Welcome to the first in a new series where Quality Streamers shines a spotlight on small but brilliant streamers—giving them a chance to share their story, their struggles, and what makes their content unique. Our goal? To help more people discover awesome creators who deserve to be noticed.
Kicking things off, we’re sitting down with RadgeGamer79—a Scottish variety streamer known for his mix of comedy, chaos, and straight-talking advice for fellow streamers. From podcasting to gaming, helping others with their streams, and the constant battle of keeping things fresh, this is Radge in his own words.
Q1. Who is RadgeGamer79, and what made you start streaming?
I’m RadgeGamer79, a Scottish dad who’s been told (and firmly believes) I’m funny as fuck, or at least I try to be, I know I’m nowhere near as fanny in reality as to what’s going on in my own head. I’m a variety streamer who thrives on comedy, chaos, and helping others improve their streams. Whether it’s GTA RP, shooters, or just anything fun, my approach is unfiltered, sarcastic, and all about having a laugh—because gaming should never be taken too seriously.
When I first started, it wasn’t some grand plan; it just made sense. I wanted to play games and find like-minded people, and going live felt like the best way to do both. It kind of happened by accident. I was playing Fortnite with my daughter—a game I never wanted to touch but somehow got hooked on—and that led to me streaming. At the time, I also played a bit of GTA5, though not much on stream. Over time, that shifted into GTA RP, and now I play that more than anything. That said, I still consider myself a variety streamer and plan to bring back more variety in the future.
Q2. What was the biggest challenge in those early days of streaming?
The biggest challenge early on was just figuring out how everything worked. I had no idea what raids were, how hosting worked (back when it was still a thing), or why some people had features I didn’t. I didn’t realize there was a difference between affiliate, partner, and non-affiliate streamers at first, so I kept wondering why my channel didn’t have certain options others did.
When I started, it wasn’t even about gaming—it was more about a podcast I was doing at the time. That meant I didn’t have to worry about setting up game streams, but there was a trade-off: the technical side of things was more complex because of all the Streamlabs setup I had to do. Luckily, with my IT experience, I picked it up quickly, and when it naturally transitioned into gaming, it was effortless.
As for having little to no viewers—honestly, that’s still the case most of the time, and I don’t mind. I stream for fun. I’d love for it to grow, but if it happens, it happens. Sure, sometimes it’s deflating when you put in loads of effort for little reward, but every now and then, you get these unexpected moments that make it all worth it.
I never really had technical struggles since IT has been my thing for years—I could see potential issues before they happened and avoided them. But imposter syndrome? That’s a real thing. I’ve had moments where I wondered if I should just stop, mainly because of my age. But then I remind myself: why should I care? Actors keep going until they physically can’t anymore—why should streaming be any different? As long as I enjoy it, I’ll keep doing it.
Q3. You mentioned that a podcast is what actually got you started on Twitch – Can you tell us more about that?
The podcast was about Scottish life—not just specifically Scottish things, but also a Scottish perspective on things that weren’t Scottish. Basically, we could talk about anything and everything, and that freedom made it fun.
We originally tried to get listener participation by having people send in voice messages and questions through Facebook and the recording app we used, but it was hard getting people to actually engage. That’s when I thought about using Twitch as a way to get a live audience. Instead of waiting for messages that might never come, we could have chat interact with us in real time while we were recording. It was a game-changer—we could talk about whatever we wanted, and chat could throw in their own thoughts instantly, which made it feel more alive.
The biggest difference between podcasting and streaming is that a podcast doesn’t have to be live—you can edit it, clean it up, and make it sound perfect. Streaming, on the other hand, is complete chaos because it’s unfiltered and unedited. That said, I always recorded the podcast as if it was live, with minimal editing unless it was absolutely necessary. So when we made the jump to Twitch, the only real difference was suddenly having a camera in my face. The way we talked and interacted didn’t really change.
Eventually, the podcast came to an end, but by then, I had already started gaming, and there was some overlap between the two. Once the podcast stopped, I just carried on streaming, and it’s been gaming content ever since.
Q4. Do you ever miss the podcast? And would you ever consider going back to it?
I do miss the podcast, but more so the original vision of it. Over time, it started to change into something I didn’t enjoy, and I take responsibility for that—I wasn’t as clear as I should’ve been about the goals and direction. It became something different from what I had intended, and that’s something I’d rather not dwell on.
Would I go back to it? Cautiously, I’d love to. But it would have to be in line with the original vision, and that’s where the challenge is—not in growing a listener base, I think that would be the easy part, but in actually sitting down and making it happen in a way that avoids the same mistakes. I’d need to believe it could work without risking friendships or going down the wrong path again.
Streaming fills the creative space, but not in the same way. The podcast was more humor-based, and while my streams should be too, it’s a different dynamic. When you don’t know who’s watching and there isn’t another voice to bounce off of, the energy changes. Streaming gives me that live interaction I wanted, but the humor and flow of the podcast were something else entirely.
Q5. What made you stick with streaming instead of returning to podcasting?
Streaming stuck because it’s just me—I don’t have to run ideas past anyone, I don’t have to worry about whether it fits someone else’s vision, and I can do what I like without stressing about how well it performs. I’d love for it to grow, of course, but at the end of the day, it’s a hobby first. I enjoy it, and that’s what matters.
Streaming also gives me more freedom. I never really felt restricted when I was doing the podcast, but there’s something nice about having an idea and just running with it, knowing I don’t need approval from anyone else. It’s all on my terms.
If I ever went back to podcasting, it wouldn’t replace streaming—it would be alongside it. There’s enough Radge to go around for both. But as for a hybrid approach? I don’t think that would work. The podcast could exist as a live stream, sure, but my gaming content doesn’t fit into that format. The two don’t really mix unless I completely changed how I did things. So while I’ve thought about it, for now, I see them as separate things.
Q6. Your content isn’t just gaming; you also help other streamers improve their setups. What inspired you to take on that role?
I started helping other streamers almost instantly. I was proud of how I set up the podcast stream and then the initial RadgeGamer79 setup, and I wanted to learn more. The best way to do that was to take what I already knew, refine it, and help others at the same time. I’ve always loved building things and making things look good, so it just made sense to share what I was learning as I went.
I realized I had something valuable to offer when other streamers started asking me how I did things. They weren’t just making small talk—they were genuinely interested because they wanted similar setups for their own streams. That’s when I knew this was something I could help people with, and I enjoyed it.
I wouldn’t say I love the technical side when it comes to troubleshooting problems, but when it’s about creating—designing overlays, setting up clean and functional layouts, making things look and feel right—I absolutely love it. Do I love it more than streaming itself? Probably about the same.
The most satisfying part, though, is seeing something I made on someone else’s stream and knowing it’s helping them succeed. Whether it’s an overlay, a setup tweak, or just advice that made their life easier, seeing it in action is a great feeling.
Q7. You’re known for a mix of humor, chaos, and no-nonsense stream advice. How would you describe your own streaming style?
If I had to sum up my stream in three words, it would be funny, sarcastic, and chaotic—because that’s exactly what it is. There’s no script, no fake reactions, just me playing games, talking nonsense, and seeing where the chaos takes us.
I don’t think anything really keeps people coming back, because, well… they rarely do! But if they do, I’d like to think it’s because of the personality rather than just the games. Anyone can watch someone play GTA RP or whatever game I’m on, but they’re choosing to watch me—so something about my personality must be working.
As for how much of what I do is just “for the camera”—it’s all me. There’s no act, no switch I flip when I hit “Go Live.” The people who know me in real life would probably back that up. What you see on stream is what you’d get if we were just sitting having a chat.
I wouldn’t say humor alone is what makes the stream stand out—it’s more the personality as a whole. The humor is just part of that, mixed in with the sarcasm, the nonsense, and whatever chaos unfolds in the moment.
Q8. What’s been your proudest moment as a streamer so far?
I wouldn’t say I have a single moment I’m proud of, but what I do enjoy is helping people—especially when they’ve been struggling with something for ages. Seeing that relief when they finally fix an issue that’s been beating them down is a great feeling. I know how frustrating it is when you can’t get something to work, and when someone steps in and helps, it’s a huge weight off your shoulders. Being able to do that for others is something I really value.
One moment that stands out, though, is when a viewer came in who was clearly having a rough time. He’d been in the stream before, usually in good spirits, but this time he was off—down, frustrated, and even lashing out a bit at others in chat. Instead of just banning him or ignoring it, I called him out—not in a harsh way, but just a hey, mate, not here kind of way. This is a place where people come to enjoy themselves, not to get hate. That seemed to flip a switch for him, and he opened up. After the stream, we ended up chatting on Discord, and I hope I helped in some way. He came back a few more times after that, just saying hi and having a small chat before heading off. He told me he felt ignored in life, and I didn’t want him to feel that way in my community. That moment stuck with me.
From a creative side, I’m proud of some of the effects I’ve built into my stream. The vanishing into thin air one is probably my favorite—I love seeing the reactions of people wondering what just happened. Or getting sent to hell mid-stream—that one’s brilliant too. You really have to see them to understand, but those little touches are the kind of things that make my streams more than just gameplay.
If I could go back and give myself advice? Stream more consistently. Stick at it. Don’t take big breaks. Build the following. I know I’ve had moments where I lost momentum, and if I’d been more consistent, who knows where I’d be now? But, as always, you learn as you go.
Q9. With so many streamers out there, what do you think makes RadgeGamer79 stand out?
If someone likes my stream, they’re always welcome—as long as they respect the rules. I’m not overly strict, but I don’t tolerate anything hateful or disrespectful. So why should someone watch me over another streamer? Simple: because they enjoy the atmosphere and the banter. That’s what my stream is about—just having a laugh, no overcomplicated nonsense.
At the end of the day, my personality is the only real selling point. No one’s coming specifically for my fancy graphics or cool animations. No one’s tuning in just to watch me play a game they could find on a hundred other streams. Those things might draw people in, but the only reason they stay is because of the person behind it all—me.
The one thing you’ll find on my stream that you won’t find anywhere else is… me. Plain and simple. There are thousands of streamers playing the same games, using the same background music, even talking about similar topics. But they’re not me. That’s the only guarantee I can give.
If someone watches my stream even once, I hope they remember the vibes and the entertainment value. They don’t pay for the content—it’s free. So all I can do is make it enjoyable enough that they want to come back, maybe drop a follow, and if they really like it, maybe even subscribe.
Q10. Twitch is always changing. How do you adapt and keep things fresh for your community?
I don’t need Twitch to change for me to look for ways to improve—I do that constantly. After every stream, I try to note what went wrong, what didn’t work, and what flopped, then I adjust for the next stream where possible. It’s a constant process of tweaking and refining to make things better.
One of the biggest changes I ever made was deleting my entire overlay and effects setup. My PC was giving me endless problems, things were randomly breaking, and fixing it all was taking way too much effort. I could’ve backed everything up—actually, I did back everything up—but instead of restoring it, I decided to start fresh. I built a much simpler setup with only a few key elements and worked from there. Now, I plan to do that again, but this time in a way that makes it easier to back up individual elements instead of the entire thing. That way, I can still start fresh when I want, but I can also bring back specific effects or overlays without having to rebuild from scratch.
I think evolving as a streamer is extremely important. If you don’t keep up, you get left behind. The world of IT moves fast—PCs get more advanced, developers push boundaries, new games are constantly coming out. If you’re not adapting, your content can start to feel outdated, and that’s when people lose interest.
As for what’s next? I definitely have plans, but I’m not ready to reveal anything just yet. All I can say is—keep watching this space.
Q11. Every streamer has that ‘why’—the reason they keep going. What’s yours?
The main reason I still hit “Go Live” is to escape reality. The world’s a pretty fucked-up place right now, and sometimes you just need to switch off. Some people go fishing—I could do that… or I could just load up a good fishing simulator and do it on my PC instead. Streaming is my way of breaking away from everything for a little while, and it works.
That said, my motivation needs to change. I know I need to push myself more, improve things, and maybe find new ways to stay motivated. It’s something I’m working on.
If Twitch shut down tomorrow, I’d move to YouTube or go back to making videos. I’m not sure what the videos would be about yet, but I’d find something. And honestly, I’d probably revisit the podcast idea too—it would help fill the void that losing streaming would leave. One way or another, I’d still be creating content in some form.
As for long-term goals, I just want to enjoy it for as long as I can. I don’t want streaming to feel like a chore. As long as I love doing it, it’ll be long-term by default. I don’t have aspirations of being some massive streamer. If that happened, great—I’d be grateful. But that’s not why I do it. Right now, it’s about having fun, creating content, and seeing where it takes me.
Q12. Looking ahead, where do you see RadgeGamer79 in a year? Five years?
In the next year, I want to grow as a streamer and build a community that I’m genuinely proud of. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about having a space where people actually want to be, where there’s good banter, and where the stream feels like a place people enjoy coming back to.
If I could change one thing by this time next year, it would probably be when I started. Part of me thinks streaming might be harder now than it would’ve been if I had started years ago. The landscape has changed, and I do wonder if I’d be further along had I started earlier. But that’s something I can’t change—so instead, I focus on what I can do now.
In five years? I hope I’m still streaming. I don’t have any plans to quit, but life has a way of throwing surprises at you, so who knows? As long as I still enjoy it, I’ll keep going.
If things went better than expected, the best-case scenario would be streaming full-time without sacrificing comfort—maybe even gaining it. Being able to do what I love for a living, without struggling, would be the dream. A better life doing what I enjoy? That’s the ultimate goal.
Q13. If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when you first started, what would it be?
If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice when I first started, it would be “Think before you build.” As simple as that sounds, my stream setup became far more complex than it needed to be, and I wish I had put more thought into making it easily adaptable for future versions. It would’ve saved me a lot of time and frustration down the line.
One thing I wish I had done differently from the start is staying consistent. I took too many breaks, and each time, it slowed down any momentum I had built. If I had just stuck with it and kept streaming regularly, who knows where I’d be now?
If I could talk to “Day 1 RadgeGamer79,” I’d tell him this: “Enjoy the journey for what it is, not what people want it to be.” It’s easy to get caught up in what you should be doing based on other people’s opinions, but at the end of the day, it’s your stream. The second you start doing it for someone else’s expectations, you lose the fun of it.
Would I change everything? No. But I’d keep going with more focus. I’d be more intentional, more structured, and make sure I wasn’t just going through the motions. It’s not about rushing to some end goal—it’s about building something you actually enjoy along the way.
Q14. You’ve been involved in gaming, streaming, and even podcasting. Any new projects or ideas on the horizon?
I’ve been thinking about separating my gaming content from my stream-related product creation—basically running two Twitch channels instead of one. One for gaming, one for making overlays, stream tools, and all the behind-the-scenes content live. I’m still not sure if that’s the right move, but it’s something I’m considering.
As for expanding beyond Twitch, I’m already on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Kick. I don’t feel the need to stretch to more platforms—if anything, I’m working on using them more effectively. YouTube and Kick are just alternatives to Twitch for streaming, but I’m creating exclusive content for YouTube and TikTok. YouTube gets dedicated videos, and TikTok gets its own short-form content that won’t appear anywhere else.
If I could launch one big project tomorrow, it would be a team of streamers—a proper group where we help each other out, collaborate, and appear in each other’s content. Streaming can be a grind, and having a team that supports and elevates each other would make a massive difference.
For long-term creative goals, I’m taking it as it comes. I have plans, but nothing I’d disclose right now. Either they’re not fully developed yet, or they’re too good to risk someone else jumping on them first.
Q15. Finally, what’s one thing you wish more people knew about streaming?
The biggest misconception people have about streaming is that you just switch on and go. There’s WAY more to it than that. Streamers aren’t rich Hollywood actors who get paid to turn up, do a bit, and go home. We’re the lighting crew, the camera operators, the wardrobe department, the cast, the director, the catering team, the promotional team, the social media managers, the hair and makeup team, the writers, the moderators, and even the critics—all rolled into one.
One thing I wish I knew earlier? Don’t stream with Streamlabs. It’s a joke. I get why so many people start with it—it looks easy, it’s all-in-one, and it seems convenient. But at some point, you’ll hit the same wall I did and realize you need to switch to OBS Studio anyway. And that shift is frustrating when you’ve already built everything in Streamlabs.
So if someone was thinking of starting streaming today, my advice is simple: Start on OBS Studio and thank me later. Seriously, just do it.
I think what non-streamers don’t understand is just how much work goes into a live stream. It’s basically the one-man-band version of film production. Sure, the biggest streamers have teams handling their social media and editing, but for the live content itself? It’s all on them. And it’s a lot. Hell, most streamers don’t even realize how much goes into it when they start—let alone viewers who just see the final product.
