How to make videos for a gaming channel 

Are you an avid gamer and want to create entertaining YouTube gaming videos? There’s never been a better time to get started if you’re new to YouTube or simply want to upgrade your content. As one of the fastest growing niches on YouTube since 2020, new gaming channels are reaching 100,000 subscribers quickly, and this ultimate guide covers everything you need to create gaming videos that win hearts.

Learn about trending gaming niches to jumpstart your following and video editing hacks like making reaction videos—all for free with Clipchamp's easy online video editor.

What are online gaming videos or gameplay videos?

Gaming videos are screen-recorded or recorded live-stream videos of a user playing an online video game. Viewers can watch a specific game played in real-time or a recorded video upload with the gamer’s webcam in the corner of their screen. This video editing technique is called a video overlay.

10 popular gaming genres with examples

With 64% of the US population over 13 playing video games daily, gaming has turned mainstream. But what makes watching someone play an online game so entertaining? 48% of YouTube gamers say they spend more time watching gaming videos on YouTube than actually playing the games themselves. Gamers have a highly engaged audience as they like to be a part of a community, feel accepted, and share hobbies, all while learning new gaming skills. 

Let’s take a look at 10 of the most popular YouTube gaming genres.

1. Sandbox: Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto, and The Sims.

2. Real-time strategy: Warcraft, Age of Empires, and Command & Conquer. 

3. Shooter: Halo, Gears of War, and DOOM. 

4. Multiplayer online battle arena: Dota 2, League of Legends, and Smite. 

5. Role-playing games: Skyrim, The Witcher 3, and Fallout 4. 

6. Simulation and sports: Forza Motorsport, Madden NFL, and NBA2K. 

7. Puzzlers and party games: Jackbox Party Pack, The Talos Principle, and Portal 2. 

8. Action-adventure: Star Wars Jedi, Sekiro, and Assassin’s Creed. 

9. Survival and horror: The Long Dark, Don’t Starve, and Resident Evil. 

10. Platformer: Cuphead, Crash Bandicoot, and Ori & The Blind Forest. 

Popular gaming YouTube video ideas

• Walkthrough gaming videos

If you aim to teach viewers how to play a specific video game or explain how to win, then walkthrough video tutorials will be your best option. Walkthroughs showcase your skills while taking viewers through every step of the way on how to win.

• Breaking records gaming videos

If your strength is playing online video games super fast, then screen record yourself breaking a record. Your entire YouTube channel can be videos of yourself trying to break a new record or beating your previous score.

• Gaming review videos

Want to tell people if a new game is worth playing or not? Gaming review videos on YouTube are some of the most popular genres, as many people are trying to figure out if a game is worth paying for, playing or if it’s too hard to win. Share your thoughts and opinions while playing a new game with your viewers.

• Live stream gaming videos

Since the success of Ninja streaming Fortnite on Twitch, live streaming has become a trendy gaming genre on YouTube. Showcase your skills and include your viewers in your next gaming session with a live stream. Gamers can even make a lot of money from live streaming their sessions by followers donating to them.

• Humor gaming videos

If you’re not the best online gamer but want to make fun gaming videos, share your epic fails on YouTube instead. Humor videos allow you to win over your audience in the best way possible. It doesn’t matter if you’re a pro gamer or just a beginner as long as everyone is laughing in the end.

• Let’s Play gaming videos

Finally, an all-time favorite is, Let’s Play videos. Let’s Play videos will be your go-to if you’re ready to start entertaining and playing your online game. All you have to do is record yourself playing a game, then post it on YouTube.

How to make gaming videos like a pro

Choose a gaming console

Create professional gaming videos no matter your device. Choose a device that you’re familiar with and use already, like PS5, Xbox One, PC, or Mac. 

Find the perfect lighting

A lack of light can ruin your gaming experience, especially for your viewers. If you’re filming late at night or in a darker room, try to add extra light by using a mini webcam ring light. All you have to do is clip an artificial light onto your webcam, and you’re ready to record.  

Use headphones and microphones

Using clear and high-quality microphones is essential for any gaming video. Feel free to use your built-in computer microphone or headphones with a microphone attached. Make sure your viewers can hear you clearly, and you’re able to hear the gameplay. 

Choose your editing feature

There are two different ways to create gaming videos in Clipchamp. Create gaming videos and re-watchable live streams by using Clipchamp’s online screen and camera recorder. All you have to do is record your game screen and webcam simultaneously in just a few clicks. Or, upload ready-made game play recorded videos and use the picture-in-picture overlay feature to showcase your webcam or voiceover. 

Edit with free video editing software 

Once you have recorded your gaming video, bring your video to life with Clipchamp’s free video editor. It’s user-friendly, fast, and allows you to upload videos straight to YouTube conveniently. If you’re stuck for ideas, check out our ready-to-use gaming templates.

How to edit gaming videos for YouTube

Sign in to Clipchamp or create an account for free to create a gaming video.

Step 1. Upload your gameplay video 

Either upload an existing Twitch video to your media library or record your gaming video directly in the editor. For this tutorial, we will be showcasing the picture-in-picture feature using pre-recorded videos. 

Click on the Add Media button or the + button to upload your gaming videos. Drag and drop a video, or upload using one of Clipchamp’s integrations.

Step 2. Add your gaming video to the timeline

Drag and drop your downloaded gameplay video onto the editor timeline, or click on the green + button on the video preview.

Next, drag and drop your webcam or camera recording onto the timeline above the gameplay video. Make sure the video of yourself is always placed on the top layer.

Feel free to use our webcam recorder to record your gameplay reactions. For more help recording gaming videos with our screen and camera recorder, check out our tutorial.

Step 3. Create a picture-in-picture effect

Click on the top video on the timeline so it’s highlighted green. Click on the picture-in-picture button on the video preview to turn your top layer into an overlay.

Click on the position you would like. Choose from top left or right, or bottom left or right. You can also reposition your video by freely moving the clip around the video preview.

To adjust the size of your video, use the corner handles. Drag the handles in and out to make your video bigger or smaller.

Step 4. Save your video directly to YouTube

Once you’re finished editing, save your video by clicking on the Export button at the top right corner of the editor. Select from 480p, 720p, or 1080p video quality. We recommend selecting 1080p for all YouTube uploads. Save your video to your computer, or share it directly on YouTube with Clipchamp’s integration.

Edit your gaming video with special effects

Amplify your YouTube gaming video with an intro and outro

Add something extra to the beginning and end of your YouTube gaming videos to make them more professional and recognizable. If you have a pre-made personalized intro or outro, simply upload your videos to the editor. If not, check out our ready-to-use intro and outro gaming templates. Always keep your intros and outros 4-5 seconds long.

Use AI voiceovers to take your gaming videos to the next level

If you don’t want to use your webcam or own voice recording in your YouTube gaming video, you don’t have to. Our free text-to-speech generator lets you create voiceovers from various voices, languages, accents, and speeds. You can even create funny gaming highlights and easy-to-follow gaming tutorials with unique voices. 

Add final touches with royalty-free music and sound effects

Build up suspense or fill the silence with royalty-free stock music. Scroll throughout YouTube background tracks, drag and drop it onto the timeline, then turn down the volume. It’s as easy as a few clicks. Don’t forget to make your background music the same length as your video by dragging the green sidebars left and right. You can even add SFX sounds like dings, beeps, explosions, and more.

Gaming videos are one of the most entertaining niches on YouTube, and its popularity isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Whether you’d like to create review videos or just play freestyle, remember that a little video editing can make your videos look pro-level. Now that you have all the tips, why not give it a play? Bring your gaming videos to life with Clipchamp.