The scoreboard overlay from Keepthescore.com
What Is an Esports Score Overlay
An esports score overlay is a graphical display element that appears on screen during livestreams or recordings of competitive gaming matches. These overlays provide viewers with real-time match information without obscuring the gameplay.
Key Components of Esports Score Overlays
Professional esports overlays typically display the following information:
Team and Player Information: Names of competing teams or individual players, often accompanied by their logos or profile images for easy identification.
Live Score Tracking: Current match score, which varies by game type. In Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), this shows rounds won. In League of Legends or Dota 2, it displays kill counts or objectives achieved.
Match Timer: Elapsed time of the current game or round, helping viewers understand match progression.
Game-Specific Data: Information unique to each game, such as bomb plant status in CS:GO, ultimate ability cooldowns in MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena games), or resource counts in strategy games.
Tournament Information: Event name, sponsor logos, and social media handles when broadcasting competitive matches.
These overlays serve a critical function in esports broadcasting by allowing viewers to track match progress and player performance at a glance. Effective overlays balance information density with visual clarity to avoid distracting from the gameplay.
Creating Your Own Scoreboard Overlay for OBS and Other Streaming Platforms
Keepthescore.com provides a browser-based score overlay solution that integrates with popular streaming software. The system creates customizable overlays that function as browser sources in OBS Studio, Streamlabs, XSplit, and other broadcasting applications.
The platform offers remote score management capabilities. You can delegate scorekeeping responsibilities by sharing a control link with team members or moderators, allowing score updates from any device with internet access.
💡 NOTE: Some features, such as match time or game-specific information are not currently implemented. Please get in touch if you have feature requests.
To create your overlay, click the button below:
After creation, your control panel will display as shown:
Understanding the Overlay Control Panel
The control interface consists of three main sections:
Scoreboard Preview Section
The top area displays a live preview of your score overlay. To obtain the overlay URL for your streaming software, click "Open Display Scoreboard". Add this URL as a browser source in your streaming application. Changes to scores or styling update instantly on the live overlay without requiring a stream restart.
Score Control Section
The middle panel contains score adjustment controls. Any user with admin access can modify scores, even from remote locations. Click "SHARE ADMIN LINK" to generate the control URL for scorekeepers. This admin link differs from the display URL used in your streaming software.
Customization Section
The bottom panel provides appearance customization options. You can modify team colors, names, and upload custom logos. Uploaded logos replace the default trophy icons displayed beside team names.
Note that advanced customization features may require a pro membership in the future.
💡 NOTE: The overlay cannot currently be controlled via a chatbot. If this is something you'd like, please get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a web-based esports score overlay?
A web-based esports score overlay is a browser-based graphical element that displays real-time game statistics during competitive matches. Being web-based means it requires only an internet connection and works across all devices without software installation.
What information can the overlay display?
The overlay displays team names, player identifiers, current scores, and match progression data. The specific information shown can be customized based on your streaming needs.
How do I customize the overlay appearance?
Customization options include changing team colors, uploading team logos, and modifying team names through the control panel's setup section.
Is the overlay compatible with all esports games?
The overlay is game-agnostic and works with any competitive game. Since the system uses manual score input, it adapts to any scoring format or game type.
How do I integrate the overlay with my stream?
Integration depends on your streaming software. Generally, you add a new browser source to your scene and input the overlay URL. OBS Studio, Streamlabs, and XSplit all support browser sources natively.
Does the overlay update in real time?
Yes, the overlay updates instantly when scores change. All viewers see updates simultaneously without stream delay or manual refresh requirements.
How does the overlay obtain match data?
Score data requires manual input through the control panel. The system does not automatically fetch data from game APIs or match servers.
Can casual streamers use this overlay?
The overlay suits all streaming levels, from professional esports broadcasts to casual gaming sessions. No technical expertise or professional equipment is required.
💡 One more thing Do you require a leaderboard instead? Then check out this post: how to add a leaderboard to your OBS stream.
📺 Looking for traditional sports overlays? Check out our guides for basketball scoreboards and football scoreboards in OBS.
