A1 Shoutcasting principles

Types of shoutcaster:

play by play (PBP)

Play-by-play shoutcasting is a live commentary and analysis of an esports game as it is being played. A shoutcaster (or "caster") provides detailed descriptions of the game's events, strategies, and players, adding excitement and context for the audience.

Vlad 'WaXeN' Catusanu casted the finals of the British Esports Students Champs and here is an account of his experiance.

colour

A colour shoutcaster in esports is a commentator who provides analysis and insight into the game beyond just describing what is happening. They add colour to the play-by-play commentary, offering expert opinions on players, strategies, and the state of the game. Colour shoutcasting is an essential aspect of esports broadcasts, adding depth and understanding to the viewing experience.

hybrid

A hybrid shoutcaster in esports is a commentator who has both play-by-play and analysis skills, allowing them to provide both in-depth knowledge of the game and exciting commentary during matches.

In the below video Vlad demonstrates a number of hybrid and

solo/collaborative

In esports, a solo shoutcaster is a commentator who provides play-by-play and analysis alone, without a co-commentator. A collaborative shoutcaster, on the other hand, works with another commentator to provide play-by-play and analysis together, often with one person providing play-by-play and the other providing analysis.

In the below video Vlad demonstrates a number of hybrid/solo and collaborative casts.

recorded/live.

What is the purpose of Shoutcasting:

to enrich the audience experience

to give detailed information

to provide structure and context to the esports experience.

What are the responsibilities of a shoutcaster when shoutcasting,

legal,

ethical,

contractual.

Anonymous Assessment - Learners assess an anonymous piece of work containing deliberate mistakes against given success criteria.

Learning aim A: Explore how shoutcasting contributes to the experience of esports

A.P1 Explain the types, purpose and responsibilities of shoutcasting.

A.P2 Describe general shoutcasting practice and conventional information that shoutcasters communicate.

A.M1 Assess examples of shoutcasting practice across different types of esports.

A.D1 Evaluate shoutcasting practice across different types of esports, identifying best practice

A2 Shoutcasting practice

• Communicating information using shoutcasting codes and conventions:

o player insight o in-depth game information

o game action information

o tactics insight o tournament information o hype and energy o transitions o story/narrative o updates o contextualisation of events and action.

Anonymous Assessment - Learners assess an anonymous piece of work containing deliberate mistakes against given success criteria.

Learning aim A: Explore how shoutcasting contributes to the experience of esports

A.P1 Explain the types, purpose and responsibilities of shoutcasting.

A.P2 Describe general shoutcasting practice and conventional information that shoutcasters communicate.

A.M1 Assess examples of shoutcasting practice across different types of esports.

A.D1 Evaluate shoutcasting practice across different types of esports, identifying best practice

B1 Preparation for shoutcasting

• Background information on participants, e.g. performance, demographic, contribution, specialism.

• Background information on game and tournament, e.g. history, development and version, type of gameplay, significant achievements, specialist tactics used, demographic of audience, anecdotal information.

• Preparing information for shoutcasting, e.g. player lists and outline information, game statistics, leaderboards, notes.

Anonymous Assessment - Learners assess an anonymous piece of work containing deliberate mistakes against given success criteria.

Learning aim B: Prepare for esports shoutcasting performance and communication

B.P3 Identify appropriate player, game, tournament and audience information through research in preparation for shoutcasting.

B.P4 Use appropriate shoutcasting practice and review techniques for development of voice, use of sound and communication.

B.M2 Use effective shoutcasting practice and review techniques that integrate relevant esports background information and responses to live action.

BC.D2 Demonstrate confident and fluent shoutcasting that is thoroughly informed and exploits communication opportunities.

B2 Developing communication and sound skills

• Voice:

o tempo

o rate

o quality

o volume

o pitch

o rhythm

o timbre.

• Development:

o warm-up

o developing range of voice

o breath capacity and placement

o formation and placement of sounds

o facial articulation

o posture, centering body and weight placement.

• Communication:

o stress and emphasis for expression, e.g. surprise, excitement o pause and continuity

o tone, accent, dialect and articulation

o technical terms and jargon.

• Audio skills for sound and spaces, e.g. acoustics of spaces, background sound, avoiding distortion and feedback, microphone types and sound equipment, microphone technique and placement, format, such as location, remote, to camera.

Anonymous Assessment - Learners assess an anonymous piece of work containing deliberate mistakes against given success criteria.

Learning aim B: Prepare for esports shoutcasting performance and communication

B.P3 Identify appropriate player, game, tournament and audience information through research in preparation for shoutcasting.

B.P4 Use appropriate shoutcasting practice and review techniques for development of voice, use of sound and communication.

B.M2 Use effective shoutcasting practice and review techniques that integrate relevant esports background information and responses to live action.

BC.D2 Demonstrate confident and fluent shoutcasting that is thoroughly informed and exploits communication opportunities.

B3 Practice and review use of personal shoutcasting development

• Shoutcasting practice for PBP, colour and hybrid types:

o action o goals, targets, statistics, updates

o story, history and context

o comparison, e.g. player and team opportunities, strengths and weaknesses

o co-casting and interaction with others

o transitions, handoffs and handover.

• Ongoing review and improvement planning: o recording and watching back

o feedback

o areas of review, e.g. knowledge, technical skills, performance skills, strengths and areas for development

o improvement target setting.

Anonymous Assessment - Learners assess an anonymous piece of work containing deliberate mistakes against given success criteria.

Learning aim B: Prepare for esports shoutcasting performance and communication

B.P3 Identify appropriate player, game, tournament and audience information through research in preparation for shoutcasting.

B.P4 Use appropriate shoutcasting practice and review techniques for development of voice, use of sound and communication.

B.M2 Use effective shoutcasting practice and review techniques that integrate relevant esports background information and responses to live action.

BC.D2 Demonstrate confident and fluent shoutcasting that is thoroughly informed and exploits communication opportunities.

C1 Shoutcasting

• Application of skills:

o working within legal and ethical constraints

o timing, time management and organisation

o knowledge of gameplay, tactics, progress and events

o providing a balance of information

o keeping pace and energy

o maintaining intrigue

o ensuring audience overview

o capturing key action

o relating to the audience demographic

o connecting events to the bigger picture

o reacting to unexpected events

o adapting to ongoing development

o interacting with others

o using audio equipment

o maintaining sound quality.

Anonymous Assessment - Learners assess an anonymous piece of work containing deliberate mistakes against given success criteria.

Learning aim C: Demonstrate esports shoutcasting skills to an audience

C.P5 Communicate generally adequate and relevant information to an audience using appropriate and conventional shoutcasting techniques.

C.P6 Communicate within legal and ethical constraints appropriate to the audience.

C.M3 Communicate relevant and detailed information using effective shoutcasting techniques that engage the audience.

BC.D2 Demonstrate confident and fluent shoutcasting that is thoroughly informed and exploits communication opportunities.