I dont know if this was posted - I didn't see anything...
Welp, it's like esports is getting its 15min again on TV - this time it's about the coverage that eSpn2 did for the HotS tourney that DAY9/Tasteless/Artosis casted
This guy rips into the network and the games and nerds in general.
Hopefully this kind of coverage continues so that more people know that there are people who take video games seriously and are not being ironic when they say that they want to watch video game tournaments. This guy is probably getting so much hate mail right now that he must be like "THere are a lot of people on the internet, I guess".
I think it's up to the community as a whole (esports) to try to raise awareness to this guy's POV since it's probably the cultural standard in the realworld outside of the internet. A lot of companies cannot possibly know what they're missing out on - i think if this guy's ridiculous video gets more coverage, people will be incensed to do something about it.
Although, I guess there are a lot of trolls out there that will want to spin this and talk about how video games are really misogynist. It's like an opportunity for that to come up again - but still, if people talk more about this, it will get some kind of discussion going. I hope there are people who are ready to stand up and talk about esports is on a front-stage stage like ESPN or other real media.
Personally, I dont get how HotS got ESPN2 coverage while there are a bunch of bigger MOBA games out there. But oh well, it's something.
Colin Cowherd is a luddite and a douche nozzle. He's also just reaching for ratings cause he knows it'll rile up idiots. ESPN has been showing video games, MtG, paintball, etc. for over a decade. They had a whole show dedicated to Madden. It's the same thing people said when they first started covering WSOP, until they realized the WSOP was bringing in tons of viewers.
Also, he isn't particularly knowledgable about mainstream sports either. He's just an extremely skilled talker.
FWIW, Michelle Beadle (another host) enjoyed it.
Personally, I dont get how HON got ESPN2 coverage while there are a bunch of bigger MOBA games out there. But oh well, it's something.
Colin Cowherd is one of quite a few espn radio show hosts who basically get paid to complain about everything and say whatever the heck he wants. I wouldn't take him too seriously.
Haha I must admit, all those sound bites must sound so stupid if you don't avidly play video games.
Also keep in mind, people like Cowherd are paid to have opinions even on stuff they don't know or care about just to fill up LOTS of radio talking time every single day...
On April 28 2015 16:40 negativedge wrote: I had no idea this happened
Which is kinda sad I guess.
If eSports ever wants to get into the realm of meatSports, it will have to start communicating with each sector to amass its resources into a bigger whole that can raise awareness for its events.
Another problem is that eSports is becoming more alike to the fighting game community which supports misogyny and match fixing. The latter happening recently with MKP. MeatSports personalities will deride on eSports athletes if we cant get things together.
I mean, something is wrong if I didn't know this was on TV. I'm a sports guy. I'm an esports guy. I follow multiple games. If they don't have me, who do they have? There is no way in hell I would have missed tastosis on ESPN if I knew.
Anyway, Colin Cowherd is one of those endless sports radio blowhards who exist solely for you to hate them. He is worthless, and his job is worthless. He and his ilk are a blight on the sports world and no one who is serious about anything involving sports has ever listened to him.
On April 28 2015 16:40 negativedge wrote: I had no idea this happened
Which is kinda sad I guess.
If eSports ever wants to get into the realm of meatSports, it will have to start communicating with each sector to amass its resources into a bigger whole that can raise awareness for its events.
Another problem is that eSports is becoming more alike to the fighting game community which supports misogyny and match fixing. The latter happening recently with MKP. MeatSports personalities will deride on eSports athletes if we cant get things together.
First try to fix your OP. Artosis/Day9/Tasteless never casted a HON tournament and HON was never on ESPN.
And second, when did "esports support misogyny and match-fixing" ?
On April 28 2015 16:58 negativedge wrote: I agree wholeheartedly.
I mean, something is wrong if I didn't know this was on TV. I'm a sports guy. I'm an esports guy. I follow multiple games. If they don't have me, who do they have? There is no way in hell I would have missed tastosis on ESPN if I knew.
Anyway, Colin Cowherd is one of those endless sports radio blowhards who exist solely for you to hate them. He is worthless, and his job is worthless. He and his ilk are a blight on the sports world and no one who is serious about anything involving sports has ever listened to him.
Do you have twitter? I really think it's now the best (or easiest) way to get news (until we have some sort of EeSPN).
OP needs to be fixed. This isn't mainstream news, it's sports radio.
And it's one of those ironic things where the host is criticizing it but providing more attention by covering it at all. As they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity and this is getting worse treatment from other radio personalities who completely ignore it and won't mention it at all.
@people saying it isn't "news" its on the radio, but isn't the call in show shown on TV? Pretty sure its just a phone in tv show which is still better than being a youtube or skype show, so imo it still classifies as main stream tv?
I've never understood why people on here want to even have eSports on TV. As HotD showed, TV only makes it worse than streaming due to having to have a worse UI, and stupid exclusivity deals where most of the world is locked out of watching the event (HotD was only aired in the US and Canada, for those with cable TV or however it works for them).
The argument that it will increase the viewer base meaning more money for prizes/better production etc doesn't really convince me, because even though they got some people watching that wouldn't have, how many of those will actually watch long term when they otherwise have no interest in video games? I can't imagine it would be that many, certainly not more than they'd lose from actual fans of the game due to issues like not being able to watch at all, or finding it annoying at the huge lack of information.
Then there's the fact that the actual target demographic of eSports is moving further and further away from actual TV, preferring downloading, TV on demand like Netflix/iPlayer etc on the internet more and more, and pretty much everyone who is interested in eSports already watches stuff on Twitch anyway (which is also now available on consoles afaik).
All this was IMO was Blizzard spending some money to advertise their new game, while annoying actual fans of the game by either not allowing a large portion of them outside the US/CA (or those without cable) to watch the tournament live (I think they're doing a rebroadcast on Twitch or something?) or having them watch a super low quality stream of it with a UI that lacked important information (imagine watching SC2 with no mini-map when there's action happening in multiple places on the map).
Personally I'd prefer it if eSports (the games I actually enjoy anyway :p) stayed away from TV, sticking with stuff like Twitch instead.
Esports should start a campaign, turn of ad block or we will be on TV only with 15 minute commercials or behind a paywall. Though Events have enough downtimes so the commercials wouldn't matter. But everything is reaching into streaming services, so I find it funny that Esport tries to jump on TV. Especially if the only way will be to abandon streaming. (TV wants viewers back not more switching) I can understand it from a short sighted business standpoint though!
On April 28 2015 19:15 FeyFey wrote: Esports should start a campaign, turn of ad block or we will be on TV only with 15 minute commercials or behind a paywall. Though Events have enough downtimes so the commercials wouldn't matter.
So commit suicide? Seems smart =P
He's a sports shock jock, his job is to say retarded shit and stir the pot.
There's no need for esports to be on TV. It's cute, but the only purpose it serves is if you want to pat yourself on the back, if you need some sort of validation. "Look it's on TV! It's real guys!" As if TV makes something real. I'm pretty sure everyone here knows its real. We don't need TV to prove that, you don't need some quasi validation for one of your interests. If you enjoy watching esports that's all there is to it, be happy and enjoy that shit. You don't need a thumbs up from the cool kids club to tell you it's all right.
If anything TV is a step backwards. The world is moving this direction. Video games, esports, streaming, twitch has 4th highest traffic on the internet. Whether some blowhard likes it or not sooner or later all that shit is going to end up over here, it's inevitable.
Khaldor was once asked what he thought about e-sports being shown on TV on his stream and he said something along the lines of, "We don't need TV we already have Twitch" which I wholeheartedly agree with. The power that traditional TV still holds over advertising and viewership remains stronger than Twitch but there is no need to seek some form of legitimacy through e-sports being shown on TV. Twitch is the platform where e-sports will be fostered and find a receptive audience not ESPN. And as mainstream e-sports grows Twitch will only grow which is the trend currently, so why should they show a video game to an audience who probably don't like the type of game HotS is, let alone competitively?
As for Cowherd (his last name bwhaha) he sounds like a super sensationalist type on par with Bill O'Reilly except for sports. If he wants to criticize the tournament fine, but don't put down an entire community along with it.
I watched it live when it aired, and even though I've never played hots, and the teamfights looked retarded, I enjoyed it. Being from Arizona, I really wanted ASU to win. Kinda cool that UC had EGSuppy on their team. Made the loss more bearable lol. Anyway, the production was very good, but I think we as a community are going to have a problem going mainstream because a lot of these games are so absurdly complicated under the surface, that the nuance of every decision will be lost on most people.
On April 28 2015 16:09 Jibba wrote: Colin Cowherd is a luddite and a douche nozzle. He's also just reaching for ratings cause he knows it'll rile up idiots. ESPN has been showing video games, MtG, paintball, etc. for over a decade. They had a whole show dedicated to Madden. It's the same thing people said when they first started covering WSOP, until they realized the WSOP was bringing in tons of viewers.
Also, he isn't particularly knowledgable about mainstream sports either. He's just an extremely skilled talker.
Personally, I dont get how HON got ESPN2 coverage while there are a bunch of bigger MOBA games out there. But oh well, it's something.
Cause Blizzard paid $$$$$$.
this is a good post. Cowherd is the king of clickbait shit.
there was something on the news recently (I didn't actually see it) but I was watching and they talked about professional video games and all the sudden I saw incontrol on my tv. It's still kind of surreal seeing that haha
All publicity is good publicity, check. Advertising tournaments to a bigger audience can get more thinking about trying out the game. It's the growth of the player base (continued growth) that matters here, not converting people that already like watching football/baseball/basketball/hockey into watching video games.
On April 28 2015 18:40 Luiwtf wrote: I've never understood why people on here want to even have eSports on TV. As HotD showed, TV only makes it worse than streaming due to having to have a worse UI, and stupid exclusivity deals where most of the world is locked out of watching the event (HotD was only aired in the US and Canada, for those with cable TV or however it works for them).
The argument that it will increase the viewer base meaning more money for prizes/better production etc doesn't really convince me, because even though they got some people watching that wouldn't have, how many of those will actually watch long term when they otherwise have no interest in video games? I can't imagine it would be that many, certainly not more than they'd lose from actual fans of the game due to issues like not being able to watch at all, or finding it annoying at the huge lack of information.
Then there's the fact that the actual target demographic of eSports is moving further and further away from actual TV, preferring downloading, TV on demand like Netflix/iPlayer etc on the internet more and more, and pretty much everyone who is interested in eSports already watches stuff on Twitch anyway (which is also now available on consoles afaik).
All this was IMO was Blizzard spending some money to advertise their new game, while annoying actual fans of the game by either not allowing a large portion of them outside the US/CA (or those without cable) to watch the tournament live (I think they're doing a rebroadcast on Twitch or something?) or having them watch a super low quality stream of it with a UI that lacked important information (imagine watching SC2 with no mini-map when there's action happening in multiple places on the map).
Personally I'd prefer it if eSports (the games I actually enjoy anyway :p) stayed away from TV, sticking with stuff like Twitch instead.
I don't follow HOTS at all but I think you're being hipster about this. Blizz is dumping THEIR money (not yours) into increasing the popularity and legitamacy of their game and you're somehow against it?
But yes if they didn't restream it and instead kept it 100% exclusive to US and Canada it's not the right move.
i have to agree with cowherd. blizzard forced their way onto the network with a game that has very little support even in the esports world. ESPN would have never aired something like this unless it was a sunday night timeslot with NBA playoffs airing on a competing network.
On April 28 2015 16:17 Karis Vas Ryaar wrote: Colin Cowherd is one of quite a few espn radio show hosts who basically get paid to complain about everything and say whatever the heck he wants. I wouldn't take him too seriously.
Blizzard has a deal with ESPN I think.
pretty much hit the nail on the head. ESPN has characters and he's one of them. complain complain complain about everything. He does the same stuff in other sports just to rile people up.
the Ironic thing about it all is that the entire broadcast and esports in general has taken all of its cues from sports broadcasting on how to run a show. They have a play by play guy and an analysis. guy in the both commentating on whats going on.
It was a perfect play by everyone involved. Blzzard got to be on television and espn got free programming on its second network that could attract a completely different audience as well as appeal to its base while competing with content that their competitors paid a ton of money for. Espn got a lot of press and social media attention for content that didn't cost them a dime. I would be surprised if they released the nelson ratings but at the very least its a step in the door with the perfect network for esports to get on television. Esports and espn2+3 was made in heaven for eachother.
The part in the video where he called the HotS game a "league of legends battle" honestly made me more mad than I should have gotten. Like wtf how ignorant can you be? Blizzard doesn't even own LoL!
On April 28 2015 22:01 Ayaz2810 wrote: I watched it live when it aired, and even though I've never played hots, and the teamfights looked retarded, I enjoyed it. Being from Arizona, I really wanted ASU to win. Kinda cool that UC had EGSuppy on their team. Made the loss more bearable lol. Anyway, the production was very good, but I think we as a community are going to have a problem going mainstream because a lot of these games are so absurdly complicated under the surface, that the nuance of every decision will be lost on most people.
Honestly, I bet you'd find even more absurdly complicated nuances in traditional sports that most people miss. I bet 9/10 people that watch American Football don't know what type of defensive play was run unless announcers bring it up. Much less why the decision was made.
TV is a dying medium, I don't see how this matters at all. The currently rising generation doesn't get their news from TV, they don't watch movies or shows on TV, they don't watch sports or esports on TV, and when they are in their 50s and their children are growing up TV will be more or less "empty" with nothing but reality TV and ads for the most part. It's not far off that now.
On April 28 2015 18:40 Luiwtf wrote: I've never understood why people on here want to even have eSports on TV. As HotD showed, TV only makes it worse than streaming due to having to have a worse UI, and stupid exclusivity deals where most of the world is locked out of watching the event (HotD was only aired in the US and Canada, for those with cable TV or however it works for them).
The argument that it will increase the viewer base meaning more money for prizes/better production etc doesn't really convince me, because even though they got some people watching that wouldn't have, how many of those will actually watch long term when they otherwise have no interest in video games? I can't imagine it would be that many, certainly not more than they'd lose from actual fans of the game due to issues like not being able to watch at all, or finding it annoying at the huge lack of information.
Then there's the fact that the actual target demographic of eSports is moving further and further away from actual TV, preferring downloading, TV on demand like Netflix/iPlayer etc on the internet more and more, and pretty much everyone who is interested in eSports already watches stuff on Twitch anyway (which is also now available on consoles afaik).
All this was IMO was Blizzard spending some money to advertise their new game, while annoying actual fans of the game by either not allowing a large portion of them outside the US/CA (or those without cable) to watch the tournament live (I think they're doing a rebroadcast on Twitch or something?) or having them watch a super low quality stream of it with a UI that lacked important information (imagine watching SC2 with no mini-map when there's action happening in multiple places on the map).
Personally I'd prefer it if eSports (the games I actually enjoy anyway :p) stayed away from TV, sticking with stuff like Twitch instead.
I don't follow HOTS at all but I think you're being hipster about this. Blizz is dumping THEIR money (not yours) into increasing the popularity and legitamacy of their game and you're somehow against it?
But yes if they didn't restream it and instead kept it 100% exclusive to US and Canada it's not the right move.
Huh, it's hipster to want eSports to be viewable by everyone, and with all necessary information easily available?
Ok then, if that means I'm a hipster, I'm fine with that.
On April 29 2015 06:58 Birdie wrote: TV is a dying medium, I don't see how this matters at all. The currently rising generation doesn't get their news from TV, they don't watch movies or shows on TV, they don't watch sports or esports on TV, and when they are in their 50s and their children are growing up TV will be more or less "empty" with nothing but reality TV and ads for the most part. It's not far off that now.
Except that won't happen for the next 50 years and most of the world doesn't have internet access (or good speeds) yet.
On April 28 2015 16:09 Jibba wrote: Colin Cowherd is a luddite and a douche nozzle. He's also just reaching for ratings cause he knows it'll rile up idiots. ESPN has been showing video games, MtG, paintball, etc. for over a decade. They had a whole show dedicated to Madden.
just to add to your point about Madden.
ESPN's NFL Film's Presents: a giant national tournament based on a 1988 NFL Football video game
ESPN will always have video game content. Learn To Love it.
EPT
