How to Stream Games to Facebook Live

Facebook’s dedicated game streaming hub was launched last summer, as the platform continues to make a flurry of upgrades, targeting the lucrative live audience from some of its major competitors.

Although it’s certainly not quite the finished product yet, having received its fair share of critics doubting the functionality compared to e-sports ‘goliath’ Twitch, or even failing to match the video capabilities of YouTube gaming.

It is however taking a promising step in the right direction, and could be seen by many gamers as unoccupied ground..

There are currently 1.59 billion daily active users on Facebook, with the watch time for ‘Live broadcasts’ quadrupling in a single year.

The platform is no doubt huge, and it has the scope to stick you right in front of that worldwide coverage.

If you’re fed up with some of the stagnated platforms you’re already on, or just happen to be starting out, then we hope you find this info-guide useful on: ‘How to stream games to Facebook Live’!

How to stream games to Facebook?

Step 1 – Make a page

If you don’t have your own Facebook gaming page setup already, you will need to make one first.

How do I create a Facebook game page?

Go to the Gaming page creator.
Enter your page name and category which should be ‘Gaming video creator’.
Press continue.
Upload your profile picture.
Upload your cover photo.

Step 2 – Connect your page with either Streamlabs/ OBS/ Xplit

You will need to know how to use a live streaming app such as ‘Streamlabs’ or Open Broadcaster Software ‘OBS’ to take advantage of this feature. For this example we will choose Streamlabs.

How do I stream to Streamlabs OBS with Facebook?

Download and install Streamlabs.
Go to Settings > Output, to match the software/ hardware encoder used by your PC.
Configure your bitrate, this is determined by your upload speed.
Make sure the key frame interview is at the default ‘2’.
Change your Video Resolution to 720p (1280 x 720) at 30 frames per second.

If you’re still not sure you can look at Facebooks guide that has a detailed video

Step 3 – Create a scene with your chosen streaming platform

A scene will determine what your viewers can see when watching your live stream. This could be self-cropped image from your webcam displayed on top of your gaming background.

How do I create a scene?

In Streamlabs > Create a new scene (+) and name it.
Add your gameplay source to broadcast your footage. To do this click on add new source (+ sign), and then then choose either Game Capture, Window Capture, or Display Capture, depending on your game > Name the source.
Choose your Mode > Capture specific window. Also the correct window (the games .exe window). You can then adjust the window to fit nicely on your canvas.
Add your webcam source by adding a video capture device. You can then resize it, and position it correctly on your display.

If you’re still not sure you can look at Facebooks guide that has a detailed video

Step 4 – How do I live stream games to Facebook?

Create a live streaming page, by going to facebook.com/live/create
Choose where you want your stream to share to (on your gaming page not profile page).
Enter a good description as this is the main thing people will see on your steam (not the title).
Create a clickable title (optional).
Tag a video game (you have to choose at least one).
Copy and paste in the ‘Server URL’ into your streaming software (only needed if you’ve chose ‘custom service’ in Streamlabs ‘stream’ settings).
Copy and paste the ‘Stream Key’ into your streaming software and press ‘start streaming’.
The Facebook ‘create’ page will now populate with your OBS stream and show you a preview of your live stream window.
Go live.

Facebook gaming - Create live stream page

Tips: Before you click on ‘Go live’ It helps to have the ‘Streamer Dashboard’ page opened up on a second monitor. (See below).

What is the Facebook ‘Streamer dashboard’?

To access your own personal ‘Streamer Dashboard’ head to: ‘facebook.com/gaming/streamer’

The ‘Streamer dashboard’ has loads of great features that can help you monitor and control your live stream.

Some of these features include:

Latest Stream – This contains a preview of your stream so you can check that everything is functioning as you like. It also has other bits of useful information letting you know if you’re live, such as the start time, title, and the permalink to share.
Latest Comments – Used for interacting with your viewers.
Chaining – Recommending viewers to your stream or other streams.
Alerts – This lets you know when people have shared your stream, and if they’ve given you ‘Stars’.
Streamer stats – Here you can see things such as the total number of viewers, reactions, comments, stars and shares.
Polls – This lets you run polls by asking questions for your audience to answer.
Leader boards – This lets you see who has given you the most stars. Etc.

Where should I place the Server URL & Stream Key?

Open ‘Streamlabs OBS’
Click on Settings
From the Settings menu click on ‘Stream’
Change service to ‘Facebook Live’ (if you do this you won’t need to paste in the ‘Server URL’).
Paste key in ‘Stream key’

Streamlabs OBS on PC - Setting page, place stream key — Open Streamlabs > Settings > Stream

Things you should know if you’re wanting to stream games on Facebook:

How do you get paid for streaming on Facebook?

Two ways you can monetize your gaming page on Facebook is through the means of ‘Facebook Stars’, and ‘Ad breaks’. ‘Facebook Stars’ allow viewers to support their favourite content creators by sending stars as donations. Whereas ‘Ad breaks’ can be inserted into streams for those that have over 10,000 page followers, and 300 live viewers.

However, before you can receive stars you must apply for the level up program..

What is the Facebook level up program?

You can join the ‘Facebook level up program’ to unlock extra features, and monetize your gaming stream. (It’s only available to gaming video creators in certain regions).

Some of the features include:

Support on Facebook
High quality transcoding (access to 1080p, 60 fps)
Unlock ‘Facebook Stars’ so your fans can donate to you.
Access to Beta products
Invite to the community group

To be able to apply you must have:

Streamed for 4 hours in the last 14 days (over 2 days).
Have at least 100 followers on a page that has been active for at least 30 days.
Meet the community standards set by Facebook.

If you meet this criteria then you’re able to apply by heading over to the streamer dashboard.

How much do Facebook streamers make from stars?

‘Facebook Stars’ are a way viewers can donate to support their favourite creators. Facebook pays the creator $0.01 USD, per Star. You can either buy:

95 Stars – $1.99
250 Stars – $4.99
530 Stars – $9.99
1200 Stars – $19.99
3000 Stars – $49.99
6400 Stars – $99.99

These can only be donated to you once you have been accepted onto the Level up program.

What are ‘Ad breaks’?

‘Ad breaks‘ are short ads that you can include in your videos to earn money. They can be placed naturally in your content, or you can choose when to place them yourself.

Ad breaks can only be included in videos longer than 3 minutes. They last for 15 seconds before the viewer has the option to skip them. If you have chosen automatic ads, the first ad will be at the four minute mark, and then the next one will be every 5 minutes after that.

You must have over 10,000 followers on your page to qualify for ads.

How do I get my Facebook live stream to 1080p?

Facebook game streaming supports 720p (1280 x 720) resolution at 30 frames per second. Streamers eligible for the level up program will have access to high quality transcoding (e.g. 1080p, 60 fps).

What is the Facebook gaming partner program?

The Facebook gaming ‘partner program’ is for those who are committed to streaming on Facebook, have found success, and are ready to move a step beyond ‘level up’. Those who sign on will get access to special deals such as; being paid to use the technology, first to test out new features, and invited to events to help promote their brand.

How do I become a Facebook gaming partner?

In order to join this program you will have to be discovered by Facebook. Facebook are always actively evaluating those that would be a good fit to become a managed partner.

There’s currently a huge opportunity to be selected as a Facebook gaming partner as the amount of creators on Facebook is still relatively small, just as it was on Twitch a few years ago.

In order to get discovered on Facebook, you will have to demonstrate that you can consistently do a great job when you stream games on the platform.

This involves:

Streaming frequently,
Having a large viewer count,
Building a large following,
Getting lots of likes,
Being awarded lots of stars,
Creating a prosperous community on your page.

If you’re committed to gaming on Facebook Live, and manage to find some success on the platform, then your chance of becoming a partner is definitely within reach.

The King Slayer is a great example of a Facebook streamer who built up his audience up from zero and was able to attain partnership in just three months. He currently sits on a respectful 205K followers!

What is a Facebook Gaming ‘Studio’ Partner?

‘Studio Partners‘ are responsible for hosting world class gaming events such as e-sports tournaments and competitions. This role is different to being a ‘managed gaming partner’ as it is for those that have an expertise in event management.

How much do Facebook streamers make?

How much Facebook streamers make will depend upon; the amount of live viewers that watch their ads, plus the total accumulation of Facebook stars donated to them over the course of their stream. Each 15 second ad can earn approximately $0.10 per view, so someone who averages 1000 viewers per hour with a total of 3 ads could make up to $300 or more. Donations can be anything upwards of $100 for a viewer count of this size.

Streaming to other Devices

How do I stream from my PS4 to Facebook live?

To do this you will need a ‘Capture card’. This allows you to capture the live gameplay from your PS4, so that it is displayed in OBS. You are then able to configure OBS to connect with Facebook’s Live API using the stream key.

If you have a capture card:

Connect your PS4 console > Capture card > PC, using HDMI cables.
Open your ‘Game Capture Software’ (eg. Elgato) to make sure your PS4 screen is hooked up and showing on your PC. If it is, then close it.
Open Streamlabs OBS. Go to Add Source > Video Capture Device > Add New Source > in Device, choose your game capture card, click done.
A window of your PS4 screen should now be mirrored, and displaying on OBS in the ‘Live Scene’, which you can make full size.
Go to OBS Settings > Stream > Service, choose Facebook live, and enter your Facebook Stream key.
Click ‘Go live’ on OBS. The display should now be showing on your Facebook Live API.
Click ‘Go live on Facebook’.

Can I stream from my PS4 to Facebook live without a capture card?

Yes, however these options may cause some problems with lag. One way you can do this is by using the ‘PS4 Remote Play‘ app. Click here to find out more.

Another option is by broadcasting your stream live on YouTube and then sharing your screen window to Facebook live. Click here.

How do I stream from my Xbox to Facebook live?

To do this you will need a ‘Capture card’. This allows you to capture the live gameplay from your Xbox One, so that it is displayed in OBS. You are then able to configure OBS to connect with Facebook’s Live API using the stream key.