The Tool Desk
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Set up a visible scene for game changes
A holding scene gives viewers something intentional to watch while a game closes, loads, or changes resolution. It is an application of OBS’s scene-and-source workflow, not a fix for every possible cause of black output. OBS lets you combine sources into scenes and switch between different layouts as your stream changes (OBS Studio Overview; Sources Guide).
- Create a holding scene: In OBS, add a scene and give it a clear name, such as “Changing games.”
- Add something visible: Add an image, color source, or text that remains on screen during the handoff. Check that it fills the intended canvas and is not hidden behind another source.
- Keep game scenes distinct: Make a clearly named scene for each game, with its relevant game capture and layout. This makes it easier to choose the intended destination rather than editing the live composition during a switch.
OBS displays sources in layer order: a source higher in the list can obscure one below it. If the holding image or text does not appear, inspect the source visibility and order in that scene.
Switch scenes without exposing the game-loading gap
- While game A is still showing, switch the live output to the holding scene before closing or changing games.
- Open or load game B and select its scene in OBS.
- If you use Studio Mode, inspect the game B scene in Preview before sending it to the live output. Studio Mode separates the preview from the live view, so you can check the destination scene first (OBS Studio Overview).
- Use the selected transition to take game B live. Rehearse the sequence—game A → holding scene → game B—before streaming.
Choose Cut or Fade
| Transition | What viewers see | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Cut | The output changes immediately to the destination scene. | Use it for a direct handoff when the next scene is ready. |
| Fade | The output blends gradually between scenes for the configured duration. | Use it when a brief visual blend suits the pacing. Check the transition duration in OBS and rehearse it. |
Both transitions depend on the destination scene having visible output. A Fade cannot make a missing or non-working game capture source appear.
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Troubleshoot a black screen that persists
First determine whether the black screen is limited to the transition or continues after the destination scene should be live. Then check the scene and its sources:
- Wrong scene on the live output: Confirm that the intended game scene, rather than an empty scene or the holding scene, is live. In Studio Mode, make sure you have sent the scene from Preview to the live output.
- A source is hidden or covered: Check the visibility controls and layer order. A source above the game capture can obscure it; a hidden game source cannot show the game.
- The capture source is not receiving the game: Check that the game-capture source is present in the selected scene and is actually receiving the game. The correct fix depends on your operating system, game, and capture method; there is no single capture setting established for all setups.
- The handoff has not been rehearsed: Test the exact game A → holding scene → game B path in Preview or a local recording. Verify that the holding source stays visible and that the next game appears when expected.
OBS recommends working out kinks and performance issues ahead of a live stream. YouTube’s guidance identifies gaming as a common livestream use and directs creators to YouTube Studio for live-stream setup; console-native streaming may offer different controls from OBS (OBS Studio Overview; Get started with live streaming; Manage your live stream).
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Use a Stream Deck only if you want physical controls
OBS scene buttons or hotkeys are enough to run this workflow without buying hardware. A Stream Deck is an optional way to trigger prepared controls: Elgato documents OBS actions for selecting scenes and transitions, among other controls (Elgato’s OBS Studio integration; Stream Deck OBS Studio plugin). It can make a scene change convenient, but it does not replace a correctly configured scene or repair a game-capture source that is not working.
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