Thinking About Starting a New Gaming Podcast? Here are the Tips You Need to Make it a Success

If you love playing video games and are a fan of video podcasts, then creating your very own show may seem like a no-brainer! However, if you don’t have any experience in setting up or recording a podcast before, the idea may seem daunting. Don’t worry; we’ve got the guide you need below to get you up and running. But first, we take a look at three of the hottest gaming podcasts right now to discover just what it is they’re getting so right.

Giant Bombcast

This podcast, with episodes regularly running into the three-hour territory, puts the emphasis firmly on playing games and is less concerned with the industry side of things than some of its peers. There is also plenty of audience input and participation, with the team consistently keen to connect with their listeners. Giant Bombcast is funny, thoughtful, and full of heart.

What’s Good Games

In an industry that’s been traditionally dominated by men, the What’s Good Games team makes for a refreshing change. Hosted by Andrea Rene (from Kinda Funny Games and GameStop TV), Brittney Brombacher (from BlondeNerd.com), and Kristine Steimer (of PlayStation and IGN), tackle everything from gaming itself to the hosting and PR work relating to the industry.

Game Scoop!

This podcast is a great all-around listen for information and updates on all the new releases and old favorites from Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch, as well as games available on PC and mobile from a team of personable, knowledgeable presenters. The show always ends with the fan-favorite fun segment, Video Game 20 Questions.

How to Start a Gaming Podcast

If you love playing video games and enjoy listening to game-related podcasts, it may have crossed your mind that creating your own gaming podcast could be the dream! If you’re ready to take the plunge, here are some tips to help you get started.

Find Your Niche

There are loads of gaming podcasts out there – to stand out from the crowd, you’re going to need to settle on a niche element of gaming to focus on. This could be, for example, a particular type of game, like retro platform games, or your podcast could focus on a specific gaming franchise, such as the Zelda series.

Get the Equipment

Next, there’s some basic equipment you’ll need to get your podcast off the ground. A high-quality microphone is a must, as are recording and editing tools. This should be enough to get you started; in time, you may wish to also consider purchasing mic stands, mixers, and channel boards.

Consider Bringing a Co-Host on Board

The most successful gaming podcasts tend to feature more than one host – having a co-host or two can make your show more dynamic and give it the relaxed, conversational feel that listeners like. If the co-host you have in mind doesn’t live near enough to swing by regularly, you could always use Skype to record the audio from both parties.

Recording Your Gaming Podcast

Practice is key, so run through your show plenty of times so you can tweak the script, delivery, content, etc. Have the whole show mapped out, including a track listing, if necessary, and all the information you need ready and waiting. Don’t forget the essential extras that’ll make your podcast seem more professional – look into music for podcasts to add some additional ambiance to your show.

Get Editing

While you might be excited to get your newly-recorded podcast up and available as soon as possible, it’s vital to undertake a little editing to polish up the show and get it sounding as professional as possible. Focus on getting rid of any pauses and all those ‘ums’ and ‘ahs’ to keep the podcast sounding fresh.

Find a Hosting Site

Your next mission is to find a hosting site, so people can find and listen to your podcast. There are plenty of free hosting platforms out there – it’s a good idea to choose a platform that distributes episodes to multiple sites to help get your show in front of as many potential listeners as possible.

Make a Recording Schedule

One of the key ways to build a loyal audience is to record and upload shows regularly – you want your listeners to know, for example, that new shows will drop every Tuesday evening. Making a recording schedule is a great way to manage this. Plan ahead as far as possible, so you can map out the new games, subjects, themes, or issues you’re going to discuss for the weeks and months ahead.

Creating a Gaming Podcast is Easier than You Think!

Getting a new gaming podcast up and running is relatively easy: there’s not much in the way of equipment to buy, and there’s a ready-made gaming podcast audience already out there, ready and waiting for the next big show. However, for the best chance of success, ensure you choose the right niche in which to specialize, design shows that’ll consistently capture (and keep) the attention of your listeners, and record and post shows regularly. Who knows, your show could make the list of Best Gaming Podcasts of 2024!