Official State of the Game Podcast Thread - Page 1810

On November 24 2011 07:38 itmeJP wrote:
I'm going to talk with Hwanni to see if he can go visit some Korean player houses for some interviews and/or full-length shows.

I've been kicking around the idea of a blog centered around my thoughts on 2011 (including growth / whatever of SotG) and will probably type something up sometime next week.

Once again, sorry for poor audio quality in this episode. I'll be back home next Tuesday. Going dark until Sunday so I can spend time with family Thanks for the support, see you guys then!

On November 24 2011 10:49 Exyia wrote:
Does anyone else feel like the whole crew for each episode isn't involved enough? Particularly, it seems 1-3 people are alt-tabbed and wasting time web-browsing while someone is talking. Honestly it looks almost insulting at points - this is a huge show that a lot of people watch, and it looks like the people on it are taking it for granted.

I started to notice with Husky's guest show, and now this one. Husky didn't really say anything until he was asked something directly. And half-way through shows, I start to notice others just trail off and browse the internet - really apparent when they get asked a counter question and they have no idea what's going on.

On November 24 2011 10:49 Exyia wrote:
Does anyone else feel like the whole crew for each episode isn't involved enough? Particularly, it seems 1-3 people are alt-tabbed and wasting time web-browsing while someone is talking. Honestly it looks almost insulting at points - this is a huge show that a lot of people watch, and it looks like the people on it are taking it for granted.

I started to notice with Husky's guest show, and now this one. Husky didn't really say anything until he was asked something directly. And half-way through shows, I start to notice others just trail off and browse the internet - really apparent when they get asked a counter question and they have no idea what's going on.

On November 24 2011 13:41 flowSthead wrote:


As someone who skyped with his long distance girlfriend that he was obsessed with for about a year, I can tell you that it is extremely difficult to maintain your attention on another person talking while you are on a computer for along period of time. There is such a big difference between having someone in the room with you, and talking over the internet, even if the video quality is great. Tabbing into a reddit thread, or typing something on facebook, or whatever, these things are sort of inevitable. It doesn't mean they aren't involved in the conversation, it's just sort of the nature of beast.

And considering Tyler seems like kind of a quiet guy in general, and he will bust in every once in a while with a long point, well reasoned, practically paragraphed point about something, I don't think that's a fair assessment. Incontrol can talk about pretty much anything for a long period of time, and they have had back and forths, and every once in a while he will mention a point someone brought up earlier in the cast, it is pretty clear he listens to what they are saying, even if his eyes are somewhere else. Active listening doesn't necessitate maintaining eye contact, just engaging with what you are hearing.

As for Artosis, well he thinks he's living in Nestea's dream so I would consider him an exception.

On November 24 2011 14:11 Exyia wrote:


Well I guess I left out the second part where I think it's because these episodes are simply too long - and/or the questions/discussions are just stale

I understand what you're saying, but anyone actively in conversation and discussion probably won't be browsing around. I'm thinking back to the first episodes of the HotS units.

All of them were active, and almost interrupting each other. That in comparison to these later ones - I feel like it's too much of a round-table "what's your opinion" vs "what's the issue here".

A fictional, made-up example:
JP - "The Replicator. What do you think of this unit?"
Artosis - "I think it's awesome. This unique unit brings out a whole slew of strategies"
inControl - "I just can't imagine this unit from a balancing standpoint"

JP - "What do you think of Nani's play at MLG?"
inControl - "well I think he's a great player and just demonstrated phenomenal play"
silence...everyone else is browsing around
JP - "Anyone else have any comments? Artosis?"
Artosis - either "no not really", "sorry what was that?" or even he goes on sort of re-stating what was already understood ("Nani is a great player")

Why aren't they bringing up specific strategies? Why not try to create topics? It just feels a little unprepared and some of the cast is just tuning in and giving their input when put on the spotlight. This isn't a round-table interview, this is a discussion

I guess now that I'm typing this, I just feel like the discussion is really low. When it's low, it gets drawn out. When it gets drawn out, people alt-tab. For a viewer, I just get bored and close the episode - for the involved cast, the level of discussion drops, which only makes it worse for the viewers.

On November 24 2011 14:43 Kharnage wrote:

I think you're being a bit harsh when these guys are coming off the back of Providence, which would have been draining as hell for all of them. On top of that the shows lag makes discussion painful, and jumping in on a topic for a small comment almost more trouble than it's worth.

Sometimes they will all agree on a point. The naniwa issue is a perfect example. They know they "have" to talk about it, but what is there to say? It's now a non-issue for anyone who has followed the drama. I'd be more intersted to hear what they thought of the crowd boo'ing naniwa than the nestea / naniwa drama. There isn't a lot of back and forth when everyone with half a brain is thinking the same thing.

I'm glad incontrol is slowly getting off the "protoss is UP" horse. I agree that the results from 1 competition is too soon to conclude "yup, s'all good" but certainly things are looking up for the sad zealot.
I do think the zealot tears will flow once more once terran realises that they have flying units too which are better than mutalisks, and mutalisks are doing great guns vs protoss right now. But I'm guessing that will be the story for January.

Looking forward to getting day9 back and a bit more strategy talk in the show.

Super thanks to all of them for putting the show on regardless of the technical difficulties and exhaustion.

On November 24 2011 08:37 Euronyme wrote:
I'm kind of worried by the fact that was brought up in the middle of the podcast. Media traning, sure that won't hurt anything, but please don't turn this into American wrestling with staged matched for maximum drama and all that shit.