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How to Create an Esports Overlay

By: Gitago
5 min read
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Creating an Esports Overlay

In the fast-paced world of esports, a professional-looking overlay can make all the difference in engaging your audience and elevating your stream's production value. An esports overlay displays essential information like scores, player stats, timers, and branding elements right on your viewers' screens. But how do you create one that's both functional and visually appealing? In this guide, we'll walk you through the process of creating an esports overlay, with a special focus on EsportsDash. A powerful tool designed to simplify esports production and enhance your broadcasts.

What is an Esports Overlay and Why Do You Need One?

An esports overlay is essentially a graphical layer added over-top of your live stream or broadcast. It includes dynamic elements such as:

  • Live Score Tracking: Current match score, which varies by game type.
  • Player and Team Info: Names, logos, and selected characters.
  • Sponsors and Branding: Event Name, sponsor logos, Brand logos, or social media handles.

These items not only keep viewers informed but also add a polished look that can boost viewer retention and attract potential sponsors. Without one, your stream might feel amateurish, but with the right setup, you can rival major esports productions. Tools like EsportsDash make this accessible even for beginners, offering prebuilt templates and seamless integrations to get you started quickly.

Creating your Scoreboard Overlay for OBS & Other Platforms

Esportsdash.com provides a browser-based score overlay.

Before diving into design, select a foundation for your esports overlay. Popular free options include:

  • OBS Studio: A versatile, open-source tool for streaming and recording. It's highly customizable and works well for overlays.
  • Streamlabs OBS or XSplit: Both are built off of the OBS framework, offering user-friendly interfaces and additional features.

To take it further, integrate specialized tools like EsportsDash. This free esports production scoreboard tool streamlines the entire process by providing prebuilt overlays that you can customize for your brand. EsportsDash connects directly to OBS via Websocket, allowing real-time updates without manual tweaks, perfect for dynamic esports environments. For added flair, EsportsDash includes a built-in video editor to trim replays and create highlights on the fly, plus automatic replay triggers from OBS. This all-in-one approach ditches spreadsheets and manual updates, saving you time during live broadcasts.

Advanced Features with EsportsDash: Elevating Your Production

EsportsDash isn't just for basic overlays—it's a comprehensive esports dashboard that transforms how you produce content.

Key benefits include:

  • Free and User-Friendly: No cost barriers, with intuitive controls for all skill levels.
  • Integrations: Beyond OBS, it works with vMix for dynamic graphics and external APIs for custom workflows.
  • Efficiency Boosts: Hotkeys, Streamdeck plugin, and automatic replays streamline production, letting you focus on the action.
  • Community-Driven: Regular updates based on user feedback, plus tutorials to get you up to speed.

Whether you're a solo producer, a small team, a school coach, or running a full tournament, EsportsDash handles the heavy lifting, making professional esports overlays accessible to everyone.

Conclusion: Get Started with Your Esports Overlay Today

Creating an esports overlay doesn't have to be complicated. With tools like EsportsDash, you can produce broadcast-quality graphics that engage fans and showcase your brand. Head over to the EsportsDash website to download it for free and start experimenting. Your next stream could be your best one yet—happy broadcasting!

If you're ready to level up, join the EsportsDash Discord for tips, updates, and community support. What's your go-to game for esports overlays? Share in the comments below!