11 Tips To Become an ESports Shoutcaster

ESports is one of the fastest-growing industries globally, with an estimated 234 million players worldwide.

The number of people involved in eSports goes beyond just playing video games.

ESport shoutcasters are a critical part of the industry and help provide commentary for matches streamed online to viewers worldwide.

Shoutcasters work in front of a camera or on-stage at events, informing audiences about what's happening while entertaining.

In appearance, it looks like a trivially easy pro gaming career.

All you have to do to become an eSports commentator is to master 3 essential skills: knowledge about how games work, strong communication skills, and knowledge of broadcasting technology.

Looks easy peasy, right?

Well, nope.

The reality is that eSports shoutcasting is not as simple as it may sound.

It can take years of practice before you're able to hone your skills, your special move, and find your place in this industry.

In this article, we break down what's an eSports shoutcaster, then the steps you should take to become one!

What is an ESports Shoutcaster

ESports shoutcasters are individuals who provide commentary on eSports matches, either through play-by-play or an analytical view.

They may be situated in front of a camera or on stage at events.

Their main goal is to entertain and inform the audience about what is happening.

Becoming a professional commentator takes time and effort.

After all, it's also a pro gamer.

It involves having a solid understanding of how games work, good communication skills, and broadcasting technology.

Role

ESports commentators provide commentary on eSports matches for audiences all around the world.

They cast (or shoutcast), which informs the viewers about what is happening while simultaneously entertaining.

Shoutcasters work in front of a camera or on-stage at events.

There're trying to entertain and inform the audience about what is happening while being informative.

Specializations

There are two types of commentators: the play-by-play and the colour caster.

The play-by-play focuses on the entertainment comments on big fights and actions by improving the hype of each activity.

Meanwhile, colour casters analyze and comment on strategy and other big decisions made during a competition that has either been successful or unsuccessful for teams.

Play-by-play casting tends to be more involved with how games work.

In contrast, colour casting focuses on broadcasting technology, game knowledge, and communication skills.

11 Tips to Become a Professional Shoutcaster in the eSports Scene

Here are 11 tips to help you becoming a professional commentator.

Have a Passion for Gaming

Some people think they need years of experience playing video games before taking on this role, but that isn't always the case!

You can start out as a casual player with little to no knowledge about specific titles and work your way up from there.

What matters most is having a deep passion for gaming.

You should be able to explain why you love the game so much, how it works, and what makes different playstyles fun or challenging.

It's also strongly recommended that before you decide to become a professional commentator, you try your hand at streaming on either Youtube, Twitch, or Facebook Gaming!

They are both live streaming video platforms that provide valuable experience when broadcasting yourself in front of an audience.

Also, be sure to have a good computer for game streaming and broadcasting edition.

Pay Attention to the Details

Before becoming a pro shoutcaster, you need to understand exactly how a video game works.

You don't need to play professionally or even be particularly good at the games you cast.

Still, as a caster, your knowledge about how teams work and what strategies they use will set you apart from other casters who don't have that expertise.

Did a player just pick up a weapon?

Mention that there are only three more of those on their team! A great example of this would be Sean "Day9" Plott, who built his career from being a casual StarCraft player into becoming one of the most recognizable eSports personalities.

Work on Your Communication Skills

The best professional commentators are knowledgeable about their subject and straightforward in communicating that information to the audience.

It doesn't matter how good you are at explaining a video game or what strategies a team uses if the viewers can't understand you!

So be sure to be understandable for all.

Study Broadcasting Technology

Broadcasting is a rapidly evolving landscape, with new products hitting store shelves every day designed for live television, radio, or streaming purposes.

When trying to become an eSports commentator, you must understand how the tools work and when it's appropriate to use them in a broadcast situation.

In addition to understanding these types of technology, you should also study the specific requirements of live streaming platforms like Twitch.tv, YouTube Gaming, or Facebook gaming to determine which tools will work best for you.

Build Your Network

There are many ways that an aspiring eSports shoutcaster can grow their professional network.

Participating in local events, commenting on eSports news, and starting a podcast with tips on improving as a caster are great ways to build your network.

Be Part of a Community

It's always better to be active in a community than not.

So search through forums and communities dedicated to pro games you want to shoutcast and see if any news or discussions is going on around those topics!

You can also consider joining Discord groups where players/fans hang out just as a way to build your network.

Watch Other ESports Shoutcasters in Action

There's no better way to learn how everything works than by watching others do it!

If you're lucky, you might even get a chance to watch one of your favorite eSports commentators up close and personal, offering valuable insight into their style and personality.

At the same time, you improve your own knowledge and communication skills.

Practice Frequently (Even if Nobody is Listening)

Don't be discouraged if you don't have many viewers when you first start streaming or broadcasting.

Many people who work in this industry started as a caster purely because they had the drive and passion for doing it!

Be Aware of Game Paces

Every eSports game is different, with its own strengths and weaknesses in broadcasting.

For example, Super Smash Bros Melee is a fast-paced fighting game that was designed primarily for offline/local multiplayer matches, making it difficult for a commentator to keep up with all of the action on screen, especially if they're casting from the stage.

In contrast, Blizzard Entertainment's Hearthstone has been praised by eSports experts as being one of the easiest games to cast due to its slower pace and turn-based nature.

Finally, games like Dota 2 have their own challenges in how frequently the player must announce certain information, which can either make or break your overall performance.

Don't Be Afraid to Fail!

Every pro commentators had failed at some point when they were starting out.

Even the most experienced broadcasters will admit that their early work wasn't nearly as good as their more recent broadcasts. The key is in how you handle failure and learn from it, so you don't repeat the same mistakes again.

Grow an Audience Through Streaming Regularly

Shoutcasters need regular viewers to gauge their progress like other professionals in the industry.

So consider streaming your practice sessions online to build up a fan base of dedicated fans who want to see you improve!

You could also stream some of your favorite eSports games from time to time, providing examples for other shoutcasters.

Like, for example, how it's possible to grow a substantial audience by offering a unique perspective on both the action and personalities behind the scenes.

One last thing...

Keep in mind that shoutcasting isn't the only option when it comes to working in eSports.

Whether you're looking to focus more on gaming yourself, gameplay analysis, or team management, there are plenty of exciting jobs available at every industry level!

I hope it will be helpful to many people who are interested in the topic of how to become an eSports shoutcaster!

If you still have any questions about this article, feel free to ping us on Twitter!