Caster

Caster – a “caster” in the context of esports is a pivotal figure who plays a crucial role in enhancing the viewer experience during esports events (see also casting). Often referred to as commentators or analysts, casters bring a unique blend of expertise, charisma, and articulation to the table as they deliver live commentary and analysis, unraveling the intricacies of the gameplay for the audience. The key responsibilities of casters are:

Live Commentary

• Play-by-play descriptions: Casters provide real-time narration of the game, offering detailed descriptions of key events as they unfold, including character actions, environmental changes, and in-game events. They use their knowledge of the game mechanics and terminology to ensure clarity and understanding for the audience.
• Strategic observations: In addition to describing the actions on screen, casters also provide strategic observations, highlighting important decisions made by players, potential consequences, and the overall flow of the game. This commentary helps viewers anticipate upcoming moves, understand team strategies, and appreciate the complexity of competitive gameplay.
• Creating a narrative: Skilled casters weave a narrative around the gameplay, adding context and building excitement throughout the broadcast. They use their voice inflection, pacing, and vocabulary to create a sense of drama and emphasize pivotal moments in the game.

Analysis

Beyond play-by-play commentary, casters delve into strategic analysis, dissecting the decisions made by players and teams during the match. This analysis can include:

• Breaking down complex strategies: Casters explain complex team compositions, champion picks (in games like League of Legends), and in-game tactics employed by the players. They use their understanding of the game meta (most effective strategies) to provide insightful commentary that helps viewers make sense of the strategic decisions unfolding before them.
• Identifying key turning points: Casters pinpoint crucial moments in the game that significantly impacted the outcome, analyzing the decisions that led to those moments and their subsequent consequences. This helps viewers appreciate the cause-and-effect nature of competitive gameplay and understand how small choices can snowball into major victories or defeats.
• Offering post-match insights: After the conclusion of the match, casters often provide post-match analysis, summarizing the key takeaways from the game, discussing the overall performance of teams and players, and potentially previewing upcoming matches.

Entertainment

Successful casters bring an element of entertainment to their commentary, infusing energy, enthusiasm, and sometimes humor into their delivery. This can involve:

• Creating a lively atmosphere: Casters use their voice and personality to create an engaging and exciting atmosphere for the viewers. They may use catchphrases, playful banter with their co-caster, and enthusiastic reactions to highlight key moments in the game.
• Storytelling: Casters weave narratives around the game, drawing viewers in by creating stories about the teams, players, and rivalries. This can help viewers connect with the players on a deeper level and become invested in the outcome of the match.
• Humor: Incorporating appropriate humor can lighten the mood, keep viewers engaged, and make the broadcast more enjoyable. However, it’s important to maintain professionalism and avoid offensive or distracting humor.

Casters often enter into contracts with esports organizations or event organizers. These agreements outline the terms of engagement, including compensation, exclusivity clauses, and any obligations regarding the use of the caster’s likeness (image rights).

A good caster should have clear and fluent speaking skills, a deep understanding of the game mechanics, familiarity with professional players and teams, and the ability to explain the course of the game well. They should also be quick to react to exciting moments in the game. In addition to understanding esports, they should also have an entertaining spirit.

Notable casters

The esports world boasts a diverse and talented pool of casters, each with their unique style and personality. Some notable names include:

• David “Phreak” Turley:[1] League of Legends
• Anders Blume:[2] Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
• Mitch “Uber” Leslie:[3] Overwatch
• Stephen “Sajam” Lyon:[4] Fighting Game Community

[1] David ‘Phreak’ Turley, ‘Leaguepedia’ <https://lol.fandom.com/wiki/Phreak> accessed 16 January 2024.

[2] Anders Blume, ‘Liquipedia’ (31 March 2023) <https://liquipedia.net/counterstrike/Anders_Blume> accessed 16 January 2024.

[3] Uber, ‘Liquipedia’ (1 December 2023) <https://liquipedia.net/overwatch/Uber> accessed 29 January 2024.

[4] Sajam, ‘Liquipedia’ (30 May 2023) <https://liquipedia.net/fighters/Sajam> accessed 29 January 2024.

[5] Faker, ‘Liquipedia’ (19 November 2023) <https://liquipedia.net/leagueoflegends/Faker> accessed 29 January 2024

[6] SumaiL, ‘Liquipedia’ (19 November 2023) < https://liquipedia.net/dota2/SumaiL> accessed 29 January 2024

[7] JessNoLimit, ‘Liquipedia’ (19 November 2023) < https://liquipedia.net/mobilelegends/JessNoLimit> accessed 29 January 2024