If you’re reading this, that means you’ve been invited to participate in an MGSR event, thank you! This guide will get you set up with what is expected to be able to send your game footage to the live MGSR stream. Please ensure you read these instructions carefully and that you complete your set-up well ahead of time. Turning up for your run without completing this setup may result in your run being canceled!

This video guide can help with getting started if you'd prefer to see it rather than read through it, though there are parts of this guide that aren't shown in the video:

Whilst this guide will use OBS as the example software, as long as you can apply the requested settings, you should be able to use any streaming software. Start by making a dedicated MGSR Profile and Scene Collection; that way you won’t interfere with your existing stream scenes and settings and you can switch between them at any time. If you have any issues getting set up, contact an MGSR Staff Member ahead of the event so we can help you out. Please don’t wait until just before your run to tell us you have an issue.

Your new profile manages your settings, so open your settings menu. Any settings not advised in this guide can be set to your own preference. You will need to adjust settings in the following menus:

This is where you’ll select the correct MGSR RTMP server to stream to, depending on your location. You do not stream to your own Twitch channel.

• Service: Custom…
• Server: You'll be assigned one of the following servers based on the location of runners in the event:

• Stream Key (sometimes referred to as a “slug”): You'll be provided a stream key that will be a set of letters a dash and a number, e.g. mgsr-01

If unsure, check in the thread of the event or in the #🎧backstage text channel on Discord.

This is the quality of your stream. If you have fantastic internet and a computer built for streaming, then you should have no issues hitting the maximum settings. However, don't push yourself unnecessarily, stability is more important than quality. Though do let us know ahead of time if the minimum settings will be an issue.

• Video Bitrate: 500kbps min/4000kbps max (2000kbps max for Oceania)
• Audio Bitrate: 128kbps

This is the resolution of your stream. Even if you are running a 4:3 game, you should still use these settings.

• Base (Canvas) Resolution: 1920×1080 or 1280×720 (1080 recommended for HD games)
• Output Resolution: 1280×720 (768×432 if you have limited internet)
• Common FPS Values: 60 (you can select 30 if your game only supports 30fps or your internet/PC requires a lower FPS value)

Your scene collection manages your scenes, though you should only need one. Your scene only needs your game video and audio:

• Ideally, this should be done using Game Capture or Window Capture; Display Capture should only be used if the other two options cannot work for your game, as Display Capture may result in showing your desktop or other items that shouldn’t be shown.
• Unless your game specifically uses a cursor, ensure that Cursor Capture is disabled.
• Ensure Capture Third Party Overlays is disabled.
• Regardless of your game’s aspect ratio, you must stretch your game capture to fill the entire canvas. This includes the removal of any borders, like the example below:

• This can either be done by right-clicking on the source and selecting “Stretch to Screen”, or by holding Shift and dragging the handles of the source to the edge of the screen. You can also hold Alt whilst dragging to crop out sections of your game, in case there are any borders around it. For further advice on filling the canvas, please watch the MGSR Stream Setup video.
• There must be no other sources on your stream. Please do not display your own timer, any alerts, or other overlays.

• You must only broadcast your game’s audio. Your microphone and any commentators will be captured through the MGSR Discord server. Ensure your microphone source is muted. If in a race, you won’t be on comms, so you’ll be able to mute and deafen Discord whilst you play.
• To avoid other sounds from your computer, any accidental noise, or if you’re providing comms alongside another commentator, you must split your audio so that only your game audio is broadcast. If you have your own method of doing this (different audio devices, Voicemeeter Banana) then you’re welcome to use it.
• If you’re new to audio splitting, we highly recommend using the win-capture-audio plugin for OBS. This will allow you to capture the audio directly from your game without the need for virtual cables. Instructions can be found in the video guide. If you're running OBS version 28 or later, capturing application audio is now a built-in function and does not require this separate plugin.

You and any commentators you’ve invited for your run will need to be members of the Metal Gear Speedrunners Discord. You’ll need to ensure that your intended microphone is set up to transmit to it.

You’ll be given the @Backstage role, allowing you access to the #🎧backstage text channel. Ensure you keep an eye on it, especially for any pings with information. If you’re unsure about anything, check the pins in the channel. If you can’t find the answer, this is also the channel to ask questions or shout if you’re having problems with your setup.

You should aim to be on Discord and make event staff know that you’re present at least 15 minutes before the start of your run. If you’re not the first runner in a marathon or set of races, keep an eye on the event to see if it is running ahead or behind schedule, though you will be pinged in good time as a heads up to be ready.

Prepare your streaming software, boot up your game and ensure everything on your stream viewer looks and sounds correct. Don’t start streaming yet, but you should then join the Green Room voice channel. Do not enter the MGSR Channel voice channel unless told to do so.

Once the previous run has finished and the mics are cold, the host will invite you to join the MGSR Channel voice channel. They’ll advise you when to go live so they can check the RTMP for your stream and do some sound checks. Confirm with your host when the timer should start and end if doing a solo run. If providing commentary alongside other commentators, you should consider also streaming your game footage on Discord so your co-commentators don’t have any delay issues.

Once ready, if you’re in a race, you’ll be encouraged to mute and deafen Discord so you can concentrate on your run. If not in a race and you are providing commentary whilst running, the host will countdown to the mics being live. They will then talk first, introducing the run and yourself and then handing it over to you to get started.

If possible, keep the #🎧backstage channel open on another screen or device. This is where you’ll be given your countdown to start a race, or given info if there are any issues during the run.

If you’re not in a race and providing your own commentary, just enjoy it and don’t worry too much about what’s said. Try to keep the conversation focused on the run, and keep it flowing if you can, but there’s no harm in being quiet during difficult sections, and don’t be afraid to ask your commentators for quiet if you need it briefly to concentrate.

Please keep swearing to a minimum, think PG-13. If it naturally comes up it’s fine, we just don’t want the entire commentary filled with it; remember, you are representing the MGSR community by appearing on the channel. There should be no discussions of politics, race, religion etc, and strictly no obscene or degrading content. Twitch Terms of Service must be followed at all times:

• https://www.twitch.tv/p/legal/terms-of-service/
• https://www.twitch.tv/p/legal/community-guidelines/

You may promote your own channel or projects at appropriate times, but don’t overdo it; constant self-promotion is poor etiquette. Giving a shout-out at the end of the run to where you can be found or an event that’s coming up soon is a good way to do so.

Keep the focus on the game, but most importantly, have fun with it. You’re welcome to respond to viewer chat if you want to. You should also give the host a heads up that time is coming up when nearly at the end of the run.

You are expected to finish your run. If things go bad or you’re massively behind your opponent, you should still persevere to finish. Viewers will respect your perseverance and this can often be very entertaining and rewarding to watch. If something happens, such as a crash or lock, try and revert to a backup save, even if you have to reset your game to do so. If you’re in a race, there should be rules in place for this circumstance.

If you absolutely must cut your run short, notify staff in #backstage first, don’t just cut your stream. They’ll then advise what to do. It should be noted that runners who do cut runs without good reason or do so multiple times may not be invited to participate in future events.

If in a race, you can unmute and undeafen once you’ve completed the run and join in the commentary. A lot of games in the Metal Gear series require watching the credits to reach the score screen, so this is a good time to talk about how the run went. If in a solo run, use the credit sequence to close out your commentary so that you can end promptly once you’ve viewed the score screen.

When ending, say goodbye or make it clear that you’ve finished your commentary. The host will then say a few words, take the stream to intermission, and advise when the mics are cold.

Once the mics are cold, STOP YOUR STREAM. It is extremely important that you stop broadcasting to the RTMP server once finished, otherwise, the next runner won’t be able to start their stream. You can stick around for a moment in the Discord channel to finish up, but don’t dawdle for long as the next run will be jumping in to get started. You’re welcome to jump into the Green Room or other voice channels to talk to others.

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