Nintendude
Smash Hero
The commentary in Smash matches has been bugging me for awhile. Matches with bad commentary is becoming more and more prevalent these days. It's as if they just leave a mic next to the recording station and anyone can go up and say whatever (in fact I think that's what they do). By bad commentary I mean things like not actually commenting on the match, screaming excessively when cool stuff happens, using excessive bad language, and insulting players / making jokes.
There's been a lot of talk lately about how to expand the community and get more people interested and I think a HUGE factor in that is commentary. I remember once on some digg article about Smash people were talking crap about Melee so someone posted a link to a m2k vs. shiz match. The person replied by saying "I don't get what I'm watching it just sounds like a bunch of guys having an orgasm." Indeed, that's exactly what it looks like unless you actually know what's going on. Unfortunately, people who don't play Melee competitively will have no clue what's happening and if anything it'll be a turn off.
The quality of commentary is something that's really separating Smash from professional sports and even professional Halo. Anyone can watch these events and appreciate it because the commentary is actually informative and interesting. Yes, Waffles' commentary is more fun, but it's only fun for those who know what's going on.
A lot of people look down on the Smash community as a bunch of kids playing a kiddie game. I think that bad commentary actually perpetuates this notion, because honestly, some of the commentary I've heard in matches is so bad it's embarrassing. People insulting other players, making crude jokes, referring to inside jokes, etc. Someone who already looks poorly upon the Smash community will only feel more justified after hearing the commentary in our matches.
On the other hand, good commentary would make Smash look more legit to outsiders. My dad really didn't get what all the fuss about Smash is about. He kept telling me he doesn't get how people mashing buttons and beating each other up with Nintendo characters can be competitive, but then I showed him an MLG match with Wife commentating. While he's still not convinced that Smash is legit, he now sees where I'm coming from and this is mainly due to the insight he gained from the commentary.
I think that Husband and Wife achieved a great balance of being informative and fun. They discussed strategies, counterpicks, matchup history, and other things that are extremely interesting and insightful even to people who do not play the game. I understand that it's unrealistic to expect very professional commentary because in the end we are still the Smash community, but big changes still have to be made. Stop letting idiots handle the mics and find more people like Husband and Wife who can offer quality commentary. If you can't get a good commentator, don't set up a mic at all (or just don't record it).
There's been a lot of talk lately about how to expand the community and get more people interested and I think a HUGE factor in that is commentary. I remember once on some digg article about Smash people were talking crap about Melee so someone posted a link to a m2k vs. shiz match. The person replied by saying "I don't get what I'm watching it just sounds like a bunch of guys having an orgasm." Indeed, that's exactly what it looks like unless you actually know what's going on. Unfortunately, people who don't play Melee competitively will have no clue what's happening and if anything it'll be a turn off.
The quality of commentary is something that's really separating Smash from professional sports and even professional Halo. Anyone can watch these events and appreciate it because the commentary is actually informative and interesting. Yes, Waffles' commentary is more fun, but it's only fun for those who know what's going on.
A lot of people look down on the Smash community as a bunch of kids playing a kiddie game. I think that bad commentary actually perpetuates this notion, because honestly, some of the commentary I've heard in matches is so bad it's embarrassing. People insulting other players, making crude jokes, referring to inside jokes, etc. Someone who already looks poorly upon the Smash community will only feel more justified after hearing the commentary in our matches.
On the other hand, good commentary would make Smash look more legit to outsiders. My dad really didn't get what all the fuss about Smash is about. He kept telling me he doesn't get how people mashing buttons and beating each other up with Nintendo characters can be competitive, but then I showed him an MLG match with Wife commentating. While he's still not convinced that Smash is legit, he now sees where I'm coming from and this is mainly due to the insight he gained from the commentary.
I think that Husband and Wife achieved a great balance of being informative and fun. They discussed strategies, counterpicks, matchup history, and other things that are extremely interesting and insightful even to people who do not play the game. I understand that it's unrealistic to expect very professional commentary because in the end we are still the Smash community, but big changes still have to be made. Stop letting idiots handle the mics and find more people like Husband and Wife who can offer quality commentary. If you can't get a good commentator, don't set up a mic at all (or just don't record it).
![Эикельманн [РУС]](/data/avatars/l/153/153661.jpg?1415225120){kind=avatar}
