How to start a gaming podcast

Big gaming networks cover every major release. New shows grow by owning a corner: one game, one genre like roguelikes or JRPGs, indie games, retro, speedrunning, game design, games and parenting, or gaming in your country.

A narrow niche makes your show easier to recommend. "The best podcast about Nintendo indies" is something a fan can describe to a friend.

Most gaming podcasts are recorded with co-hosts in different places. Discord is convenient but records everyone in one mix with variable quality. A browser recorder that captures each person on a separate track gives you much cleaner audio and lets you fix crosstalk.

If you do record on Discord, see how to record audio on Discord. Ask everyone to wear headphones to avoid echo, and to mute when not speaking if their room is noisy.

Game soundtracks and footage are copyrighted. Some publishers allow content creators to use them, others do not, and policies change. For an audio podcast, the safest approach is to describe rather than play, and to use royalty-free intro music.

If you also publish video with gameplay, check the publisher's content creator policy for each game.

Gaming news is driven by releases, showcases and announcements. Plan episodes around the calendar: previews before big launches, first impressions a few days after, and deeper reviews once you have finished a game.

Spoilers matter to gaming audiences. Mark spoiler sections clearly and use chapter markers so listeners can skip them.

• Reviews and first impressions of new releases
• Ranking episodes: best boss fights, worst endings, most underrated sequels
• Retrospectives on a classic game or series, ideal for quiet months
• Interviews with indie developers, who are often happy to talk about their work
• Listener questions and community picks

Mix timely and evergreen episodes. Release-driven episodes bring spikes. Retrospectives and rankings keep finding new listeners long after they are published.

Keep a running list of ideas in a shared document with your co-hosts. When a release slips or news is quiet, you will always have something ready to record.

Gaming listeners love to join in. Set up a Discord server, take listener questions, run community polls, and play games with your listeners on stream. A community makes your show part of their hobby rather than something they just listen to.

For inspiration, see the best video game podcasts.