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How much info should be shown in casts? - Page 2

Forum Index > SC2 General
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Char711
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States862 Posts
January 29 2011 23:35 GMT
#21
@slivaz Yeah, I agree . . . at least like that. While I enjoyed the way you wrote that and found it hilarious, it's an overexaggeration. I don't think people are that accurate on the timings yet and there is still a tension (i.e. the previous spoiler DT/cannon thing in an unnamed event/series where we could see it -- remember the clutch lift that no one expected? It wasn't just an automatic, "oh, everything will be fine").
"If you can chill, chill." -Liquid`Tyler "Special tactics." -White-Ra
Dromar
Profile Blog Joined June 2007
United States2145 Posts
January 29 2011 23:37 GMT
#22
Actually, I've thought about this several times when watching the GSL.

My conclusion was that I think they should stick to the resources tab (mineral, gas, supply numbers) and try to stay away from the production tab as much as possible. Good observing can give the viewer information like "how close is upgrade/building X to completion?" and it just seems too revealing to have the production tab open. It basically gives up the players' exact build orders IMO.
Omnipresent
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
United States871 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-29 23:41:37
January 29 2011 23:38 GMT
#23
On January 30 2011 08:32 slivaz wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 08:20 Na_Dann_Ma_GoGo wrote:
It doesn't add suspense or drama if I can't see Health Bars / Production tabs.

It just frigging annoys me more than anything. Not having turned on health bars is the worst. Not making use of the production tab comes right after that.

Just being able to see the production tab means I can follow everything that's going on almost perfectly just from that. Income tab is important too, but just at times not permanently.
And well the situations where I'd like to see the unit tab is rare. I mean I can estimate all the infos it displays anyways. Especially when I know how high the production rate of the players is and... well I got eyes.

Edit:
On January 30 2011 08:19 scion wrote:
On January 30 2011 08:15 Plaxy wrote:
Blizzard gave us these great tools to use not to shy from. Every tab has its time in place to be shown.


These tools are great for analyzing a game.

But if you just want to sit back and enjoy the game, I think there should be some suspense factor to make it exciting.


I really fail to see how that makes things more exciting -.-


Okay... Let me propose an example here:

A protoss player is making a heavy groundbased push against a zerg player in the late-game. You have seen an ultralisk cavern go up and the eggs are taking a long time to morph.

What is most exciting in this case:

a) the production tab is open allowing the commentator to pause smoking his cigar for three seconds to remark that as the ultralisks will clearly be done in 3 seconds, the zerg is in no danger what-so-ever and will in fact be able to win the game in just about 45 seconds. He then proceeds to finish up his newspaper and hands it over to his co-caster who makes a smug remark about Obama's last speech.

b) The commentators are screaming at the top of their lungs as great storms go on top oif the zerg army and the toss pushes towards the third of the zerg, and right as he begins pounding the hatchery, 10 ultras hatch simultaneously, surrounding and stomping the gateway-collosus push.

tl;dr: I hope to god you were sarcastic, but a sarcastic font sadly does not yet exist. From now on I propose that the following brackets be used when statement is sarcastic: [SA][/SA]


A.
I mean this with absolutely no sarcasm. It isn't even close. If you're interested in watching a small portion of the total action at any given time and having no idea what the players must be thinking/planning, you can put an overlay or piece of paper over the top left of the screen. I'm watching to be impressed by the skill of the players, their decision making, and their timing. The production tab greatly enhances the viewing experience.
[That sounded a little rude after I read it. I didn't mean any offense.]

I really don't know what's exciting about your example.
SkCom
Profile Joined May 2010
Canada229 Posts
January 29 2011 23:39 GMT
#24
Personally don't really care, it depends on my mood.
Sometimes I just want to watch the casts as a movie, with as little on screen as possible and just enjoy it, like a sport.
Other times when I'm actually in my nerdy mood I like having all the info possible on the screen, mostly if the casters are talking about different stuff.
blackbrrd
Profile Joined September 2010
Norway477 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-29 23:46:03
January 29 2011 23:45 GMT
#25
I don't really like having too much information, it kinda kills the suspense.

GSL4 finals spoiler
+ Show Spoiler +

It was absolutely painful to watch MKP's stim upgrade finish and then for MKP to wait 15-20 seconds outside MVP's base attacking maybe 2-3 seconds after MVP's stim upgrade finished. I had too much information, knowing that if he attacked after MVP's stim finished he would loose.
DerNebel
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
Denmark648 Posts
January 29 2011 23:46 GMT
#26
On January 30 2011 08:38 Omnipresent wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 08:32 slivaz wrote:
On January 30 2011 08:20 Na_Dann_Ma_GoGo wrote:
It doesn't add suspense or drama if I can't see Health Bars / Production tabs.

It just frigging annoys me more than anything. Not having turned on health bars is the worst. Not making use of the production tab comes right after that.

Just being able to see the production tab means I can follow everything that's going on almost perfectly just from that. Income tab is important too, but just at times not permanently.
And well the situations where I'd like to see the unit tab is rare. I mean I can estimate all the infos it displays anyways. Especially when I know how high the production rate of the players is and... well I got eyes.

Edit:
On January 30 2011 08:19 scion wrote:
On January 30 2011 08:15 Plaxy wrote:
Blizzard gave us these great tools to use not to shy from. Every tab has its time in place to be shown.


These tools are great for analyzing a game.

But if you just want to sit back and enjoy the game, I think there should be some suspense factor to make it exciting.


I really fail to see how that makes things more exciting -.-


Okay... Let me propose an example here:

A protoss player is making a heavy groundbased push against a zerg player in the late-game. You have seen an ultralisk cavern go up and the eggs are taking a long time to morph.

What is most exciting in this case:

a) the production tab is open allowing the commentator to pause smoking his cigar for three seconds to remark that as the ultralisks will clearly be done in 3 seconds, the zerg is in no danger what-so-ever and will in fact be able to win the game in just about 45 seconds. He then proceeds to finish up his newspaper and hands it over to his co-caster who makes a smug remark about Obama's last speech.

b) The commentators are screaming at the top of their lungs as great storms go on top oif the zerg army and the toss pushes towards the third of the zerg, and right as he begins pounding the hatchery, 10 ultras hatch simultaneously, surrounding and stomping the gateway-collosus push.

tl;dr: I hope to god you were sarcastic, but a sarcastic font sadly does not yet exist. From now on I propose that the following brackets be used when statement is sarcastic: [SA][/SA]


A.
I mean this with absolutely no sarcasm. It isn't even close. If you're interested in watching a small portion of the total action at any given time and having no idea what the players must be thinking/planning, you can put an overlay or piece of paper over the top left of the screen. I'm watching to be impressed by the skill of the players, their decision making, and their timing. The production tab greatly enhances the viewing experience.
[That sounded a little rude after I read it. I didn't mean any offense.]

I really don't know what's exciting about your example.

No offense taken. I just watched the OSL finals today and now I really miss the good old days :S
Vimsey
Profile Joined May 2010
United Kingdom2235 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-29 23:50:39
January 29 2011 23:50 GMT
#27
On January 30 2011 08:32 slivaz wrote:

Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 08:24 Vimsey wrote:
I usually fixate on a production tab, but I think that kind of takes away some of the suspense.

If I want to analyse exactly where a game went wrong i can always download the replay so yea spice it up a bit. Also when we dont know everything it makes us less critical of what players are doing and reminds us that players have fog of war.

What is the actual meaning of this statement?! Is this guy being ironic saying "I don't care about the game or even the minimap for that matter, I just want to see the tiny bars complete and then disappear"? Or is he really so emotionless that he lacks the ability to care about the players or the outcome of the game? Or is he just making a contradiction for the jiggles: "I like the little bars, remove them"?

"this guy" here.

You seem to be ranting at the world, I never mentioned wanting to watch healthbars. In fact I was advocating not having as much information. Maybe you should read more carefully and worry less about misunderstood sarcasm.
emc
Profile Joined September 2010
United States3088 Posts
January 30 2011 00:03 GMT
#28
I like production tab and all the things blizzard gave us, because in GSL we don't get access to the replays so the only way we can learn from the pros are through the stream and VODs. Any information we can get like what they are producing at what time, is very helpful for the newbies as well as a the pros who just want to know what the koreans are up to. I don't think builds should be secretive and even if that's not the case, I still don't think there should be any mystery or suspense when you have the option to see what exactly they are doing.

It works both ways, no production tab, etc. brings more drama and surprise, with production tab, etc. you are better able to learn from these guys but also you can theorycraft with your friends as the moment happens to see what they may do and what the koreans train of thought is, to me that's a lot better than suspense.
ch4ppi
Profile Joined July 2010
Germany802 Posts
January 30 2011 00:15 GMT
#29
It depends:

While watch MLG I'd just like to be entertained, though I wish they wouldnt show the production tab, just to make popping collossi more dramatic.

But in little tourneys analytic casts are far more welcome.
Iranon
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States983 Posts
January 30 2011 00:19 GMT
#30
If there were an option for it, I would have voted for hitpoint bars on, but production tab off. That would almost look like we're seeing the game as both players see it, just with vision. Seeing hitpoints makes it so much more dynamic, as in "oh god focus the OTHER medivac, it has like 10 health" or "wow one storm would kill that entire army, great use of forcing stim" or "those colossi are all about to die if one forcefield is misplaced"... Showing the production tab is nice as far as making it easier to follow the game, but ideally whoever's controlling the camera should just watch the minimap and accomplish the same thing by knowing what they're doing. At least in tournament games -- if you're just some guy commentating a replay, feel free to put everything on.
arterian
Profile Joined September 2010
Canada1157 Posts
January 30 2011 00:20 GMT
#31
use of production, income, unit tabs are right up there with good commentary and not missing action as important tools for a caster to have
http://www.twitch.tv/arterian
Iranon
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States983 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 00:21:18
January 30 2011 00:20 GMT
#32
Edit: I'm an idiot and hit quote instead of edit. Sorry!
EliteReplay
Profile Blog Joined November 2010
Dominican Republic913 Posts
January 30 2011 00:30 GMT
#33
but they should do the 1FPVOD for few seconds like in BW, this way we can apresiate how hard is to micro or macro whatever
if play random i can't call any race imba?
Tofugrinder
Profile Joined September 2010
Austria899 Posts
January 30 2011 00:38 GMT
#34
in 90% of the time i'd love to see the production tab. Only some times for checking the resources/income i'd like to see something else. Normally in my opinion the more we see the better it is
DerNebel
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
Denmark648 Posts
January 30 2011 00:43 GMT
#35
On January 30 2011 08:50 Vimsey wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 08:32 slivaz wrote:

On January 30 2011 08:24 Vimsey wrote:
I usually fixate on a production tab, but I think that kind of takes away some of the suspense.

If I want to analyse exactly where a game went wrong i can always download the replay so yea spice it up a bit. Also when we dont know everything it makes us less critical of what players are doing and reminds us that players have fog of war.

What is the actual meaning of this statement?! Is this guy being ironic saying "I don't care about the game or even the minimap for that matter, I just want to see the tiny bars complete and then disappear"? Or is he really so emotionless that he lacks the ability to care about the players or the outcome of the game? Or is he just making a contradiction for the jiggles: "I like the little bars, remove them"?

"this guy" here.

You seem to be ranting at the world, I never mentioned wanting to watch healthbars. In fact I was advocating not having as much information. Maybe you should read more carefully and worry less about misunderstood sarcasm.

I wasn't taking about the health bars. I was talking about the little bars in the production tab that displays the progress of whatever item it is associated with. When an item is completed, it's associated bar disappears. You said you "usually fixate on a production tab". Full stop.

On topic: There is a particular use of the income tab I find very weird. When a player makes a drop or a harasment tactic work, killing around 20 harvesters and the commentators go "Oooh" and "What a great play!", and then proceeds to open the income tab to go "Look at those numbers! He is twenty harvesters behind!", it just seems so redundant.
SilverPotato
Profile Joined July 2010
United States560 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 00:45:39
January 30 2011 00:45 GMT
#36
On January 30 2011 09:30 2GRe-Play- wrote:
but they should do the 1FPVOD for few seconds like in BW, this way we can apresiate how hard is to micro or macro whatever

Agreed, I love that effect when they give a 5 second cut to each players' cam in the middle of a huge battle. It really makes the game seem way more exciting.
"The ability to learn faster than your competitors may be the only sustainable competitive advantage." ~Arie de Geus
Nayl
Profile Joined March 2010
Canada413 Posts
January 30 2011 00:52 GMT
#37
On January 30 2011 08:20 Na_Dann_Ma_GoGo wrote:
It doesn't add suspense or drama if I can't see Health Bars / Production tabs.

It just frigging annoys me more than anything. Not having turned on health bars is the worst. Not making use of the production tab comes right after that.

Just being able to see the production tab means I can follow everything that's going on almost perfectly just from that. Income tab is important too, but just at times not permanently.
And well the situations where I'd like to see the unit tab is rare. I mean I can estimate all the infos it displays anyways. Especially when I know how high the production rate of the players is and... well I got eyes.

Edit:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 08:19 scion wrote:
On January 30 2011 08:15 Plaxy wrote:
Blizzard gave us these great tools to use not to shy from. Every tab has its time in place to be shown.


These tools are great for analyzing a game.

But if you just want to sit back and enjoy the game, I think there should be some suspense factor to make it exciting.


I really fail to see how that makes things more exciting -.-


Really, if you wanted to follow a game that perfectly, you can just watch replay instead of watching a cast.

Production tab really takes away the suspense in my opinion because you can see what's coming before it actually happens. Commentators are focusing on a battle and you already know what kind of unit/upgrade a player is preparing at the back.

It's "fun" to be surprised by sudden appearance of a fleet beacon in the back of the base. It's exciting to see zerg units suddenly flooding in after a battle is over.

I think this kind of limiting information suits better for casual viewers as well.
cyprin
Profile Joined July 2010
United States1105 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-01-30 00:58:20
January 30 2011 00:52 GMT
#38
On January 30 2011 09:45 SilverPotato wrote:
Show nested quote +
On January 30 2011 09:30 2GRe-Play- wrote:
but they should do the 1FPVOD for few seconds like in BW, this way we can apresiate how hard is to micro or macro whatever

Agreed, I love that effect when they give a 5 second cut to each players' cam in the middle of a huge battle. It really makes the game seem way more exciting.



Not sure why they don't do that, tbh. It's not even difficult in SC2.
1c pause 2c
--'

answer to op:
I'd prefer casters to keep resources up and have actually insight/awareness into what the players are doing. Any bronze player can tell you exactly what is happening by what's visible on the screen/production tab, but having someone who can tell you what a players strat is based on the first few minutes of the game [Artosis does this pretty well, as did IdrA when he cast with Jason Lee] is much more exciting to me.

Also in IdrA's group stage game against oGsEnsnare on XNC, knowing that 17 Ultras were going to pop a minute before they did removed any suspense from the match. There was no "Can IdrA's reinforcements crush the army before he gets rolled over?" It was just "IdrA has 17 ultras coming, the game is over."
Keitzer
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States2509 Posts
January 30 2011 00:54 GMT
#39
it's all in the choice of whoever is casting those game... just because a tab is available, doesn't mean we have to use it...

if you don't like it when casters just watch the game instead of utilizing these tools then don't watch them... or get a different caster....
I'm like badass squared | KeitZer.489
Spacemanspiff
Profile Joined September 2010
United States116 Posts
January 30 2011 01:00 GMT
#40
I don't mind a cast adding to the drama by not showing everything if and only if the replay is also available. Otherwise the spectators end up missing a lot of the game. Even when not hiding the casters can't show everything.
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