Proposed Analyst Guidelines

[Stuka87]

So I figured I would post this here. Partly to get the input of others, and partly because I do not have Adams email :)

I debated on making it very detailed in long, or shorter with some basic guidelines. I opted for the shorter one as I figured it was more likely that people would actually read it. Let me know what you guys think. I am sure there is other stuff that can be added without turning it into a multi page in depth user manual.

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General Guidelines for being a LAG TV Analyst

There are several things to take into consideration when reviewing a Starcraft 2 replay. Video content, length, action, player skill, among many others. Below are some general guidelines to follow to help insure that Jeff and Adam do not have to spend hours finding a replay to cast.

First, as a general rule, please do not review replays that you have uploaded yourself!

How many stars should I rate?
While the number of stars is highly suggestive and ultimately up to the opinion of the viewer, there are some basic guidelines that Analyst should follow so that everybody is on the same level.

1 Star - The game is extremely bad. Typically reserved for 3 minute all ins and games that are just unwatchable.
2 Stars - The game has flaws that would make it uninteresting to cast.
3 Stars - Standard average game. Nothing exceptional, but nothing terribly bad either.
4 Stars - Above average game that is overall enjoyable to watch.
5 Stars - An outstanding game that stands above the rest. A game that is very enjoyable and would be an excellent game to cast.

First Reviewer:
If you are the first person to review a replay, add some basic details such as how long the replay is, and what the basic premiss of the game is. These details come in handy when trying to find a good game to cast without having to watch all of the suggested replays.

When to Suggest a Replay:
    - A replay should be set to "Suggested" after it has received 3-4 strong (4-5 star) reviews. This insures that there is a consensus as to how good the replay is.
    - Please do not set excessively long replays to suggested. While Jeff and Adam may be masters and filling the voids of a bad/long replay with random conversations, lets try and make it so that they do not have to fill the voids in a 35 minute replay.

When to Reject a Replay:
While there are many reasons to reject a replay, here are a few guidelines.
    - If the replay file will not open.
    - If the replay is a very short (less than 5 minutes) all in type game.
    - If the replay is excessively long (35+ minutes), its too long to provide a good cast.
    - If the replay has received 3-4 poor reviews (1-2 stars).

[Adam [NovaWar]]

This looks pretty good. The only thing I would add in here is something about rating games in relation to the league they take place in. Just because the game is bronze or silver doesn't mean it needs a 1-3 star rating. Good games, and entertaining games happen at all levels and so analysts need to take the league into consideration when reviewing based on the competence of play.

I would also change the top line about reviewing your own game to something a bit more strict. Something along the lines of:

Please note: You are NOT to review your own games for any reason whatsoever. Those who are found to have reviewed their own game will be subject to demotion immediately. Similarly, you should not favorably review a friends game just because you know them.

[Stuka87]

Ok, will add that tonight.

-Stuka

[Thongalong]

Stuka,

Your guidelines looks pretty good. Pretty much Adam's feedback was summed it up, lol.

I think you should include:
If you have questions & concerns, please send an email to community@lagtv, subject line: LAGTV Analyst question.

Something like that, we need to keep saying it over and over so they don't post analyst topic over the place, lol. It will make Adam and the others' jobs a lot easier.

Since we are setting up guidelines, I think an Analyst section would be needed. Then we can move all the threads there and keep it out of members way. It will keep it organized and out of irrelevant topics in threads.

[Stuka87]

Ok, here is an updated version. The new sections are in blue. I also included a section on how often an Analyst is expected to rate reviews as it seams to be a common question in the forums. I added the part at the end to try and give Analyst a sense of purpose. "This" is why we are here, take some pride in your work.

-Stuka

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General Guidelines for being a LAG TV Analyst

There are several things to take into consideration when reviewing a Starcraft 2 replay. Video content, length, action, player skill, among many others. Below are some general guidelines to follow to help insure that Jeff and Adam do not have to spend hours finding a replay to cast.

Please Note: You are NOT to review your own games for any reason whatsoever. Those who are found to have reviewed their own game will be subject to demotion immediately. Similarly, you should not favorably review a friends game just because you know them.

How many stars should I rate?
While the number of stars is highly suggestive and ultimately up to the opinion of the viewer, there are some basic guidelines that Analyst should follow so that everybody is on the same level.

1 Star - The game is extremely bad. Typically reserved for 3 minute all ins and games that are just unwatchable.
2 Stars - The game has flaws that would make it uninteresting to cast.
3 Stars - Standard average game. Nothing exceptional, but nothing terribly bad either.
4 Stars - Above average game that is overall enjoyable to watch.
5 Stars - An outstanding game that stands above the rest. A game that is very enjoyable and would be an excellent game to cast.

A Note on Leagues: Games should be rated based on their quality for the league.  A diamond league game is expected to have solid player skills. However, a bronze league game typically will not have the same skill level.  A game should not be rated low solely due to a lack of player skill. Some of the best "When Cheese Fails" episodes were "Wood" league games. Entertainment value is more important than how well players actually played.

How Often Should I Rate?
Reviewing replays is something that is done in an Analyst's spare time. They are not expected to review 100 games a week. But they are expected to help out when they can. If an Analyst does not review any games for a few weeks, there is a chance that their position will be revoked and given to somebody else.

First Reviewer:
If you are the first person to review a replay, add some basic details such as how long the replay is, and what the basic premiss of the game is. These details come in handy when trying to find a good game to cast without having to watch all of the suggested replays.

When to Suggest a Replay:
    - A replay should be set to "Suggested" after it has received 3-4 strong (4-5 star) reviews. This insures that     there is a consensus as to how good the replay is.
    - Please do not set excessively long replays to suggested. While Jeff and Adam may be masters and filling the     voids of a bad/long replay with random conversations, lets try and make it so that they do not have to fill the voids     in a 35 minute replay.

When to Reject a Replay:
While there are many reasons to reject a replay, here are a few guidelines.
    - If the replay file will not open.
    - If the replay is a very short (less than 5 minutes) all in type game.
    - If the replay is excessively long (35+ minutes), its too long to provide a good cast.
    - If the replay has received 3-4 poor reviews (1-2 stars).

Its Your Duty
Remember that the duty of an Analyst is to take the load of reviewing replays off of Adam and Jeff. If games are set to "Suggested" that are not of good quality, it means they are going to have to go back to digging through replays, which is what the Analyst are here to prevent. Its better to give a quality review on a few games, than a subpar review on many games. It is a privilege to an Analyst, so take pride in being one.

[Adam Morehouse]

This looks good to me!

[Stuka87]

Then we just need to figure out where to put it :)

[Thongalong]

I previously asked to set up an Analyst thread in Support Section. That way we move all the analysts threads/posts there and have it stay out of the members' way. Also, they don't overwhelm the forum activity like I did in the past.

Also, the guidelines look good!

[Adam Morehouse]

Place it in the same thread as the Analyst Faq. It doesn't need to be it's own thing.

[Thongalong]

That's fine with me.

Stuka, you want to create a thread in the User FAQ? One of us will pinned and locked it. Then, I'll link "Is there any guidelines?" to your thread.

Does that sound good to you?

[Stuka87]

Yup, will create it later today when I have a few moments.

[Stuka87]

The analyst FAQ is locked, so I cannot edit it to add this. Thongalong, if you can add the text below to that post that would be great. The version below has a fixed typo, so dont use the ones above. This can either replace the existing one, or be an addition to it.

General Guidelines for being a LAG TV Analyst

There are several things to take into consideration when reviewing a Starcraft 2 replay. Video content, length, action, player skill, among many others. Below are some general guidelines to follow to help insure that Jeff and Adam do not have to spend hours finding a replay to cast.

Please Note: You are NOT to review your own games for any reason whatsoever. Those who are found to have reviewed their own game will be subject to demotion immediately. Similarly, you should not favorably review a friends game just because you know them.

How Many Stars Should I Rate?

While the number of stars is highly suggestive and ultimately up to the opinion of the viewer, there are some basic guidelines that Analyst should follow so that everybody is on the same level.

1 Star - The game is extremely bad. Typically reserved for 3 minute all ins and games that are just unwatchable.
2 Stars - The game has flaws that would make it uninteresting to cast.
3 Stars - Standard average game. Nothing exceptional, but nothing terribly bad either.
4 Stars - Above average game that is overall enjoyable to watch.
5 Stars - An outstanding game that stands above the rest. A game that is very enjoyable and would be an excellent game to cast.

A note on Leagues: Games should be rated based on their quality for the league.  A diamond league game is expected to have solid player skills. However, a bronze league game typically will not have the same skill level.  A game should not be rated low solely due to a lack of player skill. Some of the best "When Cheese Fails" episodes were "Wood" league games. Entertainment value is more important than how well players actually played.

How Often Should I Rate?
Reviewing replays is something that is done in an Analyst's spare time. They are not expected to review 100 games a week. But they are expected to help out when they can. If an Analyst does not review any games for a few weeks, there is a chance that their position will be revoked and given to somebody else.

First Reviewer:
If you are the first person to review a replay, add some basic details such as how long the replay is, and what the basic premiss of the game is. These details come in handy when trying to find a good game to cast without having to watch all of the suggested replays.

When to Suggest a Replay:
    - A replay should be set to "Suggested" after it has received 3-4 strong (4-5 star) reviews. This insures that     there is a consensus as to how good the replay is.
    - Please do not set excessively long replays to suggested. While Jeff and Adam may be masters and filling the     voids of a bad/long replay with random conversations, lets try and make it so that they do not have to fill the voids     in a 35 minute replay.

When to Reject a Replay:
While there are many reasons to reject a replay, here are a few guidelines.
    - If the replay file will not open.
    - If the replay is a very short (less than 5 minutes) all in type game.
    - If the replay is excessively long (35+ minutes), its too long to provide a good cast.
    - If the replay has received 3-4 poor reviews (1-2 stars).

Its Your Duty
Remember that the duty of an Analyst is to take the load of reviewing replays off of Adam and Jeff. If games are set to "Suggested" that are not of good quality, it means they are going to have to go back to digging through replays, which is what the Analysts are here to prevent. Its better to give a quality review on a few games, than a subpar review on many games. It is a privilege to an Analyst, so take pride in being one.