How To Start A Twitch Livestream From Your Xbox

The Xbox Series X and Series S both pack considerable hardware performance, so it's no surprise that Microsoft offers the ability to go live directly from the consoles (the older Xbox One supports it, too). The amount of control you have over the experience may not be as robust as what you'd get if you were using a PC and a program like OBS Studio, but it's still a very capable option for those times you want to share your gameplay without too much work getting it all up and running.

The company re-added support for directly livestreaming gameplay on Twitch in February 2022, announcing at the time that the return included what Microsoft called a "re-engineered" experience. The new version of the direct streaming feature is designed to simplify things while offering access and control over the broadcasting process via the Xbox Guide. Among other things, the feature includes support for adding a webcam to the setup and switching between games without ending the stream.

You'll need a Twitch account in order to livestream. If you don't have one, head to Twitch.tv and register. If you have one, you'll need to link it to your Xbox. The entire process is simple, but before you can link the account, you'll need to enable two-factor authentication on Twitch by clicking this link and turning on the 2FA option.

Now you'll be able to link it with your Xbox using the simplified method Microsoft announced in early 2022. You'll have two options: you can either enter a URL you'll be given in a web browser or scan a QR code that appears on-screen using your phone or tablet, according to Microsoft.

1. Press the Xbox button on the controller.
2. Select the Capture and Share menu.
3. Scan the QR code or enter the URL shown on the Xbox to link your Twitch account.

The process of linking Twitch to your Xbox is all about the Twitch Stream Key, which lets the platform know that you're the person authorized to stream on your account. Because the stream key is long and alphanumeric, it would be a hassle to enter it manually, which is why this simplified process is so convenient. You won't have to relink the account the next time you want to go live from your Xbox unless you generate a new Twitch stream key, in which case you'll have to repeat the above process.

Now that your Twitch account is linked to your Xbox, you can fire up a livestream. There are several settings you can adjust to meet your needs, including sharing your webcam feed and headset audio, setting the video quality, and more. In the same Capture and Share menu, you'll see a bunch of options, including the button that makes the stream go live. Here's how to get started:

1. If desired, plug your webcam and microphone into the Xbox.
2. Under "Live streaming options," adjust the game and microphone audio sliders to the desired level.
3. Select "Adjust overlay" to choose where it appears in the livestream.
4. Choose "Change resolution & bitrate" to select the stream resolution.
5. Name the stream if you'd like to customize it.
6. Select "Camera options" to enable your webcam if desired.
7. Toggle the switch next to "Microphone" to enable your voice in the stream.
8. Select "More options" to adjust any other settings.
9. Click the Go Live button to start the Twitch livestream.

Microsoft explains on its support website that you can switch to a different game while streaming live on Twitch without ending the stream first. Viewers will be presented with a pause screen that appears while you're switching over to the new game. The company also notes that the Xbox takes care of informing Twitch which game you're playing at any given time, so you don't have to mess around with manually updating the title.

In its own support document on the topic, Twitch notes that you may need to change a privacy setting on your Xbox console for the livestreaming feature to work. To do this, press the Xbox button on the controller, then select the Privacy menu. Within that menu, head into the "Online status & history" section and toggle the "Others can see if you're online" setting over to Everybody. You'll then need to pop over into the Game Content menu and find the "You can broadcast gameplay" setting — toggle that one over to Allow.

The good news is that once you've adjusted these console features, you won't have to do so again. If your attempts to livestream from the Xbox fail for whatever reason, you should return to these menus and make sure the privacy and broadcast features haven't been changed by someone else who has access to the console. If you want more control over the style of the video your viewers see, Twitch recommends that you toss the web-based Lightstream or Streamlabs Studio platforms into the mix; both can be used by gamers who livestream from an Xbox.

The 15 Best Game Controllers Of All Time - Ranked!

If you're a gamer, there's a good chance that you have a favorite game controller. Even PC die-hards like me can't deny that some games are simply better with a controller, which means that many of us have our favorites too. There have been plenty of game controllers throughout the years; some of them certainly better than others. Here's SlashGear's ranking of the best of the best.

Before we dive into the list, let's be clear that we're not ranking every game controller here — we're simply ranking the best. We've seen a ton of game controllers throughout the years, and trying to include all of them would only serve to make this list unbearably long; that's true even if we just kept it to first-party controllers. Sorry Virtual Boy controller, but you're going to have to sit this one out. With that disclaimer of sorts out of the way, let's dive into the list.

The perfect rhythm game controller doesn't exist ... oh wait, it does, and it's the one that came with Guitar Hero. The team that created the guitar-shaped controller went on to create a franchise that has been incredibly successful. Aerosmith made more money from their branded version of the game than they made from any of their albums (via Multiplayerblog). Created by Harmonix and RedOctane, the game plus the guitar controller took only nine months from conception to retail (via Vice). 

The guitar controller was inspired by a Gibson SG, with five buttons on the fretboard so players could make three power chord positions. You also had a whammy bar and a strum bar to control the rhythm-based gameplay. Inspired wasn't the best choice of words, as Gibson sued Harmonix over its close resemblance. That lawsuit ended up in a sealed settlement (via Patent Arcade), with the best guess being that Gibson's patent wasn't broad enough to cover how the game controller was used. The guitar controller genre was hugely successful, with new controllers accompanying each game in the "Guitar Hero" series. Oh, and they aren't just for music games, with game streamers like SuperLouis64 using them to play titles like "Elden Ring."

There's a lot of people out there who are familiar with the Sega Genesis, but the controller you used the most was probably determined more by your region than anything else. Here in the U.S., most us are probably more familiar with the three-button Genesis controller, which is an interesting controller that probably would find its way onto some other lists like this. The three-button controller was the one I used the most back in the day, but there's no denying that the six-button controller was ultimately the better one.

For starters, the six-button controller was just straight-up necessary for fighting games, since it's a lot easier to string moves into combos when you have six buttons instead of just three. It also, in my option, feels better in the hand, as it was a little bit smaller than the three-button controller. It's a shame that Sega didn't pack the six-button controller in with the Sega Genesis Mini, and in fact, that might be the only flaw of an otherwise stellar retro console.

When released in 1996, the Nintendo 64 (N64) brought 3D graphics to the console world for the first time (via History Computer). That innovation was powered by a 64-bit CPU, which also gave the console its name. Moving around in 3D space required more precision than the directional pad that home consoles used then, so Nintendo put a thumbstick onto the N64's controller. It looked like an analog joystick, but it wasn't. It was digital. Inside the controller, the thumbstick worked like the ball in a computer mouse. That gave it enough sensitivity to navigate through 3D games, including degrees of movement (via NEXTGen). The octagonal ring around the thumbstick helped guide you to the eight directions you were used to on directional pads for movement.

The M-shaped controller had a D-pad on the leftmost arm with an action bumper, a thumbstick, and a Z-button trigger on the middle arm. There was one more action bumper and six action buttons on the right arm. The interesting thing about the design is that Nintendo intended it to be held one of three ways, depending on the game being played. That meant you were designed to use only some buttons at any time, unlike modern controllers. The N64 controller also had expansion ports for memory cards or the Rumble Pak, making this the first controller with vibrational feedback.

When it comes to the Gamecube controller, opinions definitely fall into "love it or hate it" camps. Starting with the Nintendo 64, Nintendo definitely had a string of unconventional controller releases — the Gamecube controller was followed by the Wii remote, which itself was followed by the massive Wii U gamepad. Out of all of these controllers, though, I think the Gamecube controller is the best.

The button layout does take some getting used to, but once you have that familiarity, it feels great to use. The left thumbstick is solid, though the C-stick should have been a second fully-fledged thumbstick just like the left one was. With the GameCube controller, we also got one of the best wireless controllers ever made in the Wavebird, which seemed almost before its time in terms of capability.

Meta's newest virtual reality headset comes with a new Quest Touch Pro controller. The new design removes the IR tracking ring from the previous Quest controllers and has more accurate tracking, as the tracking is now done on the controller. This is a big thing, meaning the controllers can be tracked even if they're behind the user. Meta achieved this by putting three cameras on each controller, one at the top and two at the front. Each controller has one of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 662 processors to handle that optical tracking.

Meta also improved haptic feedback using two linear resonant actuators and a voice-coil modulator for the "most complex and realistic haptic effects we've ever had" (via Meta). The new trigger has a sensor that can track the curl or distance from the trigger or where your fingertip is along the trigger's surface. You can also pinch-grip things in virtual reality, with the thumb rest having a pressure sensor. The only thing that could be an issue is durability. Meta's Quest Touch Pro controllers are a new product, and reports of damage are low. That said, Meta does know how to build a controller that lasts. Popular YouTuber, ThrillSeeker, put the Quest 2 controllers through a tumble dryer, and they still worked afterward.

Nintendo has been in the business of making Pro Controllers for a couple of generations now, and with the launch of the Switch, we saw Nintendo hit the mark perfectly when it comes to Pro Controller design. With that said, Nintendo has also fallen into this habit of charging a premium price for its accessories, and at $80, the Switch Pro Controller is no exception.

If you plan on playing your Switch on TV a lot, the Pro Controller is a must-have. It's so much better than using Joy-Cons in the grip that comes bundled with the console, and the Switch Pro Controller has the build quality to challenge its direct competitors — the DualShock 4 and the standard Xbox One gamepad. Often overlooked because of the Switch's unique Joy-Cons, you shouldn't skip the Pro Controller if you plan on doing a lot of gaming on your Switch.

In terms of capability, the Xbox Adaptive Controller blows every controller on this list out of the water. Made for those who can't use a standard gamepad because of disabilities, the Xbox Adaptive Controller looks fairly simple on the surface, with its two big face buttons arranged in a slate-like build.

The secret to the Xbox Adaptive Controller's flexibility is in the row of 3.5mm jacks that stretches the entire top of the device. With these, users can plug in a huge range of peripherals, including buttons, switches, or pedals to create a controller layout that is tailored to their specific needs. The introduction of the Xbox Adaptive Controller meant that those who can't use a traditional gamepad (or a keyboard and mouse) still get to participate in one of the greatest hobbies around, and that's a beautiful thing.

For a number of years, the Xbox 360 gamepad was the controller to beat — the king of the controller hill, so to speak. Microsoft definitely had some missteps with the original Xbox and its absolutely massive Duke controller, but the Xbox Controller S that was released in 2002 corrected a lot of the Duke's mistakes and set the stage for the excellent gamepad that launched with the Xbox 360.

The controller is still a good choice for those who are looking for a gamepad to use on PC, and it'll likely keep that status for sometime to come. Still, as good as the Xbox 360 controller was some years back, it's been supplanted by more modern controllers, particularly those from this generation.

Nintendo has never been afraid to push controller technology forward, and the Wii remote with its companion Nunchuk is a perfect example. That's down to how accessible the controller was to non-gamers. The well-executed motion controls made the Wii the console to buy, with just over 100 million units shipped. The Wiimote, a portmanteau of Wii and remote, lets you steer by turning the controller or hitting a ball with a flick of the wrist — just like in real life.

The Wiimote was created for simplicity, with a wireless connection to the Wii console. It used an IR sensor for cursor tracking in conjunction with an IR emitter bar plugged into the Wii, and sat either on top of or below your TV. That turned it into a wireless mouse for your Wii. The original Wiimote wasn't as accurate for motion tracking, so Nintendo added a Wii MotionPlus accessory with a multi-axis gyroscope inside (via NintendoWorld Report). This accessory was eventually incorporated into the Wiimote. The Wiimote could also be converted into a light blaster, a tennis racket, a golf club, a steering wheel, and more by clipping it into a plastic accessory.

If you're a retro gamer, it doesn't get much better than the SNES gamepad. Even though the Sega Genesis and the Super Nintendo were in close competition throughout much of the fourth generation in the early-to-mid 1990s, it seems that the SNES gamepad has achieved this iconic status that the Sega Genesis controller has not. Why is that?

The SNES gamepad had a lot of things going for it — it had a D-pad that even I as a Sega kid can't deny was really good. The face button layout is something we still see in modern-day controllers, and it was one of the first controllers to introduce shoulder buttons. It did a lot of things right and had few — if any — flaws, so it's no wonder the controller is still widely loved today.

Nintendo's latest controller, the paired Joy-Con, is also one of its best. Developed for the Switch portable game console, they can be used docked to the console or removed for use in each hand or individually. That powers the Switch's main selling point: The console can be used handheld or docked to a TV. Joy-Cons have a thumbstick, four input buttons, and a trigger button. The right Joy-Con also has a plus button and a home button, with the left Joy-Con having a minus button and a dedicated button to take screenshots or short recordings.

Also featuring motion control, the Joy-Cons enable things like aiming, shaking, or flicking to control your onscreen character or their moves. Each little controller can be used as a pair for games that demand a more extensive range of inputs, or turned 90 degrees and used individually for more simple games or Nintendo's back catalog of SNES and NES games. You can also dock them to an accessory to make a larger, more traditional controller shape. Nintendo includes Joy-Con straps that securely attach the controllers to your wrists (something Nintendo learned about with the Wiimote). Joy-Cons have one major con — stick drift.

I will openly admit that while I've owned every iteration of the PlayStation, I've never been a big fan of Sony's controllers, which mostly kept the same design from the introduction of the DualShock controller during the days of the PlayStation 1 all the way through the DualShock 3 with the PS3.

With this generation, though, Sony did more than just slightly tweak its controller design. Sony's design team was firing on all cylinders when it came up with the DualShock 4, giving us one of the best controllers ever made. It feels great to hold, the thumbsticks are superb, and it just feels like a step above the DualShock controllers that came before it.

Before the PlayStation 5's release, Sony spent a lot of effort talking up the new controller it had created, the DualSense. Not for no good reason, either, as the new controller has multiple features that no other controller can match. Sony also tweaked the ergonomics of the DualSense, with a shape that's a more natural feeling to hold. It might be the best controller ever made, although it's fairer to say that it's the best standard controller that ships bundled with a console.

Sony got the basics spot-on with the DualSense. The thumbsticks are well-positioned and, more importantly, well-tensioned. The buttons feel good, and the battery life is good. Both triggers have a small geared motor to adjust tension and resistance as you play. In "Horizon Forbidden West," you can feel the tension in the string as you pull back Aloy's bow. Sony put advanced haptic feedback technology into the DualSense, which is more immersive than plain rumble vibration. Instead of a spinning weight, the DualSense uses linear resonant actuators (LRAs), the same tech smartphones use to power their haptic feedback. These use less power and can start and stop more precisely, leading to more nuanced feedback on your hands. The DualSense also has a handy speaker and microphone, which can be used for in-game voice chat, controlling your PS5 via voice commands, or leveraged by developers for in-game functions.

Anyone familiar with professional eSports knows the name SCUF. Its custom controllers have been used in major tournaments across most big leagues, including the Call of Duty League. The company proudly says that "over 90% of top professional gamers" use SCUF controllers, which makes them deserving of a place on this list. SCUF's controller innovations are covered by more than 120 granted patents and designs, with 50 more patent pending applications (via SCUF). Microsoft licenses some IP to make the Xbox One Elite Wireless controller family.

Its latest creation is the SCUF Reflex range, created to improve on the PS5's DualSense controller. The three models are built around a common core, with four of SCUF's patented remappable paddles on the back. Button remaps can be stored on-device, and SCUF has deep customization of colors and designs. The Reflex also features interchangeable thumbsticks with various height and shape options, Bluetooth, a physical mute button for in-game comms, and USB-C for charging and wired play. The most expensive model, the Reflex FPS, removes the vibration modules and exchanges the adaptive triggers for instant triggers and bumpers, perfect for quick responses in FPS titles.

If you frequent rankings like this one, then you probably saw this coming. Controller enthusiasts won't be shocked to see the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 at the top of this list because it's simply the best controller money can buy at the moment. The problem, of course, is that it takes a lot of money to buy one.

At $180, the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 definitely isn't cheap. If you have the cash to spare, though, you'll likely find that this controller is worth the steep price tag. Even if you aren't going to use all of the bits that come along with this controller — from extra paddles on the back and swappable d-pads to swappable, adjustable thumbsticks — the controller feels great in the hand with rubberized grips and a sturdy build. With the option of playing over Xbox Wireless, Bluetooth, or USB-C, the Series 2 improves on connectivity over the Series 1, addressing one of my major complaints with the Elite Controller family. It's an all around fantastic controller if you can stomach the price tag.