Video games are bigger now than they have ever been. It's not simply about how many people are playing, either: entire media networks are based on the idea that gamers want to watch other people play games.

Whether it's to learn new strategies or watch someone funny, more people are watching game footage than ever before.

Of course, it wasn't always this way. Back in the days of the original Xbox and PlayStation 2, the only way to record video game footage was to plug a game console into a VCR and hope that the TV set had the right inputs. Video quality was predictably terrible, and only the most dedicated of fans were able to produce something worth watching.

Thankfully, that's no longer the case: recording a video game is actually pretty simple, provided you know where to start. It's less about finding a workaround that won't ruin your tech, and more about getting things hooked up quickly. Whether it's recording a PC program or one of the current-generation consoles, capturing footage is something that just about anyone can do.

Generally speaking, recording video game footage is split between computers and consoles. One is a bit more complicated (and expensive) than the other, but don't worry — this guide should put you on the right path to capturing your greatest gaming moments.

PC Recording

Recording PC footage is, for the most part, relatively simple. There are several different programs to choose from, including a few free programs for those who don't have a lot of extra cash lying around.

Of course, these are only a few suggestions for getting started: there are a ton of different capture cards out there, so make sure to look around and see which card will fit your needs best.

As previously mentioned, recording and editing gameplay is easier than ever. True, it may take a bit of time, effort and cash, but if you've ever wanted to take a stab at creating your own gaming videos, now is definitely the time to do it!