It has been a while since I last blogged on TL and now, with the wrap up of WCS Season 2, it feels like the right time for another.
I’ll admit, I don’t know anywhere near the level of detail my fellow broadcasters have about Starcraft 2, but what I lack in knowledge, I hopefully make up for (a little) with passion for the game, the players and the community. Honestly, I’ve not felt like this about a game for a long time. I do commentate on a lot of games and host tournaments for all manner of genre and overall, I guess I’m just a gamer/esports nerd who loves it all, but sometimes a game comes along that just grabs you by the balls and wont let go, even if you wanted to, you can’t abandon it. Starcraft 2 is that game.
I’m not a great player of the game (hellbat drops ftw!), nor do I pretend to understand the ultimate complexities that the top players seem to unravel with ease. But there is something magical about watching Starcraft, something I just can’t put my finger on, but ultimately something that fills me with adrenaline and makes the hairs on my neck stand up when I see a great play or get ready to watch two amazing players take each other on.
WCS Season 2 was an incredible experience for me as a host. To be involved, even if only on the fringes of this amazing community, was awesome. I got to watch, first hand, some incredible games this weekend. How can we ever forget MC v Jaedong? Game 1 was insane, but then game 2 went and topped it. And just when I thought it wasn’t possible to beat that, Scarlett and Bomber gave us another classic. The matches were just electric.
We also witnessed the downfall of Innovation to Naniwa and the same Swede picking off his WCS Europe nemesis Duckdeok. Until he met Bomber in the semi finals, Taeja looked unstoppable and let’s not forget Scarlett also took out Maru.
In the end, we got the “Bridesmaid Final” between Bomber and Jaedong. The popular Evil Genius player had the crowd support for sure, but Bomber was simply ruthless, even bringing out the triple bunker play he’d saved for use against Scarlett, that he didn’t need.
I thoroughly enjoyed WCS Season 2 finals and I know a lot of you did too. Sure, the final was a bit of a let down (especially for poor JD), but the experience, the other matches and hopefully the show helped everyone in the crowd and especially those who couldn’t be there, appreciate the game and the players.
From the production side, it wasn’t perfect but without wishing to blow our own trumpet, I think we did a bloody good job as a team of people to deliver a great show. Certainly from the feedback, the majority of you really enjoyed it. We can always improve though and I know it’s not just me that is “never happy” with it, we have many people who want to always improve, no matter what the level.
Part of my love for this game is the community. I don’t think I have ever been accepted in to a gaming community so easily or with such affection and whilst this might sound a bit cheesey, I really do appreciate it.
I want to thank all of you for tuning in over the entire season of WCS and thanks for the comments, not just the nice ones, but all of them. We do read feedback and we do implement changes where it is possible to do so. I'm also happy to have gotten through the weekend without dropping anything
You guys did a great job this weekend. However you do have to work on that winning ceremony. Bomber looked completely lost and seemed to have no idea what to do after he won.
It was certainly one of the better tournaments. The later stages left a bit to be desired but in terms of storyline it was very good and the ro16 had some of the best gameplay seen to date. Usually a tournament only has one of those sets, but here it seemed like every set showed something new and amazing.
Plus you're the best person in the world. <333333333
Indeed a fantastic job overall. By far the best tournament I've watched in SC II.
The player introductions and the storylines for the playoffs were incredibly well done, just added even more to the epicness of the whole thing.
However, like mentioned before, I also think that the winner ceremony was lacking - after so much well delivered content it felt a bit rushed/shallow. I feel it is unfair to criticise considering I don't really have an actionable suggestion to improve it, but it is feedback nonetheless.
Thanks a lot for an entire weekend of epic starcraft action and high quality production and professionalism.
Thank you for lending your gravitas to SC2, to give the still-young game some much-needed dignity. That having been said, I agree with the criticism of the winning ceremony. I think a short handout to the participating players, instructing them where to go or what to do in the event of a victory might help with getting everyone in the right place at the right time.
As an almost purely Dota2 watcher nowadays I found myself watching a big chunk of the season finals and have to say I loved it. Most games where great, I loved the handcameras, player closeups cought the tension.
The background noise was sometimes a bit loud imo, but overall not really distracting. Only so much you can do when having a tournament at such a busy location. Overall a really entertaining event so thanks for that ( I really only did watch the games so can't say anything about you, ReDeYe or interviews etc.)
Yeah, if it wasn't clearly expressed by my last post, the whole team did an excellent job. But you were absolutely stunning Paul, the way you talk and creates this rapport with the players is second to none.
I will never forget the "bro fist" with duckdeok on the WCS EUR Season 2.
Every single player interview made me think "that guy absolutely loves doing this", and it shows. Also you clearly makes sure to focus all the attention on the players, humbly keeping them as the stars of the show.
Keep up the inspiring work, the starcraft community has gained so much from having you aboard.
Easily the most of a weekend tourament I`ve watched. The only negative was the map vetoing. I got the sense it was meant to be like dota2 picks and bans phase but it`s just really dull. A guy with a clipboard crossing off maps brings 0 hype and wastes time.
On August 26 2013 18:05 Scarecrow wrote: Easily the most of a weekend tourament I`ve watched. The only negative was the map vetoing. I got the sense it was meant to be like dota2 picks and bans phase but it`s just really dull. A guy with a clipboard crossing off maps brings 0 hype and wastes time.
How does it waste time to broadcast it, since it has to be done anyways and takes around a minute or two?
It was greate tournament to watch the whole weekend. And not only that, wcs eu was always greate to watch during the whole season. When i think this is the product of esl, i still cant believe it. The whole team did a greate job and i loved that you had chobra, tod and rotterdam there. Mixed in with the regular greate casters kaelaris, apollo and artosis, it seemed like a greate mix. You Redeye, might not be as good to look at as kaci, but you did a fantastic job :-) Keep up the greate job esl, cant wait for season 3.
On August 26 2013 18:05 Scarecrow wrote: Easily the most of a weekend tourament I`ve watched. The only negative was the map vetoing. I got the sense it was meant to be like dota2 picks and bans phase but it`s just really dull. A guy with a clipboard crossing off maps brings 0 hype and wastes time.
How does it waste time to broadcast it, since it has to be done anyways and takes around a minute or two?
They could easily do it backstage before the intros. It just adds to the already significant downtime between when the match is listed to start and when it actually does.
Must say, you really bring a sense of professionalism to eSports, while at the same time keeping it 'fun & friendly', tux / bowtie was just brilliant!
While the final was quite disappointing (as well as the crowd), the entire production exceeded my expectations.. The casters, the player introductions, the stage setup, from analysis to commentary to who's your favourite superhero, you guys did a brilliant job.
There were WAY too few seats and one of the screens did not work properly (saturday / sunday). Seems to me like ESL really only cared about the broadcast and not the live venue..
On August 26 2013 20:39 Laszx wrote: There were WAY too few seats and one of the screens did not work properly (saturday / sunday). Seems to me like ESL really only cared about the broadcast and not the live venue..
That simply isn't true.
Too few seats was an issue sure. But the problem is anticipating how many will want to watch in a giant gaming convention. There is also the practicality of space and space costs money too.
As for the screens, yes, we lost one on Saturday which was replaced overnight, the one of Sunday (the other one) then also failed. Sadly though, due to the nature of the OHP and requiring a vehicle to lift someone up there, we were unable to change it out on Sunday as the venue does not allow machinery like that inside during the event.
We certainly did care about the people there and it was unfortunate that the area couldn't accommodate more people.
Yay Redeye, HOWEVER don't abadon your FIFA roots you make that game good for the rest of us i like listening to you commentate that! Not everyone can say they have commentated a game of FIFA with Alan McInally!!
Fantastic job on the tournament this weekend! Very well done and the games were some of the best I've ever seen! I'm really looking forward to WCS Season 3 to see more fantastic games. Great job!
Esl production has been amazing. Kaelaris, Apollo, you redeye and funka great and fun to watch with wcs eu and the s2 finals. Artosis done it great aswell. The others should learn something from you guys. I find it very disappointing now that nasl will host the next one.
During all of these this Wcs eu production has been on another level. I really hope all of you will stick together and leave it like it is. Apollo kaelaris funka and redeye amazing stick together dont expand and keep on going you guys are great casters and hosts together
Hey ReDeYe thanks for staying so passionate about the SC2 scene! You bring a lot of excitement to tournaments, and could easily be hosting The International or LoL World Champs (if you already do I'm sorry, I'm out of touch with other games). The fact that you have stayed with us for so long shows that you really care about professional Starcraft, and the shows you guys have produced are helping our scene reach out to more people than ever before (besides the seating at the live venue haha).
Your hosting has been superb. You've added so much to the wcs experience both during the regular seasons and at the season 2 finals. The finals were amazing and I think everyone agrees ESL put on a hell of a show. It was refreshing to see after wcs world finals last year as well as season 1 finals in korea, which were both lackluster production wise. You've set the standard for future wcs events.
Reading your blog puts a smile on my face and it makes me really happy to see such passion. I'm looking forward to season 3. Keep up the good work!
Redeye, are you originally a FIFA player? i am a fringe starcraft 2 watcher, but i really enjoy a nice game of professional FIFA. do you have any links to your FIFA vods? if you want to check out my FIFA vod it's here (it's FIFA 10)
You did a great job and the stream was good. I actually met you a couple of times maaaany years ago when I was a cod2&4 "pro" (as much as it was possible) and you were always an awesome guy.
However, for most people attending Gamescom live it was disappointing. Way too few seats, screens were poorly positioned and died on saturday/sunday. Sound was directed only to the people in front of the stage, the people on the side couldn't hear anything (and the people on one side couldn't watch much either due to the screen dying). Also, incredibly rude and incompetent admins (short beardy guy was pathetic). Obviously this isn't your fault, as you have nothing to do with what went wrong, but I'm just sharing my and my friends' experiences.
Thanks a lot man, you were an incredible host to an amazing event! Your passion for the game has been obvious for a while now, but it's always great to hear (read) it first hand! Cheers ♥
On August 26 2013 17:22 Talin wrote: You did really well. It was the only tournament that grabbed my attention since the end of WoL for more than a couple minutes.
I'm so happy we have extremely talented people like yourself in our community. You were an incredibly important part of the success of the event. Your hosting was smart and professional, truly a class act.
Thank you ReDeYe, you magnificent british bastard!
/edit and in these times of massive negativity about SC2, it's so frickin awesome to hear that you are so passionate about the game! GLHF!
...there is something magical about watching Starcraft, something I just can’t put my finger on, but ultimately something that fills me with adrenaline and makes the hairs on my neck stand up when I see a great play or get ready to watch two amazing players take each other on.
So well said. I wish we could bottle that sentiment up and spread it around. Is SC2 complicated and difficult to master? Yes. Is it fun to watch at the absolute highest level. VERY MUCH SO!!!
On August 27 2013 01:44 mechengineer123 wrote: You did a great job and the stream was good. I actually met you a couple of times maaaany years ago when I was a cod2&4 "pro" (as much as it was possible) and you were always an awesome guy.
However, for most people attending Gamescom live it was disappointing. Way too few seats, screens were poorly positioned and died on saturday/sunday. Sound was directed only to the people in front of the stage, the people on the side couldn't hear anything (and the people on one side couldn't watch much either due to the screen dying). Also, incredibly rude and incompetent admins (short beardy guy was pathetic). Obviously this isn't your fault, as you have nothing to do with what went wrong, but I'm just sharing my and my friends' experiences.
I'm really sorry to hear that and you are right, there were issues with seating people. I don't know who the guys were seating people, they may have been hired in to help, but I don't recognise them from ESL offices. I will raise this with the team and make sure it is in the feedback.
The screen being dead didn't help, but not much you can do when something like that goes wrong on the day
Great job! I remember watching djwheat's shows during the early days of sc2 and he would always talk about this redeye guy from back in the day, but said he was retired from esports now. Then one day I see this redeye guy start hosting sc2 events and was like wait is that the guy djwheat always talked about? You do a great job hosting events!
I can acknowledge his passion for the game. It was really inspiring to see him look completely mesmerised while he was sitting on the stairs of the stage, watching the games on the small analysis screen.
for criticism: after 20:00, we went for a bathroom break, and the gamescom stewards didn't allow us to go back to sc2 as they said the venue was closed... So we missed out on the last games.
And, as has been said before: seating issues, noise pollution (from LoL mostly). But overall: GREAT event/experience. I was standing 20cm behind Polt when he was playing Grubby on stream 2. (Behind the main stage). Unique experience, I still get chills thinking back.
Im sorry, but why is there in this entire post no mention of 1 of the 2 beamers failing and having way too few seats? I know that it maybe was hard to guess how many people would come for WCS, since tickets were only sold for the entire Gamescon, but please acknowledge the bad things aswell :/
Redeye, this might also sound cheesy, but you're the best host I've ever or heard, not only in esports but in just basically everything, we can feel the passion from you and thats what make you incredible.
On August 27 2013 03:37 seodoth wrote: Im sorry, but why is there in this entire post no mention of 1 of the 2 beamers failing and having way too few seats? I know that it maybe was hard to guess how many people would come for WCS, since tickets were only sold for the entire Gamescon, but please acknowledge the bad things aswell :/
If you read the comments through, you'll see I spoke about both issues.
Big thumps up for you and the hole team. You guys put a really great show on. Sadly enough I wasn't able to watch the whole weekend but what I've seen was probably the best sc2-event with some of the best games ever (anybody who haven't seen Invoation against Teja set 3 should go to Youtube right away)
But it was not only this weekend, the hole season of WCS EU was very good so big thank you for that too!
ESL this season has been incredibly on point with the broadcasts, even throwing in some extras here and there in case of deadtime was a wonderful touch.
I agree about map picks and bans, it really doesn't add much unless we can hear what folks are saying.
I certanly spent most of my weekend on the stream. So sad to see Scarlett loose to bomber, that guy just seems unable to smile. However thats not productions fault. Thanks =)
I was there on friday and I really liked it The admins in charge of the seating were a little bit rude but I didn't let that kill the mood for me. I was 100% hype :D
Next time I'll be sure to get you to sign something somehow
It was the best sc2 event so far in terms of downtime and the quality of the games + story lines.
My only issue is after watching The international 3, I am spoiled forever by 0 and I mean ZERO downtime. I understand the need to run ads but I wish there would have been a desk with the casters not casting analyzing and just talking in between games/matches.
The couch was a nice idea, the TV analysis was a nice idea but it was always placed in between downtime. So If I had to rate WCS EU Season 2 finals I would put it at 95% and that 5% missing is the downtime.
S2 was great as a home spectator. Really pulled me back in to watching SC2 regularly again. If I had to list a complaint downtime is the only thing that really comes to mind. Otherwise I really liked everything.
I actually read this in your voice. WCS (Europe) season 2 was hands down the best tournament I've ever watched. It had great games and even better storylines (seeing duckdeok go from zero to hero against everyone's expectations was amazing and not something we'll see again anytime soon). Production was top-notch. Too bad I had to work or I would have driven to Cologne to experience it all live.
ESL actually made MLG look like a bunch of amateurs.
Also, Mr. Redeye, you are by far the best host of any Starcraft 2 tournament. Keep up the great work!
It was a great event with good production(first time no twitch lags in 3 days), good casting and very little downtime. I don´t think that a convention like Gamescon is the best location for such a tournament because of the things that were mentioned like a bit of a "boring" crowd and the lack of space/seats (convention equipment is insanely expensive and i don´t even imagine the price of a square meter at GC).
There was one thing that really bothered me: Team exposition. I don´t know if this is a thing that Blizzard restricts or if the "fault" is by the ESL but if the players would have worn normal outfits a casual viewer would have thought that they are all teamless. The only time the Teams are mentioned are at the start of the game by the casters and even they didn´t do it regularly. Why was it "Teaja wins!" and not "LiquidTeaja wins!" on the big screen. They had this stairway thing, why not bring some "team flags" and hang them up on the side of the boxes. Why not promote the sponsors that make this possible by financing the teams with some screen time at the beginning, like at the start were the name was overlaid put the team and their main sponsors at that.
You both (also Chobra) are amazing Commentators. Chobras style of Interviewing Koreans is so fluent and natural that i was was looking forward to every interview he was doing. Your British way of presenting stuff you nice and kind of naive Questions to the player are also very Entertaining and made you very likable.
As mentioned in many threads, people seems to think that the audience wasn't cheerful and excited! THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!! I was there and the audience was cheering and applauding to every nice move on the Battlefield and to all Players who went down the stairs. Some people want realize that in a Venue like that there is only so much you can do to cancel the background Noise. So installing Microphones in direction of the audience without recording all the fuzzy background noise all the time is impossible or at least not as easy as you may think! Only because no one was screaming USA USA or MURICA FUCK YEAH it wasn't a bad audience! Well it might be true that the German audience is a bit shy but please stop bitching about that.
Small Critic: Not enough seats! Well i understand that no one knows how many fans will be there ( i was on IEM Hannover - disaster) but maybe installing some small Monitors at the outside of the arena would have been nice. Was waiting for 2 hours outside sadly, but i din't had any problems with the guys securing the entrance. They could only do so much!
Thanks again and i hope we will see you and chobra for many more events!
On August 27 2013 23:27 Gonzo103 wrote: You both (also Chobra) are amazing Commentators. Chobras style of Interviewing Koreans is so fluent and natural that i was was looking forward to every interview he was doing. Your British way of presenting stuff you nice and kind of naive Questions to the player are also very Entertaining and made you very likable.
As mentioned in many threads, people seems to think that the audience wasn't cheerful and excited! THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!! I was there and the audience was cheering and applauding to every nice move on the Battlefield and to all Players who went down the stairs. Some people want realize that in a Venue like that there is only so much you can do to cancel the background Noise. So installing Microphones in direction of the audience without recording all the fuzzy background noise all the time is impossible or at least not as easy as you may think! Only because no one was screaming USA USA or MURICA FUCK YEAH it wasn't a bad audience! Well it might be true that the German audience is a bit shy but please stop bitching about that.
Small Critic: Not enough seats! Well i understand that no one knows how many fans will be there ( i was on IEM Hannover - disaster) but maybe installing some small Monitors at the outside of the arena would have been nice. Was waiting for 2 hours outside sadly, but i din't had any problems with the guys securing the entrance. They could only do so much!
Thanks again and i hope we will see you and chobra for many more events!
Size of this event seemed really small. Iron Squid 2 had something like 3.5K places and i don't think there was any empty places. So WCS could do really better i think.
But You did a good job. As always. You should do more questions like the superhero and island thing. It was so fun :p
On August 27 2013 23:27 Gonzo103 wrote: You both (also Chobra) are amazing Commentators. Chobras style of Interviewing Koreans is so fluent and natural that i was was looking forward to every interview he was doing. Your British way of presenting stuff you nice and kind of naive Questions to the player are also very Entertaining and made you very likable.
As mentioned in many threads, people seems to think that the audience wasn't cheerful and excited! THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!! I was there and the audience was cheering and applauding to every nice move on the Battlefield and to all Players who went down the stairs. Some people want realize that in a Venue like that there is only so much you can do to cancel the background Noise. So installing Microphones in direction of the audience without recording all the fuzzy background noise all the time is impossible or at least not as easy as you may think! Only because no one was screaming USA USA or MURICA FUCK YEAH it wasn't a bad audience! Well it might be true that the German audience is a bit shy but please stop bitching about that.
Small Critic: Not enough seats! Well i understand that no one knows how many fans will be there ( i was on IEM Hannover - disaster) but maybe installing some small Monitors at the outside of the arena would have been nice. Was waiting for 2 hours outside sadly, but i din't had any problems with the guys securing the entrance. They could only do so much!
Thanks again and i hope we will see you and chobra for many more events!
Size of this event seemed really small. Iron Squid 2 had something like 3.5K places and i don't think there was any empty places. So WCS could do really better i think.
But You did a good job. As always. You should do more questions like the superhero and island thing. It was so fun :p
Don't forget event was held on Gamescom. First of all space is unbelievable expensive there, second: Tickets! Getting tickets for Gamescom isn't that easy. You should buy them one week in advance and even then it might happen that they don't let you in for hours. And for all 3 days you pay around 30 €. All things you have to concider!
This was my favorite tournament of HotS so far, so I'm pretty sure you guys did at least one or two things right =P. It helped that the overall quality of the games was exceptional (some of which were from players you wouldn't expect to perform so well), which is beyond the tournament organizers' ability to control.
it doesnt sound cheesy redeye ! wcs s2 global finals 2013 is probably one of the best tournaments i have seem so far .. from the production, the insane matches , the upsets , the casters , the crowd+ Show Spoiler +
not as enthusiastic as others but still great !
, the foreigner vs koreans complex .. everything was well done .. loved every minute of it aside from + Show Spoiler +
grand finals series
thanks for the free vods and also the experience you impart to us fans who simply wanna watch inhuman level players fight each other
On August 27 2013 23:27 Gonzo103 wrote: You both (also Chobra) are amazing Commentators. Chobras style of Interviewing Koreans is so fluent and natural that i was was looking forward to every interview he was doing. Your British way of presenting stuff you nice and kind of naive Questions to the player are also very Entertaining and made you very likable.
As mentioned in many threads, people seems to think that the audience wasn't cheerful and excited! THAT'S NOT TRUE!!!! I was there and the audience was cheering and applauding to every nice move on the Battlefield and to all Players who went down the stairs. Some people want realize that in a Venue like that there is only so much you can do to cancel the background Noise. So installing Microphones in direction of the audience without recording all the fuzzy background noise all the time is impossible or at least not as easy as you may think! Only because no one was screaming USA USA or MURICA FUCK YEAH it wasn't a bad audience! Well it might be true that the German audience is a bit shy but please stop bitching about that.
Small Critic: Not enough seats! Well i understand that no one knows how many fans will be there ( i was on IEM Hannover - disaster) but maybe installing some small Monitors at the outside of the arena would have been nice. Was waiting for 2 hours outside sadly, but i din't had any problems with the guys securing the entrance. They could only do so much!
Thanks again and i hope we will see you and chobra for many more events!
Size of this event seemed really small. Iron Squid 2 had something like 3.5K places and i don't think there was any empty places. So WCS could do really better i think.
But You did a good job. As always. You should do more questions like the superhero and island thing. It was so fun :p
Don't forget event was held on Gamescom. First of all space is unbelievable expensive there, second: Tickets! Getting tickets for Gamescom isn't that easy. You should buy them one week in advance and even then it might happen that they don't let you in for hours. And for all 3 days you pay around 30 €. All things you have to concider!
Great job on the season finals, great games and very very good casting and hosting. What caught my attention was THE FREAKING SUN EXPLODING in players eyes, that wasn't nice ;P Also that winners ceremony may have just been a cultural mishap since long since BW days winners in Korea just go straight for the trophy a lot of times, nothing to fret about IMO, maybe could've just told him beforehand GL HF in S3!
EPT
you make that game good for the rest of us 
i like listening to you commentate that! Not everyone can say they have commentated a game of FIFA with Alan McInally!! 
