Despite the exciting nature of our favorite eSports, these matches would be far less exciting to watch without the star commentators. These professionals often build dedicated streaming studios, and big leading betting platforms like ggbet-lt.com compete for broadcasting rights to stream these events.
They not only bring personal game experience but also control the audience, maintain tension, and turn the culmination of moments into bursts of emotions. Despite the difficulty, such commentators exist, although the list of the best is difficult to narrow down to 5 or even 10. It is worth remembering that in addition to English-speaking commentators, there are also stars accompanying streams in other languages.
What We Want to See in a Great eSports Commentator
So, what distinguishes the best commentator from a merely good one? I have identified several important criteria for myself:
- Truly deep game knowledge. Often, a good commentator is either a player who at one time actively practiced this type of eSport or a fan of the game who closely follows not only the game but also all the teams. It allows them to predict plays, explain complex decisions, and give insightful analysis.
- Engaging and voice control. Some voices are great for falling asleep, while others are great for experiencing incredible emotions. A good commentator has a voice that you want to listen to and also has a mastery of it, captivating the audience throughout.
- Connection with the audience and co-hosts. It’s nice to listen to one commentator, but when it’s a dialogue between two charismatic experts in the game, everything becomes even more interesting. In addition, it is always noticeable when a commentator is not only aware of the rules of the game but also the mood of the fans, the latest community news, etc.
- Adaptability. The job of a commentator requires flexibility and the ability to quickly navigate the situation. We are talking about live streams, where the outcome of the game is unknown, as are its unexpected turns. Some star commentators not only keep any situation under control but also easily switch from game to game.
Top 5 Best eSports Commentators
It was hard for me to pick just 5 with so many types of esports and skilled commentators. But by focusing on English-speaking professionals, I narrowed it down to these 5.
Dan “Artosis” Stemkoski
Game: StarCraft: Brood War / StarCraft II
Artosis has been casting since the early 2000s and is one of the most influential voices in competitive gaming history. His analysis is sharp, strategic, and educational. It is a joy just listening to him. One of his iconic phrases is “This is why we love StarCraft.”
Anders Blume
Game: Counter-Strike
Andres is one of the most legendary commentators in Counter-Strike history, widely regarded as the voice of CS:GO. He has a voice that you want to listen to over and over. He has commentated nearly every major in CS:GO history.
Tarik “Tarik” Celik
Game: CS:GO, Valorant
While his career started in CS:GO, now he is a wildly popular Valorant co-streamer, analyst, and commentator. He reacts like a passionate fan — no fake hype, just genuine excitement or frustration. Tarik is an example of how a bright personality, together with an understanding of the game, helps make streams a bright event for all viewers. Among his phrases that became memes are: “This guy’s lost in the sauce.”, “He’s not human! Derke is not human!” or “Just save bro.”.
Marc “Caedrel” Lamont
Game: League of Legends
Marc is a former gamer who turned into a caster, so he’s intimately familiar with every aspect of the game. He is highly regarded for his analytical depth, quick wit, and massive presence on co-streams and broadcasts. One of the most iconic moments of his career is a dramatic “He doesn’t know… HE DOESN’T KNOW!” in Worlds 2023 Play-Ins.
Erik “DoA” Lonnquist
Game: StarCraft II, League of Legends, Overwatch, and more
This commentator is known for his versatility. He is well-versed and, most importantly, passionate about many types of eSports. His “It’s the NANOBOSTED EARTHSHATTER! What year is this?! It’s beautiful!” became a running joke about “classic” Overwatch.
Examples of Commentators’ Work That Became History
The real proof that a good commentator turns a sports match into an event is that many of the commentators’ phrases become memes and enter into the everyday lives of players and fans of a particular sport. Here are some iconic examples:
- “Ceeeeeeeeeeeb!”. In the Dota 2 International 2018 Grand Finals, Owen “ODPixel” Davies shouted “Ceeeeeeeeb!” when Ceb’s Axe landed a crucial call, turning the tide for OG. It immediately became a meme and a part of almost any Dota 2 game.
- “Lakad Matatag! Normalin! Normalin!”. Another Dota 2 meme was presented to the public by the voice of Marlon “Lon” Marcelo and Aldrin “Dunoo” Pangan at the ESL One at Katowice in 2018.
- “Faker’s shockwave will find them all!”. Another iconic moment arises when Clayton “CaptainFlowers” Raines complimented Faker’s game-changing Orianna ultimate in the 2017 World Championship Group Stage match.
Being a good commentator is not easy. It requires understanding the rules of the game, all its smallest aspects, knowledge of the players, and the characteristics of the teams. Being the best professional commentator is even more difficult.