The DOA Tourney/Stream Commentator Thread

[b-bombs]

There's been a lot of talk lately about stepping up our DOA commentary game across the community so that more of us can perform with the best of the best and DOA5U gets a higher profile in larger and larger events around the world.

Here's a place where we can all discuss what we'd like to see/hear out of commentary during tourneys and streams and even seek out help and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism from our colleagues about our commentary.

Let's keep it all positive and fun, and help the community grow as a whole so we have the most exciting, hilarious, intelligent, and insightful commentary in the entire FGC.

 

[iHajinShinobi]

I know the few times I've recently tried commentary, I was gawd awful, LOL!

But, I have the game knowledge so we need someone with that on mic in SoCal. So I've gotta practice somehow. I was thinking that I may watch archives/youtube "tournament" matches of DOA and/or SSF4, and practice self-commentary that way.

So, I will try to be a commentator for technical play, while someone else is the hype.

 

[BloodBurger]

All for this. The area we're weak right now is commentary.

Either we've got personalities that don't know the game well enough to commentate technically, or we have technical guys that would rather just play. Which is fine.

My biggest issue is focus. Commentators have to focus on the match and be informative. Joking around is cool, and keeps it light which is good, but the focus has to be what's happening on screen.

And also, high energy. People don't want to watch a match if the commentators seem bored.

 

[b-bombs]

Maybe to start we gotta make an effort to have a combination of the personality person teamed up with the technical person. At least we start with a balance there. Have the personality just stay hyped about the game, and just defer to the tech guy when he needs to make a comment. OR even use the stream as an excuse to step up the knowledge of the personality/hype people. A hype personality can use the match being played in front of them to ask the tech guy to explain what just happened in a particular situation or explain more advanced concepts in the downtimes.

The bottom line is that we all just gotta do it as much as possible. That way we all get comfortable on the mic and familiar with all the knowledge and terminology, and most importantly, as BloodBurger said FOCUS ON THE GAME and train our eyes.

Then we keep coming with the feedback so we can see where our strengths and weaknesses lie.

What would be some key things that right off the bad we might want to look out for to be inclusive of newer players yet still keep it informative? (Critical Bursts, Triangle System, etc.)

 

[BloodBurger]

Typically that's how it should go. One tech guy, and one guy who is knowledgeable and hype.

The one advantage that we have is that a lot of people have passed over DOA as a franchise, so we've got an opportunity to teach people about the game. Exactly what you mentioned. The triangle system, what beats what. How stuns work and how critical burst works. And then more specifically, what certain characters can do and how matchups should be played.

 

[d3v]

Mix it up, have a technical guy work with someone who can provide personality. Also, learn from tge best from other communities - UltraDavid, James Chen, Seth Killian, Skisonic and even (or especially) retired legends like Dogface and Rockefeller/Dr. Sub-Zero.

 

[Drake Aldan]

I thought Rabies did a good job at TFC.

I know it is an artifact of radio, but I think just getting a consistent play-by-play would be good, before moving on to adding color or explaining parts of the game. I would love to hear "And the throw punish is good!" (like kicking a field goal...)

I mean, like, even if it's boring and you're obviously just stating things that happen on screen... It makes it sound pro. You know? Like watching something legitimate.


(actually, I had a status about it a while ago, but, I always play VF with the AI commentators on. Though I think I only really like them because they remind me of the commentators from dubbed Iron Chef. "Fukui-san!")

 

[BloodBurger]

I agree. A good commentator is always talking about whats going on on-screen. Doesn't have to be super hype all the time to be good, as long as there's no dead air or off topic discussion.

 

[d3v]

Here's a legendary bit of Japanese commentary with Gama no Abura doing his famous "Umehara ga kimeta" (Umehara has decided/Umehara has settled it) during a GGXX match with Daigo in it.

EDIT: Here are a few more hype commentary moments.

Dogface during the Amir vs BBhood money match.

Skisonic commentating on Justin Wong vs Yipes, in the famous "never over 'till it's over" match at Evo.

Skisonic commentating Clockw0rk vs Yipes at Evp 2010, the last year of MvC2.

Seth Killian and James Chen commentating Poongko running a train on on Daigo at EVO 2011.

 

[d3v]

Super Bonus. Family Fun Arcade 3rd Strike Ranbats from March 3, 2007 with an entire hours worth of commentary from the legendary Rockefeller, aka Dr. Sub-Zero.

The thing about Rock and his crazy conversational commentary style is that he actually knows alot about the game itself. Alot of people try to copy the style, but don't have the technical knowledge to back it up.

 

[BloodBurger]

Nice! I'll have to check these out.

 

[Awesmic]

I don't always have the confidence to commentate, but when I do, I'm bringing a voice box and a brain.

 

[b-bombs]

Big event for SoCal coming up tomorrow. Everybody keep their ears open and their thinking caps on for our commentary!! Gonna be a fun day!

 

[b-bombs]

It sounded like we got some good responses from our commentary during the Fright or Fight event. But does anyone have any critiques, or suggestions of more they would have liked to hear during the event? Here's the link in case you haven't seen it yet...

http://www.twitch.tv/socaldoa/b/473820770

 

[Requiem]

Trying my best at moments. Even if my voice annoys the shit out myself and my diction isn't the best (that autistic word salad!), thought I did some things pretty well also. Getting the timing right on what and when to say things is hard!

 

[iThe Apprentice]

I think everyone that has been commenting on the matches has been doing a pretty good job of it so far. I like the details you guys give out on the matches & some of the technical stuff that gets pointed out. I wonder what I'd be like If I commentate? Hmmm.