I have been running forums, and building them for clients for many many years. And this is what I have learned...
If I were you, I wouldn't start a Gaming forum. There are millions of gaming sites/forums already out there, and the chances of your gaming forum being succesful is very, very slim. If you still want to start a gaming forum, you have to do double the work, you have to work harder then all the other people with gaming forums, because you have to make your forum very unique and very original. You have to stay up-to-date with all the news and updates. Such as, when a very important update has been released, you have to post it on your forum within about an hour, and also post your point of view about the update, and maybe a review.
If you don't work harder then your competition, or don't make your site feel or look original/unique, then your "Gaming" forum will not succeed. First thing I would do with any new Forum, is buy a custom style/theme. A custom style/theme is a theme that no one else has, its built from the ground up just for your forum. That is the first step of making your forum original/unique, and having it stand out from your competition.
But like I said, I wouldn't start a gaming forum, there are just so many gaming forums out there. Actually, when most people want to start their first forum, most of the time they make a "Gaming Forum". Thats why there are just so many of them already.
If you need help with anything, with the forum or the server your forum is running on, let me know. I am always willing to help. Also, if you cannot contact me on WebFlake, message me on Steam. SteamID: TheTechGenius.Net
Good Luck with your forum!