How To Use OBS Studio to Record Gameplay (2024 Guide)

OBS Studio, known to be free software available on any computer—offers multifunctionality due to its powerful features and convenience. You can record all the gameplay and other recording activities. Also, this platform supports live streaming if you are fond of showing your games to an audience.

However, though OBS Studio offers the maximum functionality that an ideal recording and streaming platform might have, it is not that perfect and comes with its own lapses. One of these was its complex interface, which requires new users to take time to comprehend and navigate different buttons for different functions.

Due to the demand, here is the step-by-step procedure for how to use OBS to record gameplay, as well as how to set it up. Also, we discuss an alternative that you might try, offering the same function as the OBS Player yet with easy-to-navigate buttons.

Part 1. How To Record Gameplay Using OBS StudioPart 2. How to Use an Alternative for OBS to Record GameplayConclusion

Part 1. How To Record Gameplay Using OBS Studio

In this part, we discuss the must-knows in the OBS Player that a certain user might understand to use the software: OBS Player Settings, Recording Gameplay, and Troubleshooting.

#1. Maximum OBS Player Settings to Record Gameplay

Since you, as a user, wanted to maximize what the OBS Player offers, here are the necessary settings that you can learn or adjust in order to attain the best recording quality. Here are the things to consider, or at least manipulate:

1. Change the FPS (frames per second): For smooth recording, it is required for the FPS to record at 60 FPS or higher.
2. Set Audio Bitrate: For cleaner audio to be recorded, it might require a higher audio bitrate (around 100 kbps or higher).
3. Manipulate Video Bitrate: Since you are recording video gameplay, it should be around 800 Kbps or higher, attaining the medium to maximum bitrate of video.

With that information ahead, we will discuss how to set your OBS Studio into it required settings. Also, we will tackle how to use OBS Studio to record gameplay.

#2. How to Set Up Settings and Record Gameplay (Step-by-Step Procedure)

Follow this guide to set the settings aforementioned, as well as learn how to use OBS Studio to record gameplay.

1. Download and install OBS Studio on your computer. You can visit their official website to download the official file.
2. Set up the OBS Studio for recoding gameplay. It encompasses the resolution, frame rate, output, and audio settings.
1. Go to "Settings”.
2. For resolution and frame rate settings, select the “Video” panel button and see the settings about FPS and resolution. To record high-quality gameplay (often fast-paced), move the FPS to 60 (from the default 30 FPS).
3. For output, select the “Output” button on the left panel. You can manipulate the default output settings displayed, based on your needs. Also, you can change the quality, format, saving path, and others here.
4. Lastly, for the audio settings, go to the “Audio” tab, where you can change the audio bitrate. You can set it to around 192–320, depending on your needs and the power of your computer.
3. Go back to the main interface > Source box > select the “+” button indicating Game Capture > add a new source name.
4. Select game capture mode depending on your needs: “Capture Specific Window” or “Capture Any Fullscreen Application”.
5. Begin recording by clicking the “Start Recording” button.

As a matter of fact, OBS, though seems to be efficient, mostly encounters problems, such as why it stops working, that require troubleshooting.

#3. Troubleshooting for OBS to Record Gameplay

Newbies and those who do not have enough knowledge in the OBS Studio often encounter circumstances that need further troubleshooting. Without further ado, here’s a quick troubleshooting guide that you can use if you have problems using OBS to record gameplay.

1. OBS Game Capture Not Working: Run the OBS Studio as an administrator.
2. OBS Not Recording Audio: Unmute the OBS in the volume mixer (if it is muted) or troubleshoot further.
3. OBS Recording Shuttering: Change the OBS settings since it might be incompatible with the computer or the GPU gets overloaded.

Part 2. How to Use an Alternative for OBS to Record Gameplay

As presented, you might wonder why different screen recorders arise despite the fact that OBS can perform gameplay recording and alike. It is all due to the fact that it is complex to use, and presents with various problems that might be hard to resolve (if you are a beginner).

Luckily, FoneDog Screen Recorder offers the same function as OBS Studio yet provides a more comprehendible and beginner-friendly interface— that does not require much time to read and is often direct and to the point. This is also available on Windows and Mac, offering high-quality gameplay recording, lag-free, has no watermark, and can record your web camera, audio, and screen. Plus, its accessibility to edit and make real-time annotations makes it stand out.

Free Download For Windows Free Download For normal Macs Free Download For M1, M2, M3

To record using FoneDog Screen Recorder as an OBS Studio alternative, here is how:

1. After installing, go to the gameplay you want to capture.
2. Click “Video Recorder” at the interface.
3. Select the recording area. For gameplay, we recommend "Window”.
4. Set up to allow recording of the screen.
5. Adjust “Audio” settings to choose if you want to record the system sound, your microphone, both, or none.
6. Begin the recording by clicking “Start Recording”
7. Stop the recording by hitting “Stop Recording”. You can also edit the captured video, which is automatically saved on your computer.

Note: You can also edit and make annotations while having your screen recorded using the floating tab.

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Conclusion

As OBS Studio provides quality tools to record gameplay, we cannot deny the fact that it is too complex to understand and use, especially for beginners and not tech-savvy individuals. Alternatives like FoneDog Screen Recorder, which functions the same and has added features that are easier to use, do not require multiple clicks to barely record yet yield high-quality recordings of gameplay and any screen capture. Give it a try!