Question about commentary

2014-01-12 10:33:28 pm

Since I don't know, where to post it on SDA, I'm gonna ask it here!

Well, I started streaming in December and always wanted to do some commentary during my streaming sessions. However, since I'm pretty new (and also kinda nervous if I have to present something), I would like to know some tips and tricks in general.

I don't have to say that much regarding this topic :X

Greetings,

Frozer

Thread title:

PresJPolk

2014-01-13 04:41:01 am

Learn to love your reset button. :)

Frozer

Edit history:

Frozer: 2014-01-13 11:04:46 am

2014-01-13 11:04:19 am

I loved her too much :( Now she refuses anything...

http://imgur.com/eouFFHp

BloodDuster

2014-01-14 12:22:49 am

Just start rambling about stuff in the game, like how you do tricks, how they work and maybe a bit of story/trivia about that game. Even question you have about that game (story wise) are a good idea.
If you manage to talk about that in a comfortable way, go on bring in some jokes, fool around with people in the chat.
I know it can be hard in thhe beginning to do some commentary but its not that hard. Its just the fear about saying something stupid or what the people thhhink about you. Just ignore that fear :)
Its like stepping onto a stage as a musician: the first time you dont know how to feel but if you do what you love and what you do good theres no need to hhold back. There are always people who enjoy whhat you do (sure haters too but they are not many)

curseddolls

Edit history:

curseddolls: 2014-01-14 01:14:36 pm

2014-01-14 01:13:52 pm

100% gamer

Quote from BloodDuster:

Just start rambling about stuff in the game, like how you do tricks, how they work and maybe a bit of story/trivia about that game. Even question you have about that game (story wise) are a good idea.

In my opinion way to many runners talk waaaaaaay to much and almost constantly about every single frame in the game with this and that skip.
I think its rather annoying to have someone talking that much about the game..
I rather talk with my chat then about every single thing I do in the game I run.
I'm playing/streaming to my viewers so for me my focus (besides the game) is them.

There is no right or wrong when streaming and comenting game play, go with your instincts and your heart.
If you dont have the currage to talk a lot from the start then build it up with baby steps.
It will get easyer with time.

Partystar

Edit history:

Partystar: 2014-01-14 01:52:40 pm

Partystar: 2014-01-14 01:52:04 pm

Partystar: 2014-01-14 01:51:08 pm

Partystar: 2014-01-14 01:50:36 pm

2014-01-14 01:47:40 pm

hahaha The first time I did commentary was during my run for ESA. I wasn't really planning to provide any commentary, as I cannot really focus while talking. However, at the first day of ESA, the crew members shouted in the room, that it was too quite and wanted more action. I took that advise for my own run and I actually enjoyed it. I was also pretty nervous and when you start talking, you break the ice. I often talk about other stuff or other games that have nothing to do with the game I'm running. Maybe, it doesn't even matter what your talking about as long as you enjoy your runs/ streaming sessions. Some streamers are extremely good at their game and barely talk at all.

Alko

2014-01-14 10:45:46 pm

Caution: This user contains Kana ^_^

Quote from curseddolls:

Quote from BloodDuster:

Just start rambling about stuff in the game, like how you do tricks, how they work and maybe a bit of story/trivia about that game. Even question you have about that game (story wise) are a good idea.

In my opinion way to many runners talk waaaaaaay to much and almost constantly about every single frame in the game with this and that skip.
I think its rather annoying to have someone talking that much about the game..
I rather talk with my chat then about every single thing I do in the game I run.
I'm playing/streaming to my viewers so for me my focus (besides the game) is them.

There is no right or wrong when streaming and comenting game play, go with your instincts and your heart.
If you dont have the currage to talk a lot from the start then build it up with baby steps.
It will get easyer with time.

Well, in a marathon, there's always going to be people who haven't ever seen the game before, and who you don't want to loose due to lack of commentary. Take a game like Yoshi's Island; technically the first three or four levels have to be filled with commentary more or less, so that the uninformed viewer has an idea of the game mechanics … but those mechanics also have to be quickly re-stated in the middle, because new viewers will come online. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't interact with the chat, socialise with them etc.
And I don't think many people will complain about there being too much talk in the marathon room … more like during the German restream, we were criticised by our chat for being too quiet ^^' Balance is probably the key, like everywhere.

[quote="curseddolls"][quote="BloodDuster"]Just start rambling about stuff in the game, like how you do tricks, how they work and maybe a bit of story/trivia about that game. Even question you have about that game (story wise) are a good idea.[/quote]

In my opinion way to many runners talk waaaaaaay to much and almost constantly about every single frame in the game with this and that skip.
I think its rather annoying to have someone talking that much about the game..
I rather talk with my chat then about every single thing I do in the game I run.
I'm playing/streaming to my viewers so for me my focus (besides the game) is them.

There is no right or wrong when streaming and comenting game play, go with your instincts and your heart.
If you dont have the currage to talk a lot from the start then build it up with baby steps.
It will get easyer with time.[/quote]
Well, in a marathon, there's always going to be people who haven't ever seen the game before, and who you don't want to loose due to lack of commentary. Take a game like Yoshi's Island; technically the first three or four levels have to be filled with commentary more or less, so that the uninformed viewer has an idea of the game mechanics … but those mechanics also have to be quickly re-stated in the middle, because new viewers will come online. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't interact with the chat, socialise with them etc.
And I don't think many people will complain about there being too much talk in the marathon room … more like during the German restream, we were criticised by our chat for being too quiet ^^' Balance is probably the key, like everywhere.

curseddolls

2014-01-14 10:46:59 pm

100% gamer

Alko I ment in general.. not marathon specific..

Alko

2014-01-14 11:02:26 pm

Caution: This user contains Kana ^_^

Sorry, I wasn't sure ^^'

ozzy88

Edit history:

ozzy88: 2014-01-15 04:39:00 pm

2014-01-15 04:38:44 pm

I was of the impression that Frozer was talking about a possible future marathon performance when I saw the topic. The question does however gear towards his/hers personal stream.

And on that note I can only say, go for it. If you don't turn on the mic there will be no commentary. So, just try it and as you are doing it talk about whatever you feel like. I mostly just greet people and answer the questions that pop up. It doesn't make for very entertaining commentary but my audience have in general seen the games I run and the tricks that I go for. So going over how they work feels really odd if nobody asks about anything specific. If you want to evolve your stream experience you could try to come up with gimmicks or in-jokes over time :P

Partystar

Edit history:

Partystar: 2014-01-15 05:20:32 pm

2014-01-15 05:18:55 pm

yeah I agree with Ozzy. It might feel artificial if you rehearse the game mechanics every time you stream, while the majority of your viewers already know. Of course if you want to practice your commentary for say a marathon, then you can practice by rehearsing your commentary. Maybe if you pick up a new game then providing commentary in the first few stream sessions, would be a good idea.

Frozer

2014-01-16 10:51:01 am

Thanks everyone for your answers! As I expected, you have different opinions on this topic. ^^ However I should've told, that I was streaming with the mic on (spontaneously). It was fairly difficult in the beginning and also later on, it was a bit troublesome, since I wasn't preparing for it.

Funny enough, I actually never had to explain anything specifically. Most of the viewers / lurkers knew about the tricks/glitches in-game (just in-case you don't know, I'm running Phantasy Star Online Episode 1 + 2. Mostly 2, because I like it more.).

And as ozzy88 said: It was really going towards my personal stream. However, I was planning to attend on a smaller speedrunning marathon, which is on-hold / ded and one or two conventions here in Switzerland. I guess, I have to practice it a bit :)