Gamers would know the feel of sitting in front of an epic tournament, your eyes are fixed on the action being shown on the screen and the commentators are channeling their energy as they narrate what is happening live. But how many of you have wondered, what does it take to be up there, channeling all that energy amidst the hype of competition?
If you’ve ever entertained the thought of being a caster, continue reading on. We’ve reached out to a few local casters in sunny Singapore, for an insight into the life of a caster and managed to get glean some tips for aspiring casters as well.
We’ve left the responses unedited and in their original form.
Lysander
What got you started being a caster?
After watching Dreamhack 2011, I started realizing that esports was something that I really liked. When I heard the International 1 being casted by TobiWan, along with the fact that Dota was a $1,000,000 event, I was very excited. I felt like this was something I could do. As it so happens, I was studying mass communications in Ngee Ann and it was in the same track of what I wanted to do.
An opportunity in Singapore came when Flash esports was doing a talent search for commentators. I joined it, won and using that win, I went to contact Beyond the Summit for a chance to represent them in Southeast Asia. Beyond the Summit said okay, gave a few test games and people liked me. From there, I did my own thing. I eventually got recognized while casting a few Korean games and that was when I really got a lot of attention. I then had chances to cast for bigger and bigger events and eventually got to cast at The International 4.
What games do you typically cast?
I still do Dota, but I do whatever games that will have me. I actually have casted for Clash Royale. I have done Arena of Valor as well. I have also done some PUBG and I’m looking to do Fornite. I have already expanded my base but ultimately my current goals now are to be an esports host. A panel host or stage host for esports. So the games are not really the main focus. So long as I am familiar with the game, it’s okay.
What is a standard day for you like?
A standard day for me is actually pretty relaxing. I’ll wake up, check my calendar to make sure that I don’t have anything later in the day. I’ll then work on some personal projects. If I have an upcoming job, for example this weekend, if I have a cast or a particular hosting job, I’ll prepare, read up on the teams and script my lines so that I can memorize openings. I’ll try to get a feel for what the event is like and mentally prepare myself for it and then go work out. Ultimately it’s still my job so I’ll play a few games to get me in tune with gaming news. A lot of my time spent on my workless days are spent on surveillance. I’ll get up to date with news and find opportunities. If not, I’m out at meetings, networking and doing work. It’s very hard to describe my normal day.
Do you have any tips for aspiring Singaporean casters?
Definitely don’t be afraid to make changes. I would say, for Singapore especially, it would be to get a professional sounding voice. It doesn’t have to sound American or anything but it needs to be clean and free of Singlish. I think that’s a very important thing. Also, work on your image. If you have unkempt hair, or if you don’t look presentable, it doesn’t make sense for someone to hire you in a professional setting.
Work on your personal brand and try to get fans. Work on the fans that you have and try to grow that. Do take jobs that will put you in the limelight. I think ultimately, do a good job. Let your results speak for themselves and always maintain professionalism, even if the job doesn’t seem that professional or doesn’t seem like that kind of situation. Always do your best work and ensure that your employers want to hire you again. If you have that mind-set, things can work out for you.
Facebook: Lysander Xonora
Jayf “Babael” Soh (Retired Heroes of the Storm BlizzCon 2015 caster)
What got you started being a caster?
I first came across video game commentary when I went to a local event in Singapore to support a friend competing in the tournament back in 2012. As I watched the game, the idea came to me when I realized that it’s like a combination of my passion for both games and speech. I thought that I would definitely be keen to translate my passion for the game through my commentary. Being able to call out about exciting moments and to share it with fellow fans of the game was my main motivation behind being an Esports Shoutcaster.
What games did you typically cast?
I started with Heroes of Newerth in 2012 and only really started exploring other titles in 2014 with Hearthstone. I felt that given my on screen persona as a play-by-play caster and the image I was portraying then that it was incredibly difficult to move out of the action based titles but I was willing to give it a shot just to improve my craft. After Hearthstone, I experimented with some other titles like Dota 2 and Strife before finally settling for Heroes of the Storm. As I casted a wider variety of genres, I came to realize that my forte was still action based commentary and it was relatively more enjoyable to me personally.
What was a standard day for you like?
I guess it was a different experience during different time periods. When I first started, it was really just a hobby and part time gig where I would commit 3 hours on days where there were games plus a little time to catch up on the meta and player profiles before. As I gradually moved on, I became pretty obsessed with producing my own content and I would even organize tournaments, show matches and all, just to practice and improve my craft. Those days would start with a morning stroll to brainstorm production content and then afternoon research and watching a lot of vods ending with casting at night.
When I started having more time to commit to commentary during my time with Heroes of the Storm, I would often be looking at memes and creatively inject them into my cast through relevance. I think the hardest part of that would be imagining scenarios and then trying to inject humour in them whenever it is applicable. Because I understood that forcing prepared lines into ill suited scenarios often backfires, more than 80% of the lines I created ended up never used. I spent a lot of time creating jokes and one liners that I would not even end up being able to use them because the games wouldn’t turn out the way I wanted it to, or some heroes didn’t manage to pull off the play I envisioned. What most people don’t get about wit and improv is that it can be trained and it can be prepared.
Do you have any tips for aspiring Singaporean casters?
Hades
What got you started being a caster?
I was really inspired to be a caster after watching Tobiwan and Godz cast in Singapore for the first time. Its an amazing feeling when there is a crowd’s energy during a cast!
What games do you typically cast?
Dota 2 and PUBG.
What is a standard day for you like?
I try to get better at the respective games I cast. I strongly believe that I have to be above average in a game before casting it. I also stream and I am helping out with the Singapore Esports League to try and groom new talent both players and casters.
Do you have any tips for aspiring Singaporean casters?
Don’t give up, be humble and always look to improve yourself. This doesn’t just apply to casters. Casting is a constant test of passion for the game!
Facebook: HadesDota
Teddypay
What got you started being a caster?
I’ve always wanted to play a part in esports! When I watch competitive games, I feel it’s actually the caster that brings the life out in a game, despite the focal point being the players and the game they’re playing. Besides, being in front of the camera and being the one the crowd looks out for as well is pretty fun! The turning point was when I met Jayf (Babael) Soh, a huge HotS (Heroes of the Storm) caster who managed to go into Blizzcon back, at Gamestart 2015. He told me that he needed a co-caster for some projects. While pondering. I suddenly won a pair of Armaggeddon headset WITH A MICROPHONE via the Gamestart lucky draw! I took that as a sign to try it out, and I have never regretted that exchange.
What games do you typically cast?
So far I cast the games I play, which began as Overwatch and Heroes of the Storm. Now I moved on to mobile games like AOV and Clash Royale.
What is a standard day for you like?
Caster (sic) for me is a pretty freelance right now, where I do events when the opportunity arises. On off days I do my day job and practice hosting via different videos whenever I can!
Do you have any tips for aspiring Singaporean casters?
JUST DO IT. There’s really no better way to start. Yes you may not start off amazing, but with practice, surrounding yourself with people who are willing to give you constructive feedback, and overall having fun while doing so, you definitely can get better.
I can recommend 2 videos which helped guide me as a caster.
The first one was Purge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7DPk4qs3ohE
Which really broke down the Dos and Don’ts and ultimately, just telling you the same thing: JUST DO IT.
Second would be a colleague Riku: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JeCKgodt3g
If anything, she’s a caster whose personality shines through, and that is something very important: Never dampen your personality. Showcase who you are as a person and how fun/lame/annoying you can be. It doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day, you wouldn’t want to be a “Caster X ripoff”, you want to be you.
Facebook: Teddypay
