MW3 Commentary Feedback Thread

What I'd like to hear more is the stats of the game, especially as the in-game scoreboard doesn't show any flag captures/plants. If the commentators can just note it down on a pad in front of them; not only does that give the casters something more to talk about, therefore lending more depth to the commentary, it also raises the professionalism of the casting. Also it can't be that hard to watch a few youtube video's (as most top teams have an uploader now) and research their play styles. It gets very boring hearing 'TCM are an aggressive team' - I've heard that since ECL3, why can't you tell me the ways in which they like to push on certain maps. It's not like there's a huge map pool. I believe it'd make a huge difference to the level of casting, because to be frank i'm fairly bored of listening to casters at the moment. I'd love to hear casters as well prepared as certain pc casters such as artosis, tasteless and djwheat but i'm aware that's not going to happen for console at this time. I do think however that the things i have suggested aren't particularly taxing and if i were to commentate at the worlds largest console cod event would definitely do; in fact i would feel fairly embarrassed if i hadn't.

I'd also like to see casters more interested in their field. Now that getting into casting has become harder this shouldn't be such a big problem as previously, yet we still have casters that are 'half-assed' about commentating. I think this is bang out of order, especially when they've had all their costs paid for. You're not forced into doing it, so either you got into it because you enjoy it, or just for the free trip to LAN. Unfortunately, i think that Rel is a prime candidate for the latter, seemingly not caring about commentating anymore.

EDIT: One thing i have also noticed, is that during EGL and other events, casters very rarely comment on the sponsors of the events/tournaments. This is a big thing, as you see on UFC especially (i know it's not a game, but the same procedures apply) every time they go to the prep mat or the corner cam they mention the sponsors. Recognition is surely the only thing that sponsors such as GAME are going to receive, so why not give them that?

I'll have a go at this thing.

@Tunn As with many people I've seen in this thread, a big fan of Tunny. I think what he does and his in game and out of game commentary is good. He used to play, admittedly not at the highest level (but still decent) so he knows the general ins and outs of the game and how it should be played. I agree with Chris though he hasn't got a buddy or someone he casts with a lot and has a lot of chemistry with that he bounces off. He was good with ReL a while ago but since Goochys come along and with Tunny not getting the WGL and I-Series gig he has almost been forced out with nothin to do. Also he doesn't get himself out there enough, which is something I think everyone needs to do (ReL and Goochy do) its not making VLOG but commentating on online cups and such like so people when they watch a game, hear his voice.

@ReL In my eyes has had quite a decline in his quality of casting, I was a big ReL fan back at the start when he first dipped his toes in the pond but since EGL5 it just seems that you've either become a bit disinterested or just almost thought you've got your foot well in the door and you expect to do it so there isn't a great need to try so hard and have a really good go at it like you've got something to prove. The episode at Reflex didn't help as well, but I think you've realised that was a mistake, so I'll move on. But I think if you get back into it, stay away from Goochy for a bit on stream and get back to the old style of commentary then you'll be a really good caster again, in my eyes at least.

@Ben Bowe Has had quite a increase in the scene and is like ReL at the start for me, desperate to do everything and anything he can do. Which is good but sometimes a little too much. I spoke to Ben when he first wanted to get into it and to be honest just sort of told him to get himself out there as much as he could and get his voice known and on peoples radar then he may be considered for EGL. I didn't quite expect it to end up how he has done. But fair play to you Ben, you've put in a solid shift and helped out at EGL6, which won't be forgotten quickly. I'd drop the whole 'KingBenson' and that sort of thing, its not needed you don't need to hype yourself up and gain a alias like someone like Scump. It makes you look unprofessional and not needed.

@Xa BR1C3Y Sort of a shock appearance on the commentating front to be honest, I didn't expect you'd be the sort of guy to do it, because of the person you are you sort of just stumbled in with the helping out at i45 when needed. I think your a good co-caster to someone who really knows what they are talking about (I don't mean this disrespectfully) asking almost dumb questions such as 'So why have they done that?' 'Could you explain why he would block that spawn, what does it mean' ect. I've said this in the EGL chat but I think you need to improve your out of game chat, as the co-caster and almost the presenter style man you need to keep conversation flowing keep the audience entertained and discuss topics during breaks and initiate the analysis.

@Goochhyy is a decent caster. As some people have said, I think you are too similar to ReL in what you do, if thats because you've almost learn from him and obviously you've casted with him a long time I think you've got some improving to do with your in game casting, whether it be you need to play the game more so that you gain more knowledge or what I'm not really sure to be honest. You aren't my favourite commentator to be honest, but you've definitely got a part to play in commentating. What you need praise for his holding the stream up during breaks and keeping people entertained, I think you do it well. Which is something that most commentators need to improve on in my view.

@A_Spec Is a good presenter style role as he has the experience and is valuable to any stream, in game not so much as he hasn't played a lot of COD and that's obvious in his commentary, thats to be expected with someone coming from the PC scene. The current commentators could learn a lot from him in areas.

@Ainsley For me he is good now and again, did a good job with BoA but he has too skills in producing the streams which is where I think he should be. Not that his commentating is bad.

I've said it in Briceys but out of game is important to retain viewers between maps we need some good analysis between maps as well as looking forward to the next map with a explanation on how to play the next map and what they expect to happen.

I've made all the results from past EGLs public so you've got them all, even though the past events I've been sending the commentators them. Hopefully other LANs can do the same, all you guys need to do is sit down for a couple hours and between you make some stats for when your commentating over game. eg when commentating over SK Mak and Tobi never been out of the top3. make a table of players, be in only the top 16. Print out the results use them. Don't ignore it.

I can't say much really that hasn't already been said. What I will say though is that @Tunn is BY FAR the best commentator in the EU scene at present. As Swan mentioned, he gives a thorough yet understandable analysis and his passion for the game itself really transmits itself to the viewer/listener. He should be the first name on the list for any event.

Most of people have already pointed everything I wanted to say but, @Tunn is by far the most professional commentator at moment in EU. I still like A_Spec's commentating and it's like his voice is made for the job. What would be good is to have someone with game knowledge that could probably explain why that player just did that, also to have someone that can talk about the maps and talk about what we probably is going to see and why they will play it that way. I liked Benson's and Briceys commentary at EGL6 but whenever someone got a two piece they got over excited. They don't need to scream for every little thing that happens in the game. And as many people already pointed out is that it might be good to have pairs that you can go after to give the commentators some chemistry together.

I think maybe @Xa BR1C3Y needs a bit more game knowledge but other than that he is fantastic with his enthusiasm and so on.That could also be applied to @A_Spec but I think maybe his flamboyance masks over it slightly better.Also, the @ReL @Goochhyy is far too cringey for me and just makes 2 perfectly good casters look ridiculous as they distract each other. In my book @Tunn is by far the best commentator, his play by play is the best out of anyone I've heard including the american counterparts. He is so fluid and his voice is perfect. He also offsets Goochy and ReL perfectly, restoring them to decent commentators.

EDIT: where did monksy go? he was becoming quite the caster but he seems to have disappeared, bring him back if at all possible.

@Tunn is probably the best co-caster as Mellow stated. His in-game knowledge is very enjoyable and I think more retired players or in extension good players that don't play so much anymore should be brought into casting as they really bring a point of view that will be interesting for the audience.

@ReL needs to step it up. Back at EGL4 I thought he was very good, but since there he had quite a decline and I feel like all the banter he recevied since the Reflex episode has changed him. However I hope he will prove us wrong and show that he is still a very good commentator

@Ainsley I do like to listen Ainsley commentating mainly because he is very calm and his voice makes english sound very smooth and simple for a foreigner. I don't want to listen to people with huge accents commentating anymore because I feel like only english people can understand it. I know it will sound stupid to many but regarding the amount of different nationalities we have at decerto I feel like it's important to point that out.

@A_Spec very professionnal and enjoyable to listen, but sometimes does too much of a show for simple actions or kills that might not be so great

Can't really speak for the rest as I haven't heard too much of them.
Overall I'd say @A_Spec + @Tunn is the best duo atm.

Most of the points I was going to make have already been said so I'll just say this - it's very important when you're listening to a commentator that the reactions from them are genuine, because they understand how difficult/important the play that's just been made was - good commentators shouldn't have to feign reactions, and feigned reactions just end up ruining commentary in my opinion.

josh and kerry doing the tour

But seriously you and riddlez were good (analysis wise), need to watch some more though.