The Stream Team

It's a magical time: Throughout this week there will be sightings of leprechauns, lucky shamrocks will sprout up everywhere, and folks will be chasing rainbows hoping to find a special treasure. It's also the time I can say "blarney" without everyone looking at me askance! Yup, Saint Paddy's is right around the corner, the day that capstones a week when untold masses find their inner-Irish self. Those brave enough to admit they've adopted the traditions of this time can stand up and be counted in the poll at the end.

Need more to do while awaiting Sunday's revelry and pinch-a-thon? Why not watch a smorgasbord of tomfoolery on Massively TV. You can join your favorite Stream Team hosts in chat or even in game and be a part the trouble they get themselves into! Just check the schedule for the when and the where. You can also catch previous shows at your own convenience and laugh at the crazy antics displayed (and trust us, they are plenty crazy). It's all waiting for you after the break!

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We hear the phrase "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" all the time, right? Unfortunately, our first streams always seem to be the most buggy and give us the most trouble. I know if I had it my way, I'd rather have my audience catch my stream now rather than when I first started. Of course, we don't have that luxury all the time. What can we do to give that first impression an extra boost?

In past Learning to Livestream articles, I've addressed the issues regarding the quality of the stream itself. I won't rehash that. Instead, I will talk about one of my favorite subjects: graphics. The first part of my college and professional career was in graphic design -- mostly for print -- but in today's market, graphic designers cannot help but at least dabble in web and television graphics. It should come as no surprise that I did the same. Before you go thinking that you have to have some outlandish art degree to create graphics for your stream, finish reading the rest of this article. I'll show you a few tips to better your stream's first impression.

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It can strike out of nowhere: that random line or twenty from one of the movie greats just rockets out of your mouth. But I'm not talking about some box office smash. Oh no, I'm talking about the truly defining films of our culture -- the cult classics! With their quirkiness, their courage to stretch beyond the boundaries of the industry, and of course those sensationally memorable lines, these films embedded themselves in our psyches and helped shape our social environment.

Wouldn't it be great to have been at the dawning of these bits of history? Well why not be at the start of a budding cult classic? While there are no guarantees, there's certainly a possibility that one of Massively TV's shows will rise up and join the hallowed annals of cult status. You never know, so why deny yourself the opportunity and live with regret?

Check out this week's Stream Team schedule after the cut and be a part of history in the making, all while enjoying the crazy commentary of your favorites hosts as they show off new betas and old standbys alike. Then vote for your favorite movie to MMO conversion in our poll at the end.

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It's possible that you can download XSplit or Open Broadcaster Software and immediately start streaming. You would be one of the lucky ones. Sure, most of the software is easy to set up initially, but ask anybody who has been streaming for any extended period of time and he'll tell you that no long-term stream goes off without a hitch every time.

Thankfully, Massively has an entire team of long-term streamers. Most of us have been livestreaming for a couple of years. What's amazing is that we are still learning new things. The Stream Team remains in constant communication with each other; we lean on each other for advice and tips. In fact, I'm going to pass on some of these tips to you now in this third edition of Learning to Livestream.

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And into the fire! Or water, as the case may be.

Have you ever had one of those days when every time you finally extricated yourself from one mess, you just landed smack dab in the middle of another, managing to climb out of a water trap only to have your celebration cut short by falling right into a sheer-sided pit? And all after getting lost in foliage on a mountainside? Well, if you ever do have a day like that, hunker down and watch some Stream Team adventures on Massively TV. Then you can laugh at the misfortunes of your favorite streamers and forget about whatever craziness awaits you in the world at large.

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Last week in this Learning to Livestream miniseries, we pulled apart my livestreaming computer, analyzed each part, and explained why I bought the pieces that I did. I loved the comments as well. Different players have differing opinions of which pieces are needed for which purpose. I appreciate the input; it makes us better streamers.

The one key ingredient that I did not talk about last week was the software. Encoding and uploading software obviously play a key role in how well the stream works and the audience's enjoyment of your broadcast. Currently, the Stream Team uses XSplit for the majority of its broadcasts, so I will spend most of my space today explaining how to set that up. But there are alternatives. What do other pieces of software have to offer, and is there a setup that reduces the CPU lag for older systems? Continue on and we'll get into the nitty-gritty of livesteaming software.

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Ironically, I was going to have a "Let it snow edition," but I kept bumping it in favor of focusing on other February frivolity. Good thing, too, as I don't want anyone blaming me for the storm that hit the east. I myself was intimately acquainted with that storm, as it stranded me for two days in various airports while I was trying to get home. The nerve of it -- it even forced me to miss streams. *cries* Nemo was always a troublemaker!

Luckily, that's all behind us now. We have nothing ahead but smooth livestreams. And by smooth, I mean ample opportunities for your favorite hosts to pull crazy stunts and die in spectacular ways! How many interesting and unique ways can The Stream Team members get themselves in trouble this week? Tune into Massively TV and see!

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The first incarnation of Massively's Stream Team hit the interwebs almost two years ago. We've learned a lot about livestreaming and working with the different equipment since then. And a common question from the chatroom during our streams is, "What is your set-up?" Recently, I purchased a new computer system with the primary purpose of making my streams look good. If you didn't see my stream this week with Star Wars: The Old Republic, then hop over to our Twitch channel. It looks really smooth, and as I said in the stream, that's not even my whole setup.

Over the next few weeks, we will explore the ins and outs and the ups and downs of livestreaming MMOs in a new miniseries called Learning to Livestream. This week, I will introduce you to my rig and why I made the choices I made when purchasing the equipment. Then, in the following weeks, I will ask my Stream Teammates how they have set up their systems. It's also important for us to talk about streaming from a less-than-optimal system. I'm sure you'll also be interested in streaming from a console, so we'll cover that too, and then finish up by discussing my area of expertise: graphics.

First, let me introduce you to my new baby.

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You knew this week was coming. Whether you dreaded it with the choking feeling of impending doom or blissfully looked forward to it with eyes brimming with anticipation, the cupid infestation is upon us! Regardless of your feelings (or ambivalence), there is no way to fully dodge the trappings of this heart-studded season. But all is not lost: Even if there is no escape, there can be distraction! That's where The Stream Team comes in.

Forget about love, promises, chocolate, and heartbreak (OK, maybe not chocolate) by watching your favorite games played by your favorite hosts on Massively TV. Heck you can even join them in-game. And remember, whatever else happens this week, there are candy conversation hearts and The Stream Team!

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Oh I can certainly wait to get on the road again. Or in my case, the tarmac. Tarmac squatting is not on the top of my list of vacationing highlights.

Yes folks, I am out and about, traveling to and fro, which means that my gaming time is severely curtailed. The agony! Thankfully, I have my trusty laptop and Massively TV to quell my withdrawal symptoms. A daily dose of my favorite games hosted by The Stream Team will help me get through the rough week ahead. A little banter in the chat room, a little watching the livestreamers fall, sprint, and charge to their deaths in a variety of pixeled worlds... yeah, that will definitely brighten things and tide me over!

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Will he or won't he? This week, eyes turn towards Punxsutawney Phil, that celebrated weatherman covered in fur, to learn whether winter is getting kicked out the door or it will stick around with feet propped on the coffee table like a bad houseguest whose welcome has long worn out.

Our fate lies in the shadow, and only the shadow truly knows! Or does it? Maybe Phil has a little under-the-table agreement going with his shadow and the results are totally precalculated. Perhaps the groundhog and his shadow want only to mess with us, toying with our hopes and emotions. Resist this type of tyrannical manipulation, I say! Resist by ignoring the threat (or promise) of the weather and focus your energies on watching Massively TV. After all, you can rest assured that The Stream Team would never mess with you like that. Lead you off a cliff, however, is an entirely different matter...

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Change is good. Especially when it's lots of change... like in the $100 bill variety. Of course, I'm talking coinage there, not alterations in life. When life changes too much, it can really throw us for a loop. Though come to think of it, is that such a bad thing? Watching your favorite Stream Team members doing loopty loops would be pretty dang entertaining!

A few things in my life have been on the path to change lately -- some abrupt, some gradual. Even here at Massively we've had recent changes (new streamer and cool behind-the-scenes programming goodies FTW!). And Massively TV is all about change, bringing you new shows to enjoy each week! In that light, I'm willing to accept that the whole change-is-good mantra isn't all bad.

Want to experience a bit of change yourself? Then check out your favorite games played by your favorite streamers after the cut, and be sure to let us know who you'd like to see team up for more two-hour blocks of Massively mayhem.

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You went right over the edge at full tilt, like a speeding locomotive with dreams of flying. Oh, you knew it was coming. You knew it was bound to happen, most likely sooner than later. You already envisioned that plunge over the cliff.

What? No, not that cliff. For shame, trying to bring politics on the hallowed ground of The Stream Team. I was talking about your favorite Massively TV hosts veering off the path and plummeting (at times to their deaths) into the depths below, just as I did it this past week in the Icy Keep! We like to say it is on purpose, but... yeah.

Have you seen your favorite livestreamers pull a "whoops" or Leeroy Jenkins lately? If not, you'd better join in this week to catch all the new blunders. And you certainly don't want to miss out on the special treats -- an all new Massively livestreamer and a game of pin the quote on the streamer!

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It was bound to happen. And we totally understand -- really. We've all been there, so there are no judgments coming from us. Besides, you might have even made it longer this year than last. Perhaps this could be one of those times when we say it's the thought that counts. After all, those pesky resolutions seem made to be broken, don't they?

I'm actually not doing too badly, relatively speaking. Luckily, some of my resolutions revolve around The Stream Team, so I have maintained my record on those. Experience crazy technical glitches? Check! Got that one rolling early on. Watch more Massively TV each week? Pfft, bring on something hard to do! Oh, here's one -- team up with another livestreamer for two hours of amusing antics? Well, you'll just have to check past the cut to see whether I succeeded at that one. And while you are there, let us know how long your resolutions held out.

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It's the final countdown. Do do do do. Do do do do do... Admit it, you were just singing along too, weren't you? That's OK -- I wasn't listening. Or recording. Promise! If your sparkling rendition becomes an overnight sensation on YouTube, it will be purely a coincidence.

Seriously, how is this year over already? This is it. The clock has nearly finished ticking down on 2012. In fact, before this week is out, we will leave the year behind us. It was a fairly good one, and I will give it a fond farewell. But then it is on to a brand-spanking new year.

It is at this time that many folks make resolutions to enhance their lives. What better way to enhance life than by adding more The Stream Team hilarity? I shall join in this time-honored tradition and commit to immerse myself in as much Massively TV as possible, starting with all of the great shows this week. Or was it that I will avoid being committed... either way, it will make for some great entertainment. So why don't you join us in filling 2013 with gaming goodness? And be sure to drop us a note about your favorite New Year's traditions in the comments!

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