> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.livehub.gg/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hosting a game

> Run a game on your stream from the launcher

You host games from the **launcher** at [`/launcher`](https://livehub.gg/launcher).
The launcher is your control surface: it's where you pick a game, manage
the lobby, and run the round. It is host-only — your viewers never need to
open it.

## Start a game

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the launcher">
    Go to [`/launcher`](https://livehub.gg/launcher) and sign in. Pick the
    streamer account you're hosting for if you have access to more than one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick a game">
    Choose from the featured row (your recently played games) or browse the
    full catalog. See every option on the [catalog page](/games/catalog).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure it">
    Most games have a short setup screen — category, round count,
    difficulty, and any gift mechanics. Options vary by game.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open the lobby">
    The roster fills as viewers take their first action (or type `!join`).
    Start the game when you're ready.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Play">
    The game runs full-screen on the play surface. Host controls fade out
    so your camera shows a clean game.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wrap up">
    When the game ends, a results card shows the top finishers and the
    session leaderboard. Start another game without rebuilding the room —
    the roster carries over.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Launcher surfaces

| Surface         | URL                                  | What it's for                                          |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Launcher home   | `/launcher`                          | Pick a game, manage the lobby, see results (host-only) |
| Play surface    | `/launcher/play/<slug>`              | The full-screen game, safe to show on stream           |
| Stage source    | `/launcher/stage/<slug>/<sessionId>` | A browser source for OBS / TikTok Studio capture       |
| Leaderboards    | `/launcher/leaderboard`              | Per-streamer and cross-streamer boards                 |
| Player profiles | `/launcher/players/<chatter>`        | A viewer's lifetime stats and achievements             |

<Note>
  The launcher replaces the older `/games` surface. Old `/games/*` links
  redirect to their `/launcher/*` equivalents.
</Note>

## Capturing the game in OBS or TikTok Studio

Use the stage source (`/launcher/stage/<slug>/<sessionId>`) as a browser
source in OBS or TikTok Studio. It renders the game without host controls
or site chrome, so it's safe to composite directly into your scene.

## Tournament mode

<Note>Tournament (Party) mode is in beta.</Note>

Tournament mode runs several short mini-games back to back as a two-team
competition. Viewers pick a side with `!a` or `!b`, the launcher draws a
random game each round, and points are tallied across the match. You can
also run a cross-stream tournament, where one streamer hosts and another
joins with an invite code so both chats play as opposing teams.