Idra is 100% honest during a cast, which is something I respect more than false excitement. Idra is player that happens to be telling us what's going on in a far more deeper manner. Much better then OH BOY HE'S BUILDING SUPPLY DEPOTS

Weirdkid

Singapore2431 Posts

May 13 2011 07:21 GMT

#44

Lol the mods really do act fast. Title change for the win

Definitely watch the youtube video of him casting the post for lulz though. It's pretty random

NoScary

United States151 Posts

May 13 2011 07:21 GMT

#45

But seriously, who is Total Biscuit?

nihlon

Sweden5581 Posts

May 13 2011 07:21 GMT

#46

I feel like I'm reading a tabloid.

Demand2k

Norway875 Posts

May 13 2011 07:21 GMT

#47

Objectively, I think TB is correct. But IdrA being the character that he is, makes me interested in his opinions far beyond human-made terms like play-by-play caster and color blabla. We get so stuck up in these terms that we tend to forget we made them ourselves in the first place.

In this case it's sort of like a movie critic seeing a movie that is bad by professional standards, but everyone else loves. Who is right? I'd lean towards the people since that's whom the content is made for in the first place.

Marl

United States694 Posts

May 13 2011 07:21 GMT

#48

Yeah fuck idra, what we need are more commentators who tell me what I'm already looking at. Idra's voice may not be exciting, but the fact that I might learn and take away something from his cast is a lot more exciting than listening to TB's voice. The fact that I can count the total number of analytical casters on one hand, means I'm not going to complain about idra's voice. I will complain about casters like TB though because they are a dime in a dozen.

Swineflew

United States61 Posts

May 13 2011 07:21 GMT

#49

On May 13 2011 16:15 Atlare wrote:

Show nested quote +

Thank god somebody else in this thread who can read and not automatically assume TB is being an ass.

I guess I should have picked out the 1..... "compliment" in the article and ignored the other 5 paragraphs as to why he is a bad caster, which I don't agree with, hence the post.

If Husky is a good caster compared to IdrA, than I guess my view of a good caster is skewed and I'm in the minority.

Iubaris

United States14 Posts

May 13 2011 07:21 GMT

#50

Apparently none of you seem to get it. TB meant that there are two audiences of SC2 media: the audience who wants to learn and have in-depth analytical casters, and the more "casual" audience who just wants to enjoy watching the game. (This is not to say that they don't overlap; they do.)

TB's main point is that when casters over-analyze at the expense of making the game seem exciting, you risk alienating that second audience. And while the people who frequent TL tend to be in the more analytical side of the audience, it doesn't mean that both aren't important. "Real" sports are enjoyed by people who both know the ins and outs and strategy of the sport and by those who just like to watch and cheer on their team. In the interests of growing SC2 as an e-sport, we should encourage both audiences, not sacrifice one in the interests of the other.

Of course, if you don't care about SC2 as an e-sport, then you can ignore TB's post altogether.

pbjsandwich

United States443 Posts

May 13 2011 07:21 GMT

#51

is it that he's new to casting or is it that this is just a side thing for him?

Idra is a player first and was asked to do these things.

TB shouldn't be posting stuff like this when he's far from the best caster in the world

you can't be a critic and a professional at the same time bud. and if you are you better be at the top

FabledIntegral

United States9232 Posts

May 13 2011 07:22 GMT

#52

On May 13 2011 16:13 _Darwin_ wrote:
IdrA isn't a caster. And I PREFER the "yeah it's gg" as opposed to "NOW I WONDER IF THE 7 SCV TERRAN CAN REPRODUCE FAST ENOUGH TO TAKE ON THE 200/200 TOSS."

Agreed. I hate situations where say Terran is marching in with a button of marines/tanks, and the casters say something like "oh, well he just got off an AMAZING baneling bomb, wow this is exactly what he needed right now!" when he's on 1 base vs 4 base or some shit like that and it's obvious if the Terran army got wiped out completely with zero casualties from the Zerg, he'd still win. It just irks me the wrong way.

Anzekay

Australia63 Posts

May 13 2011 07:22 GMT

#53

Glad to see the title of this thread was changed to properly reflect the nature of TB's post.

I'm very disapointed that someone felt the need to make such a misleading post when they clearly read between the lines and didn't properly understand what TB was saying, and even more disapointed that so many people jumped on the bandwagon to criticize TB over something he didn't even say.

Regardless, I think he makes excellent points, and I will continue to enjoy Idra's commentating for precisely what it is.

IronMonocle

Canada142 Posts

May 13 2011 07:23 GMT

#54

Yahzee uh i mean Totalbiscuit needs to understand that this is not American Football he is casting but a deep strategic game of Starcraft 2. You don't have people yelling when someone makes a good play in a lot of sports especially strategic ones like chess.

dizzy101

Netherlands2066 Posts

May 13 2011 07:23 GMT

#55

Why does this TotalBiscuit keep digging holes for himself by getting involved in petty debates? Tsk tsk

emythrel

United Kingdom2599 Posts

May 13 2011 07:23 GMT

#56

TB wasn't at all slamming Idra, he was pointing out that idra is a colour commentator...... if you watch WWE or TNA etc Idra is the equivalent of Jerry Lawler or Taz..... he is the expert who can tell you about the technical stuff and predict where a match will go. And he's very very very good at it, as TB says in the article.

Idra is not a caster however, you wouldn't put him on a cast on his own..... you simply wouldn't. you can see how well Idra works as a colour guy when he was with iNc. iNc called the games while idra added knowledge and depth, not that iNc doesn't do that himself, but iNc is a very good play by play caster considering he is relatively new to the job.

Deleted User 123474

292 Posts

May 13 2011 07:23 GMT

#57

I have been extremely impressed by IdrA's commentating but someone like iNcontroL definitely fits the bill better in terms of entertainment yet accuracy.

It is best for me, as a master's player, to have a commentator who understands the game, tells me what's happening, is on occasion funny, and --most importantly-- doesn't get on my nerves (read: who isn't Husky).

I can't fault IdrA for not being as entertaining as iNcontroL or Artosis. A commentator who plays at a high level is an essential piece to good casting. In something like the NASL, I prefer as few Husky (for lack of different examples) types and as many iNcontroL or even Gretorp types as possible.

From your post I gather that TB is an entertainment caster who values superficial, "whoa!" entertainment above all else, which I disagree with. For SC2 to be consistently enjoyable to watch it has to have that intellectual component emphasized.

TL;DR: Tell me "ten minutes before the game ends" how it will end, please. If your analysis is good, I will be excessively entertained and impressed.

ed21x

United States103 Posts

May 13 2011 07:23 GMT

#58

Idra's commentary is actually quite colorful if you appreciate his dry humour and snide remarks. I actually find it entertaining in addition to being insightful. Sure, TB is trying to angle it like Idra has no personality and is a monotonous pillar of information, but that is simply not true. What I get from this comment is more TB trying to justify why he himself is necessary despite just being boisterous while not having any deep insight. A good commentator can actually fullfill both rolls without overlapping with someone else who is equally doing both parts effectively. Heck, in sports most commentators despite being 'colorful' are also VERY well versed in the history of what they are commentating on.

Nayl

Canada413 Posts

May 13 2011 07:23 GMT

#59

Also TB raises great point when he says " It is impossible to get excited about a game that ended 10 minutes ago, when you’ve just had the fact rubbed in your face by the casting team."

The korean casters for OSL/MSL/GSL all reflect what TB is saying. They usually don't (with exception of landslide losses) outright declare that this game is over, in a middle of a game. Their casters keep the tension up, while their commentators explain why player A has a huge lead over player B.

diddLY

United States215 Posts

May 13 2011 07:24 GMT

#60

This matters because Idra is quitting pro gaming to become a caster.

You are right for the wrong reasons TB.