Problem here is, the shell and the positioning would basically have to be re-done for every event (which would require someone who can program, has the code and willing to edit the code for events).
Actually eywa its simple, you just change the currently overlay that is broghgt into the overlay. Just use gimp or PS edit over it and your good. No other issue. R1CH's program is the best way to cast now. It is simple to use, reliable, stable and you already have a template for your overlay.
Eywa have you actually tried the program before? It is super easy to use. I've injected or replaced the default overlay with mine and works perfectly all you have to do it get someone to make a nice overlay for GC instead of a black bar covering the replay progress. It also helps Sayle when casting, he does not see the replay progress, he sees the ingame time and he can see the resources of both players.
That was me. All casters I think will do the switch eventually, this gives a nice clean professional look to brood war VODs thanks to the help of the TSL, R1CH and TeamLiquid Staff for releasing such a program. It would be a shame for this program to go to waste. Not to mention its way easier to edit. Because the nature of xSplit you cannot change the overlay when your not on the screen being shown to the whole live stream while your playing intermission music or w/e you can edit the overlay when you getting the game started. It just increases the efficient of the cast and stream. Also, on lower end computers where xSplit makes their computer run slower, anyone who has experienced this before will know editing the titles sometimes takes a long time because xSplit is running slowly. Now you remove that annoyance from the streamer and make it more enjoyable for everyone.
As for simplicity. You have an overlay template, it makes the replays spoiler free because the replay progress is hidden, and shows it in a very graphically appealing way. All that is left is a unit and building counter on the sidebars of the VODs to finish the complete casting experience. I'm not sure if that will ever be released I'm looking into it.
The only issue I see with this currently system however is the new and upcoming resolution expander that all of sudden is becoming popular because the SSL. THIS IS NOT COMPATIBLE with resolution expander. R1CH's program requires windowed mode. Resolution expander requires full screen mode. If you try to run both at the same time your computer crashes, I have tried before. If GC was to go the resolution expander route then I can understand but at this point in time there is no excuse anymore for me as a viewer to watch a GC stream or VOD and see a silly black bar covering the replay progress.
All that is left is a unit and building counter on the sidebars of the VODs to finish the complete casting experience. I'm not sure if that will ever be released I'm looking into it.
This is already available as a chaos launcher plugin and I believe hacklebeast has tried a few casts using it (maybe the Ribbon events?). I don't like it though; it shouldn't be necessary for a good caster. I'm also somewhat against having a resource counter, especially in replay casts when the resources are viewable just by clicking on either player's units. I can see a small justification for using one in live games since those numbers aren't available without it, but GC is purely replay casts.
All that is left is a unit and building counter on the sidebars of the VODs to finish the complete casting experience. I'm not sure if that will ever be released I'm looking into it.
This is already available as a chaos launcher plugin and I believe hacklebeast has tried a few casts using it (maybe the Ribbon events?). I don't like it though; it shouldn't be necessary for a good caster. I'm also somewhat against having a resource counter, especially in replay casts when the resources are viewable just by clicking on either player's units. I can see a small justification for using one in live games since those numbers aren't available without it, but GC is purely replay casts.
It is understandably. You have been casting brood war for a good amount time and by this point I'm sure you are veyry knowledgeable of the game unlike me. Other than saying your good enough as a caster so you don't need it whats the counter argument for using it? It gives one more point to talk about when casting, makes the overall video more professional and for a league like GC this is important. Back when Artosis casted the TSL I watched those games when they used this program. Artosis, a BW pro, didn't need mention the overlay like you said to know what he was talking about. However, being the viewer in that situation made it very nice to glance down to get a rough estimate of who was ahead and how they were doing.
As for the program that determines the amount of units and structures that is created by both players is an add-on in wLauncher called StatInfo. However this does not count for tech structures when they are being placed down. So, I'm working with people to see if we can add this program to show in the sidebars of the VOD as there is letter boxing on the sides because of the natural 4:3 ratio BW has. The other issue I have with StatInfo, as I used it before as well and I was the one to tell HB of it, is that it takes up a decent amount of space in the game. Because this method of VODs does not use Resolution Exspander you don't want to have a clusterfuck of information on the actual screen of brood war. As we have limited space so you take that out and replace it on the sides. Its just an Alpha stage idea nothing is confirmed at this moment.
On October 25 2012 03:23 Pucca wrote: Other than saying your good enough as a caster so you don't need it whats the counter argument for using it? It gives one more point to talk about when casting, makes the overall video more professional and for a league like GC this is important.
The counter-argument is that too much information is a bad thing. See: every BW vs SC2 obs argument ever. I don't see how it gives you anything new to talk about if it's just collecting data that you could get by clicking around more. Also, how does a resource counter make things more professional? MSL never used one, and neither MSL nor OSL had any building counters.
stat info is quite helpful but tbh that is a bit nitpicking, if the overlays are nice and the casters are enthusiastic its more than enough -> like sayle says its all from reps so not that big a deal with the info overlay
To each ones own. I personally like the method I have described, Sayle you have a valid point and I wish you best of luck regarding you Round of 2. As well as I still hold to my point I hope GC will get some sort of overlay even if it not the one I have described. It makes the difference in the world to me for some reason.
On October 25 2012 03:43 dRaW wrote: stat info is quite helpful but tbh that is a bit nitpicking, if the overlays are nice and the casters are enthusiastic its more than enough -> like sayle says its all from reps so not that big a deal with the info overlay
Agreed, I am OCD about my VODs so I am an extreme case haha. I like everything to look visually appealing.
Gambit's Cup has always had overlays. The only reason why it didn't from when Sayle started casting is that Hacklebeast had the overlay, I forgot the link to the overlays and never got them back. There will be another overlay for round 2 or possibly the same one.
There won't be a resource counter however, nor will there ever be. I think unit and resource counters to be fairly boring. I don't care what units/resources there are, I don't care what the game looks like at all actually as long as the cast is entertaining. Sure, the cast has to be about Brood War, but I've never seen a cast which has ever been improved by a resource or unit tab. If anything it just causes the game to be less interesting because you know the outcome sooner than otherwise (which is also a bad thing).
On October 25 2012 04:26 Eywa- wrote: Gambit's Cup has always had overlays. The only reason why it didn't from when Sayle started casting is that Hacklebeast had the overlay, I forgot the link to the overlays and never got them back. There will be another overlay for round 2 or possibly the same one.
There won't be a resource counter however, nor will there ever be. I think unit and resource counters to be fairly boring. I don't care what units/resources there are, I don't care what the game looks like at all actually as long as the cast is entertaining. Sure, the cast has to be about Brood War, but I've never seen a cast which has ever been improved by a resource or unit tab. If anything it just causes the game to be less interesting because you know the outcome sooner than otherwise (which is also a bad thing).
Thats completely your call as I'm only one opinion. I would urge you to try however then to use the resolution exspander as it makes gives a better panoramic view for the observer. Best wishes with round 2.
lol, if that's the only reason that there is no overlay, I'd be happy to send it to you/sayle when I get home tonight.
As for the info discution, I think it's very situational. It will be a good thing for some casters, and bad for other, and I wouldn't draw the line at "it's bad if you are a good caster." Just like any tool it takes a certain amount of skill to incorporate it in a meaningful way while not relying on it. I personally think that permanent overlays for units/buildings is excessive, and should only be brought up to save the caster from having to count numbers of units between 10 and 20 (and even then i'm not entirely convinced. With buildings and units over 20 I think it's better to show viewers them directly so they get a picture of the scale. Residues counters could be redundant, but I think they would be a positive, even if just a small one. That said, it's just my opinion. There is no "one true way to cast" that we should all aspire to. If you think a building counter would be cool, then try it. Don't let me or sayle or anyone else deter you from experimenting.
Please forgive any silly errors. I try not to type long messages on this thing because it has a sneaky autocorrect.
On November 01 2012 22:06 Sayle wrote: Any news on round 2? I may potentially be busy on the weekend of the 10th-11th but I can try to plan around GC if it occurs.
Eywa is probably just preparing for some massive news announcement or something..
On November 01 2012 22:06 Sayle wrote: Any news on round 2? I may potentially be busy on the weekend of the 10th-11th but I can try to plan around GC if it occurs.
Eywa is probably just preparing for some massive news announcement or something..
EPT
I sound stupid sometimes 
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