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Active: 31510 users

Best/favorite way to watch DotA 2 esports?

Forum Index > The Tavern
Post a Reply
Aron Times
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States312 Posts
June 07 2015 06:37 GMT
#1
So I noticed that DotA 2 viewer numbers on Twitch seem very, very low compared to the heyday of Starcraft 2. Is this because most people are watching the game through the actual DotA 2 client?

Is it better to watch through Twitch or through DotA 2 itself? Pros? Cons?

DotA 2 Client:

+Consumes much less bandwidth, as it's just streaming audio and game commands as opposed to actual video.
+I can move the camera manually so I can focus on different parts of the action, kind of like the difference between live theater and movies.
+Much better visual experience than Twitch.
+Can get random item drops while watching.

-Can't see or hear audience reactions.
-I have to have DotA 2 installed to watch through the client.

Twitch

+Can watch on tablet, which means I don't have to sit at my desktop and can lie down in bed or on a couch.
+Get to interact with people also watching the stream.
+Can see and hear audience reactions.

-Consumes much more bandwidth.
-Lower visual quality compared to client.

What do you think, TeamLiquid?
"The drums! The drums! The drums! The neverending drumbeat! Open me, you human fool! Open the light and summon me and receive my majesty!"
Ler
Profile Blog Joined August 2012
Germany543 Posts
June 07 2015 14:09 GMT
#2
+Get to interact with people also watching the stream.

KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA

:D
Twitter: @Ler_GG | Facebook: lergg | youtube: lerlolgg | Twitch.tv/gg_nore | #ArtOfSupport
LightTemplar
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Ireland481 Posts
June 07 2015 14:40 GMT
#3
User was warned for etc.
I usually watch VODs tbh, can watch at my own pace, can queue up, skip pauses etc. Hard to avoid spoiler sometimes though
"Thoughts are always there, the mind can't stop" - Grubby
ahswtini
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Northern Ireland22208 Posts
June 07 2015 15:54 GMT
#4
usually stream, and noobfromua videos if i missed the live broadcast
"As I've said, balance isn't about strategies or counters, it's about probability and statistics." - paralleluniverse
i.exies
Profile Joined May 2014
United Kingdom28 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-06-07 16:38:08
June 07 2015 16:37 GMT
#5
If there is a game that i really want to watch i usually ask someone who has the ticket and is handing out invites to send me one too.

In general i either just listen to the game while doing w.e i have to do and if i want to check up a game later i download the replay from dotabank and watch it via the test client.

I dont really like watching them on twitch because i dont get to control the camera and see the player perspective of certain pros, nor can i check things that interest me throughout the match. Not being able to mute casters while keeping the camera control and ingame sounds is another thing thats really annoying since nowadays you have all kinda of weird casters casting important games like winter , xyclops , zyori , durka and a bunch of others that have a pretty annoying voice.

Id love to be able to just pay per series in order to get access to a certain game between teams that actually interest me instead of having to purchase a 6 euro ticket to get a set and a bunch of games i dont really care about to see just 3 games that are good.
"I dont even like naga siren dude" - EternaLEnVy Dreamhack 2014
Verniy
Profile Joined May 2015
Canada3360 Posts
June 07 2015 17:47 GMT
#6
It's not Dota without the twitch chat experience. VODs are okay for watching games that I can't watch live though.
Heaven's Halberd is the most criminally underbought item in Dota. Together we can stop this.
Aron Times
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States312 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-06-07 19:18:42
June 07 2015 19:18 GMT
#7
On June 07 2015 23:09 Ler wrote:
+Get to interact with people also watching the stream.

KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA

:D

Hell yeah, it's not esports without KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA... KAPPA.
"The drums! The drums! The drums! The neverending drumbeat! Open me, you human fool! Open the light and summon me and receive my majesty!"
Deathmanbob
Profile Joined December 2010
United States2356 Posts
June 07 2015 21:16 GMT
#8
You forgot the best way to watch Dota2... Without pants
No Artosis, you are robin
Firebolt145
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Lalalaland34487 Posts
June 07 2015 21:30 GMT
#9
On June 08 2015 04:18 Eternal Dalek wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 07 2015 23:09 Ler wrote:
+Get to interact with people also watching the stream.

KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA

:D

Hell yeah, it's not esports without KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA... KAPPA.

For the record we usually warn Twitch memes, but let this slide because it was used to make a point. Please avoid using them in the future.
Moderator
Ayaz2810
Profile Joined September 2011
United States2763 Posts
June 07 2015 23:18 GMT
#10
On June 07 2015 23:09 Ler wrote:
+Get to interact with people also watching the stream.

KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA

:D



I read the OP and thought the same thing. I have read twitch chat like 3 times while watching a stream, and I have seen no actual conversation or anything of value all 3 times. People call that socializing?
Vrtra Vanquisher/Tiamat Trouncer/World Serpent Slayer
Aron Times
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States312 Posts
June 08 2015 02:09 GMT
#11
On June 08 2015 08:18 Ayaz2810 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 07 2015 23:09 Ler wrote:
+Get to interact with people also watching the stream.

KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA

:D



I read the OP and thought the same thing. I have read twitch chat like 3 times while watching a stream, and I have seen no actual conversation or anything of value all 3 times. People call that socializing?

Different people are different, man.

And it's not just the actual Twitch chat that I'm talking about. Interacting with fellow viewers includes participating in the various TeamLiquid live report threads, which is inconvenient when watching through the client because I have to alt tab out of it to post to the thread, whereas with Twitch, I can simply go to the other tab in Chrome and post quickly and then back again.

I suppose I could use Steam's built-in web browser if I want to interact with fellow TL.net members, but I still wouldn't be able to hear the roar of the crowd in game.
"The drums! The drums! The drums! The neverending drumbeat! Open me, you human fool! Open the light and summon me and receive my majesty!"
Lackbleeder
Profile Joined May 2015
741 Posts
June 08 2015 10:22 GMT
#12
On June 08 2015 08:18 Ayaz2810 wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 07 2015 23:09 Ler wrote:
+Get to interact with people also watching the stream.

KAPPA KAPPA KAPPA

:D



I read the OP and thought the same thing. I have read twitch chat like 3 times while watching a stream, and I have seen no actual conversation or anything of value all 3 times. People call that socializing?


You aren't going to have meaningfull conversations in an open chat with thousands of viewers. Twitch is akin to a stadium football/soccer match, just go along with the spam and act like a retard like everyone else & have fun (or don't, your choice).


Btw OP you can also earn drops from twitch if you link your steam account to your twitch account.
Somebody once told me za warudo is gonna roll me
Jisira
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
470 Posts
June 08 2015 10:34 GMT
#13
If I want to watch a game whilst chilling - Twitch.

If I actually care about more than the result of the game - client.

When I want to watch and learn; I'd rather trade good audio for camera control, hype for stats and intricacies. The other way around if I decide to kick back.
Plansix
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States60190 Posts
June 08 2015 10:50 GMT
#14
On the couch, with a beer. Fuck twitch chat, who needs it.
I have the Honor to be your Obedient Servant, P.6
TL+ Member
Laserist
Profile Joined September 2011
Turkey4269 Posts
June 08 2015 11:07 GMT
#15
Client for the win. Best resolution, no compression bullshit, much less bandwidth, control over the obs.
If you love Dota and watch games, there is no reason not to watch DotaTV.

Twitch is good during cardio and you ll hear audience in TI from DotaTV anyways.

And twitch chat sucks.
“Are you with the Cartel? Because you’re definitely an Angel.”
ThePianoDentist
Profile Joined July 2011
United Kingdom698 Posts
June 08 2015 11:09 GMT
#16
definitely dota tv, as I can watch from player perspective.

It annoys me when casters are continuously going "wonder what x is going to build/buy", when they can literally just look in the quickbuy of player perspective

i would love though, after rewinding to watch something, to be able to play at for example 0.5x or 2x, so i can either slow-mo watch fights, or speed on if i rewinded too far.

As far as im aware you can do that in replays but not live games right?
Brood War Protoss, SC2 Terran/Protoss
75
Profile Joined December 2012
Germany4057 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-06-08 15:18:10
June 08 2015 15:18 GMT
#17
if you dont really care: watch vods. you save much time that way. spoilers might happen if you are not careful.

if you care i would watch via dotatv. you can switch perspectives,speed,...

for TI i would recommend twitch though. that way you can watch with friends on your tv and see hypevideos and stuff.
meanwhile having your mobile phone for spamming useless stuff in live report threads.
yo twitch, as long as I can watch 480p lagfree I'm happy
SpiritoftheTunA
Profile Blog Joined August 2006
United States20903 Posts
June 09 2015 07:47 GMT
#18
On June 08 2015 20:09 ThePianoDentist wrote:

It annoys me when casters are continuously going "wonder what x is going to build/buy", when they can literally just look in the quickbuy of player perspective

i used to think that until i tried being in a broadcaster slot myself

you can't check player perspective from a broadcaster slot... which makes sense because that data probably can't be transmitted instantly
posting on liquid sites in current year
ahswtini
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
Northern Ireland22208 Posts
June 09 2015 08:48 GMT
#19
On June 09 2015 16:47 SpiritoftheTunA wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 08 2015 20:09 ThePianoDentist wrote:

It annoys me when casters are continuously going "wonder what x is going to build/buy", when they can literally just look in the quickbuy of player perspective

i used to think that until i tried being in a broadcaster slot myself

you can't check player perspective from a broadcaster slot... which makes sense because that data probably can't be transmitted instantly

pretty much this, although it shouldn't be difficult to code in displaying what that hero has on quickbuy when you click on them
"As I've said, balance isn't about strategies or counters, it's about probability and statistics." - paralleluniverse
njt7
Profile Joined August 2012
Sweden769 Posts
Last Edited: 2015-06-09 09:56:28
June 09 2015 09:54 GMT
#20
If i plan 2 watch a bo3, 5 or multiple games in a groupstage or w/e I will watch on the twitch vid system so that i can easily skip downtime or one sided games. 10h of a twitch vod can usually be watched in less then 2h. So i usually watch with 24h delay and stay away from spoilers.

If i do watch live it will be on a streaming service with The chat hidden. Sometimes its fun to write stupid stuff in the lr thread.

Game Of pauses usually isnt worth 2 watch live. I guess i watch more for The picks and bans and results then The live action.
"All the casters who flamed me ever for anything."
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