Exploring the Controversy: Should VCT Desk Casters and Analysts Listen to Teams’ Communications?

Jacob “mini” Harris, the Valorant coach for Fnatic, began discussing VCT desk casters and analysts being permitted to listen in on teams’ communications during matches. Several players, coaches, and on-air talent joined the discussion.  In esports, team communication is a closely kept secret. The fundamental justification behind this is that if it becomes public, other teams will be able to learn about your tactics and procedures. In fact, it is so crucial that it led to a fight between the coaches of NRG and EG, who then leaked scrim VODs. 

Therefore, it shouldn’t be surprising that coaches are instinctively wary of having others outside the squad listen in on their communications. This is what desk analysts and casters can do because of VCT’s production.  Mini, the Valorant coach for Fnatic, argued over this, calling it “very weird” that analysts were permitted to do so. 

If casters should be permitted to listen in on team communications, the Fnatic Valorant coach wonders

The discussion was initially generated in reaction to a broadcast feature on team communications on VCT Americas. Many of America’s top performers have been open about their ability to hear transmissions. The presenter of VCT Americas, Alex “Goldenboy” Mendez, responded, “We have no intention of saying anything that would hurt the players,” adding that the goal is to keep the broadcast portions as engaging as possible. 

Mini expressed no qualms about the aims and trusted in the implementation, although it is evident that he had some reservations. It may go wrong in a variety of ways, but it simply doesn’t feel right. Drew “Drew Spark” Spark-Whitworth, the assistant coach for the Sentinels, added his two cents, saying: “While I think it’s important for talent to be informed on team structures to help their work, I’m not a fan of anything that will influence how players communicate in the server.”

They don’t need to hear their communications examined on a podcast a few days later. Maintaining Teamspeak as a secure area for open dialogue is crucial.

Some participants in the discussion were more concerned with the “cringe” factor, with Cloud9’s Jake “Jake” Anderson joking, “I will be saying the most random s***.” I didn’t even consider the “I better not have said some cringe/terrible s***” approach, Mini stated in response. 

However, only some desk talent are keen on team communications. Jakub “Lothar” Szygulski, an EMEA analyst, stated in a blog post, “I’m not sure about other people, but me, Yinsu, and Kaquka said to our EMEA production that we don’t want to hear the comms and we shouldn’t have them because of competitive integrity.”

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