<!--quoteo(post=2064691:date=Jan 22 2013, 07:54 AM:name=ScardyBob)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ScardyBob @ Jan 22 2013, 07:54 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2064691"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Comp play experience does help (just as being a former coach or player is useful for football commentating), but its not the only way. Both blind and ryne do a good job providing color depth and neither play NS2 competitively afaik.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I just want to point out that blind played competitively in NS1 and is last I checked playing at least parttime for Duplex.
<!--quoteo(post=2064685:date=Jan 21 2013, 10:48 PM:name=Omar - The Wire)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Omar - The Wire @ Jan 21 2013, 10:48 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2064685"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Thanks for your recommendation. I actually am familiar with blind and his casting work.
My point was more on the NA side. The dominating casting style is little depth, lots of color.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> I understand the point you're trying to make and it's totally understandable if you're looking for more depth than Hugh and Wasabi have on offer. There are alternatives out there if you're looking to get more meat to your casts, there are some good suggestions in this thread, and I would note you don't need to limit yourself to NA as there is little barrier to stop EU casters from casting NA games and vice versa and we have seen that quite frequently in the past. So don't forget you can shop EU too.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MygAhO659j8" target="_blank">UtW vs H.Day</a>
Now I am by no means a professional caster, I am however part of an Australian NS2 clan which is one of the more active NS2 clans, we scrim almost every night so while I am probably not the best caster in terms of colour, I at least show some depth as to why the teams are doing what they are doing. I have casted a few EU games before, its actually not too bad because I only need to get up at 4:00-5:00 am to be up in the prime time for the EU games.
KanehJoin Date: 2012-12-11Member: 174783Members, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow
<!--quoteo(post=2064691:date=Jan 22 2013, 01:54 AM:name=ScardyBob)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ScardyBob @ Jan 22 2013, 01:54 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=2064691"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I find the bigger problem in NS2 casting is capturing the best action. Its a notoriously difficult task as your trying to analyze the situation (to find the best action), move to that spot, and comment on it all pretty much as the same time.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
IMO this is the biggest problem with not knowing the strategy of the game while casting. If the casters don't understand the actions each team is making and the implications, then it tends to feel like they're always playing catchup, instead of being ahead of the action and building excitement that way.
For example, very few times do the casters catch when marines form up in a group of 4 or 5, which implies a strong push toward an important alien location - usually a hive. If they catch it early, they can talk about possible targets, how prepared the aliens are for this and what they have available to counter, and then have the camera in position for the inevitable engagement well in advance.
unfortunately its usually caught only as the fighting starts because they spend too much time on some skulk chewing an rt and talking about how they're such a good team for keeping pressure on RTs, which is such boring filler.
Another example, casters see things on the minimap, and don't know why marines are pushing through certain passages, or that the skulk over there is actually just chewing an rt and not doing anything important. So they have to move the camera over to check, which leads to a lot of wasted time looking at and talking about unimportant/unexciting things.
Comments
I just want to point out that blind played competitively in NS1 and is last I checked playing at least parttime for Duplex.
My point was more on the NA side. The dominating casting style is little depth, lots of color.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I understand the point you're trying to make and it's totally understandable if you're looking for more depth than Hugh and Wasabi have on offer. There are alternatives out there if you're looking to get more meat to your casts, there are some good suggestions in this thread, and I would note you don't need to limit yourself to NA as there is little barrier to stop EU casters from casting NA games and vice versa and we have seen that quite frequently in the past. So don't forget you can shop EU too.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MygAhO659j8" target="_blank">UtW vs H.Day</a>
Now I am by no means a professional caster, I am however part of an Australian NS2 clan which is one of the more active NS2 clans, we scrim almost every night so while I am probably not the best caster in terms of colour, I at least show some depth as to why the teams are doing what they are doing.
I have casted a few EU games before, its actually not too bad because I only need to get up at 4:00-5:00 am to be up in the prime time for the EU games.
IMO this is the biggest problem with not knowing the strategy of the game while casting. If the casters don't understand the actions each team is making and the implications, then it tends to feel like they're always playing catchup, instead of being ahead of the action and building excitement that way.
For example, very few times do the casters catch when marines form up in a group of 4 or 5, which implies a strong push toward an important alien location - usually a hive. If they catch it early, they can talk about possible targets, how prepared the aliens are for this and what they have available to counter, and then have the camera in position for the inevitable engagement well in advance.
unfortunately its usually caught only as the fighting starts because they spend too much time on some skulk chewing an rt and talking about how they're such a good team for keeping pressure on RTs, which is such boring filler.
Another example, casters see things on the minimap, and don't know why marines are pushing through certain passages, or that the skulk over there is actually just chewing an rt and not doing anything important. So they have to move the camera over to check, which leads to a lot of wasted time looking at and talking about unimportant/unexciting things.