Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by baddox on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @07:24PM
(#2172934)
One could argue that, while being a successful professional gamer is hard and rare, it's probably much harder and rarer to be a successful caster of professional games. Casters also have to tackle a broader range of skills: they have to remain very current with the game they cast (and they're generally expected to be above-mediocre players themselves), they have to understand the production and distribution process (audio, screen capturing, uploading to Youtube/other video site, etc.), and most of all, they have to get and maintain fans.
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by ohashi on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @10:42PM
(#2173491)
Many of the casters are skilled players themselves. Artosis (one of the commentators for GSL) was quite highly ranked. I believe Tasteless and his brother Day9 are as well. What's interesting to me is Husky, who I don't think is anywhere near their skill has the largest audience.
I've got friends who don't play starcraft who watch husky and love it like it's any other sport. So I definitely agree there is a lot of skills involved and even different target markets. The hardcore players like the best player/casters. There appears to be an even larger casual/not playing at all audience that enjoys the sheer entertainment value of esports.
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by kjr on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @07:22PM
(#2172919)
yeah but how much? has a market actually taken form or are those casters who are making money nothing more then novelty?
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by 3pt14159 on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @07:52PM
(#2173031)
The top caster (H to the husky, husky) has a lambo and wasn't rich prior to casting esports.
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by hartror on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @08:02PM
(#2173063)
He doesn't. At the end of Bainlings he says he doesn't even have the money to hire one.
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by loganlinn on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @09:26PM
(#2173272)
I thought he mentioned that justin.tv provided him with it
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by angrycoder on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @08:15PM
(#2173096)
What method are you using to determine he is the 'top' caster?
Of all popular casters out there, he is the least professional and least insightful.
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by Charuru on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @09:08PM
(#2173216)
# of views?
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by Charuru on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @07:26PM
(#2172946)
Rumors puts popular casters at around 250K a year, just from youtube revenue.
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by kjr on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @07:28PM
(#2172956)
Pretty impressive. Much of this money likely goes to further tournaments and such anyways so a lot of the money is probably finding its way back to players.
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by Charuru on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @07:34PM
(#2172985)
They also spend their money making videos like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzMhh8zhTiY
He really looks like he's having fun.
Re:What I learned from watching six hours of Starcraft
by Charuru on Wednesday February 02, 2011 @07:28PM
(#2172954)
Well yeah, if the goal is to make money, trying to become a top player is probably not the smartest path.
But like for anything else, the real top players are doing it primarily because they really love the game.
The SC2 players are digging for gold and only a few of them make a big strike and the casters and distributors are the ones making all the cash selling shovels.