TCG Machine and CapCut: use both
TCG Machine and CapCut do different jobs. TCG Machine finds the moments in a League of Legends recording and builds each one as a vertical 1080×1920 clip. CapCut is an editor for finishing a clip, with captions, music and effects. Most creators can use both, and TCG Machine isn't trying to replace CapCut.
I built TCG Machine for my own channel because the slow parts weren't the editing. They were finding the fight and fixing the frame. If you already cut in CapCut, those are the two steps you can take off your plate.
Who does what
- Finding the moment. TCG Machine reads your kill and assist counter on the League scoreboard and opens a clip each time it goes up. In CapCut you find the moment yourself.
- The vertical frame. TCG Machine builds the 9:16 frame, either the facecam split or full gameplay on a blurred background. In CapCut you build the frame yourself, or use its Auto Reframe tool. See how Auto Reframe compares.
- Titles, descriptions and thumbnails. TCG Machine drafts them and you edit and approve.
- Captions, music, effects and transitions. Spoken captions are not in the first beta of TCG Machine. CapCut is the place for these today.
- Posting. In TCG Machine, YouTube can be scheduled. Facebook and Instagram open Meta Business Suite. TikTok is a manual upload.
A simple routine
- Record wide in OBS. Any MKV or MP4 works, whatever the resolution.
- Drop the recording into TCG Machine and review the clips it opens.
- Move the vertical focus in the hook studio if you want to, approve the ones worth posting, and export them.
- Open the clip's folder and import the video into CapCut if you want captions, music or effects.
- Post.
The full version is in the guide on getting vertical League clips ready before CapCut.
What CapCut does better
CapCut is a full editor and TCG Machine isn't. It works with any game, gives you control of every frame, and has a much bigger toolbox. TCG Machine only works with League of Legends today, and it is a Windows app.
What I haven't claimed
I haven't benchmarked TCG Machine against CapCut or any other tool, and I won't claim it is faster or better in general. The numbers on this site come from my own channel. See the build log and editing by hand compared.
TCG Machine is in free beta now. Join the beta or see how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Is TCG Machine a CapCut alternative?
Partly. It covers finding moments and building the vertical frame, which many people do in CapCut. It doesn't cover captions, music or effects, so most creators will use the two together.
Can I edit TCG Machine clips in CapCut?
Yes. Final exports are normal MP4 or MKV video files, the same kinds CapCut works with. Open the clip's folder from the app and you'll find the video and the thumbnail, and you can import the video straight into CapCut.
Does TCG Machine replace CapCut?
No. It takes over the finding and the framing. CapCut remains a good place for captions, music and effects.
Does TCG Machine use CapCut?
No. It is a separate Windows app made by TCG Digital, and it isn't affiliated with CapCut.
Do I need CapCut to use TCG Machine?
No. You can review, approve and schedule clips in TCG Machine without any other editor.
Can TCG Machine add captions like CapCut?
Spoken captions are not in the first beta. Add captions in CapCut or your usual editor for now.
What does TCG Machine export?
A vertical 1080×1920 video for each approved clip, in either the facecam split or the full gameplay layout, in its own folder with the thumbnail beside it.
Does TCG Machine work with games other than League?
League of Legends today. More games are coming.
Is TCG Machine out yet?
Yes, as a free beta, and it's open now: join the beta, confirm your email, and you'll get a key and the download link while places last.