Qin Feng's broadcast, which could be called a 'technical revolution,' was like a nuclear bomb dropped into the esports circle.
Its shockwaves not only rocked players and coaches but also profoundly impacted another group closely related to the events: the commentators.
Before the emergence of league of legends, esports commentary was mostly handled by retired players, veteran gamers, or related practitioners.
The commentary styles were relatively casual, professionalism varied, and it was more like a 'hobby' or'side job.'
However, with the appearance of professional, large-scale events like the Star Sea Cup, the market's demand for commentators underwent a revolutionary change.
What was needed was no longer simple announcements and emotional hype, but precise battle analysis, deep game understanding, rapid situational judgment, and infectious verbal expression.
Commentator, currently the ace male commentator partnering with Yaoyao on the Star Sea Cup stage, his experience is the best footnote to this era's transformation.
A few years ago, Commentator was just a confused young man who had just graduated from an ordinary university.
His major was broadcasting and hosting, but traditional TV stations had high thresholds and few opportunities.
By chance, he came into contact with MOBA games, which were still quite niche at the time, and was immediately attracted by their complex strategy and constantly changing confrontations.
More importantly, he discovered a strong urge to convey his understanding of the game and his passion for events to more people through language.
Driven by this passion, Commentator purchased simple recording equipment and began his 'commentary' journey in his rented room.
He chose several of the most popular MOBA games at the time, recorded a large number of hero tutorials, patch analyses, and event replay videos, and published them on various video platforms.
The ideal was grand, but reality was harsh.
Without fame or resources, and with somewhat crude video production, his works were like stones sinking into the ocean, with negligible viewership.
Occasionally, there were a few comments in the comment section and bullet chat, mostly along the lines of 'Good voice, but the analysis is too shallow' or 'Not as good as so-and-so commentator.'
During that period, he struggled to make ends meet by taking on scattered voice-over jobs and occasional financial help from his family.
On countless late nights, he passionately commentated on low-ranked public matches to a live audience of only single digits, just to maintain that feeling and enthusiasm.
The turning point quietly arrived with the appearance of league of legends.
When Riot Games announced the National City Hero Championship, Commentator keenly realized this was a huge opportunity.
He immediately devoted all his energy to league of legends, frantically studying hero abilities, item systems, and map mechanics.
His league of legends beginner tutorials and early internet cafe tournament replay videos, though still not a big hit, gradually accumulated some reputation among the earliest league of legends players due to his solid broadcasting foundation and increasingly refined game understanding.
He began to receive invitations to commentate on small offline internet cafe tournaments and community events.
The pay was meager, but at least he could stand at a real competition venue.
He cherished every opportunity, no matter how low the competition level, he prepared diligently and commentated passionately.
His stage presence gradually became steady, and his control over his speaking speed and emotions improved.
At the regional tournament commentary desk, his clear analysis and occasional bursts of passionate shouts began to leave an impression on some players.
Time honed his skills and also brought opportunities.
When Riot Games soared with the National Tournament and began preparing for the more structured Star Sea Cup, forming a professional, high-level official commentary team was put on the agenda.
The recruitment channels at the time naturally prioritized commentators who had already made a name for themselves in other gaming fields.
Commentator also submitted his resume, but among a host of 'famous mouths,' his resume was not particularly outstanding.
On the day of the interview, Qin Feng personally participated in the final round.
Several commentators who came for the interview were well-known figures online, with diverse commentary styles; some were humorous and witty, others knowledgeable.
Commentator was scheduled later, feeling anxious.
However, an unexpected event occurred.
One of the interviewees, a well-known commentator who had collaborated with Commentator in some offline events, did not leave immediately after completing his presentation, but instead solemnly recommended Commentator, who was waiting behind him, to the interviewers.
'Mr. Qin, teachers,' the commentator said earnestly, 'I know I'm here as an interviewee today, and saying this might not be appropriate.
But I sincerely want to recommend this person next to me, Commentator.
We've collaborated a few times, and his depth of understanding of league of legends, especially his ability to interpret team fight details and tactical intentions, is the strongest I've seen among newcomers.
His broadcasting background is also very solid; he just lacks a bigger stage.
I believe that if given the opportunity, he will definitely not disappoint you.'
This sudden recommendation surprised everyone present, including Commentator himself.
He hadn't expected this colleague, with whom he usually didn't interact much, to recommend him so strongly.
Qin Feng's gaze passed over the commentator and landed on the somewhat nervous Commentator.
He glanced at Commentator's not-so-flashy resume and recalled seeing Commentator silently reviewing his game notes even while waiting outside earlier.
'Oh?' Qin Feng became interested and said to Commentator, 'Then you tell me, if you were to commentate a high-level, evenly matched game, what do you think is the most crucial aspect?'
Commentator took a deep breath, suppressed his nervousness, looked up, and his eyes regained the focus he had at the commentary desk: 'Mr. Qin, I believe the core of high-tier commentary lies in 'prediction' and 'dissection.'
It's not just about reiterating actions that have already occurred on screen, but about analyzing both sides' tactical intentions, key ability cooldowns, and the focus of resource objectives in advance.
When a team fight breaks out, you need to use the fastest speaking speed and the most precise vocabulary to clearly dissect the rapidly changing battlefield, telling the audience why this team fight played out this way, which operation was the decisive factor, so that even viewers who don't understand the details can grasp the essence.
Passion stems from understanding the game, not just simple shouting.'
His answer, devoid of flowery language, directly hit the core of professional commentary.
Qin Feng listened and nodded slightly.
He appreciated people who deeply thought about their profession.
In the subsequent audition and simulated commentary sessions, Commentator demonstrated the skills he had accumulated over many years.
His analysis of game versions, hero strengths and weaknesses, and team composition advantages and disadvantages was clear and logical.
During simulated team fight commentary, his speaking speed was rapid yet every word was clear, and his emotions were full and layered, indeed able to clarify complex team fights.
Ultimately, Qin Feng overruled dissenting opinions and decided to sign this newcomer commentator, who was still inexperienced but had immense potential, and paired him with Yaoyao, a female commentator with a lively style who was good at stirring up the atmosphere.
Starting from the final stage of the National City Hero Championship, the duo of Commentator and Yaoyao began to appear at the official commentary desk.
Initially, some viewers were unfamiliar with them and expressed doubts.
But very quickly, Commentator's clear and insightful analysis and his incisive comments at critical moments won over more and more viewers.
'Teacher Commentator's analysis is spot on!'
'Listening to Commentator commentate, I feel like I've gotten stronger myself!'
'This speaking speed, this clarity, he truly is professionally trained!'
By the Star Sea Cup, facing higher-level professional teams and more complex tactical battles, Commentator was even more prepared, and his commentary became even more effortless.
He could not only accurately predict the BP strategies of various major teams but also, tens of seconds before a team fight erupted, analyze the possible initiation points and tactical objectives of both sides through vision control and personnel deployment.
When Qin Feng showcased those astonishing plays in his broadcast, Commentator was able to provide professional replays and interpretations of the skill mechanics and operational details immediately after the match, making the audience suddenly understand.
He transitioned from a dreamer talking to an empty camera in a rented room to the core commentary desk of the highest-level esports event in the country, using his voice to accompany countless players through every exciting match day.
His rise is a spark ignited by personal perseverance colliding with the opportunities of the era, and it is also an indispensable and vivid chapter in the professionalization process of league of legends and its event system.
His story also tells everyone that in this emerging industry, passion, professionalism, and preparation will ultimately be recognized.