REC” button on the bottom right of the software. Then, it will save your video in its default folder. For PC users, this is the Video folder default of your user profile.
Streamlabs OBS isn’t merely for streaming on Twitch or YouTube. You can use it to record videos for editing, such as using Adobe Premiere Pro or HitFilm Express.
Can you use your own overlays in Streamlabs OBS?
You can add your own overlays as a new source. For instance, I use a Halloween-themed PNG image I created myself. I add it as an image source and make sure the game is under the image while streaming.
Does it cost money to use Streamlabs OBS?
Streamlabs OBS is free to use, just as its predecessor. However, to get most of the cool widgets or premium overlays, you’ll need to pay for the Streamlabs Prime account.
However, you can add a game to Streamlabs OBS, the basic alert boxes, and many other free widgets without paying a single dime.
What Game Will You Play on Streamlabs OBS?
Adding a game to Streamlabs OBS is fairly simple. In fact, a lot of the widgets you’ll use are also easier to add when compared to the original Open Broadcaster Software.
The hardest part about streaming is finding what your target audience wants to watch you play most.
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