158: The Importance of Explanation in Chapter 158

They gazed at it for a long time. Only after a while did the group reluctantly withdraw their gazes. The stage design was truly top-tier, and the investment must have been substantial. At the very least, for league of legends players, being able to play games on it would be incredibly worthwhile.

"Such a massive investment."

"As expected of Langchao Group."

Colonel Guan couldn't help but mutter.

Hearing his words, Zhao Lei leaned over from the back row.

"This is just one of the venues."

"We've renovated at least dozens of venues of the same scale globally."

"And this is only the third stage. For the final Global Finals in the fourth stage, our setup will be even more extravagant; the opening ceremony won't be any worse than a real World Cup."

Listening to Zhao Lei, a hint of worry appeared in Colonel Guan's eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he spoke up.

"But Mr. Qin, can a game tournament really attract that many viewers?"

He paused, then immediately added,

"I don't mean to belittle it, it's just that the concept of esports has never appeared before. Investing so heavily right from the start—wouldn't that be a bit risky?"

Qin Mo nodded without denying it. After all, entering any unverified market was inherently risky; he just happened to be able to see what these markets would look like once they took shape.

"It is indeed risky, but I happen to like taking risks."

Having said that, he looked at the group.

"So, have you considered it? If esports can truly succeed, your fates will change as well."

The group exchanged glances, all hesitating. Seeing that they weren't speaking, Zhao Lei assumed they had concerns about the compensation and immediately stood up from the back row to add,

"The compensation for league of legends commentators is no worse than that of top-tier commentators for other events, perhaps even higher. You don't need to worry about that at all."

"Plus, you can also work part-time as streamers, which is another significant source of income."

Hearing this, Mi Le shook his head.

"Mr. Qin, we aren't worried about the compensation."

"It's just that after seeing this stage, I've been thinking about a question: Does a game tournament really need professional commentary? Does esports really have to completely copy the model of traditional sports events?"

"We aren't certain whether game commentary actually enhances or detracts from the viewing experience."

Qin Mo didn't answer directly; he turned his head to look at the stage. At the same time, the two giant LED screens above the stage lit up simultaneously. On the screen appeared a team fight scene from a game, with both sides gathering towards the Baron pit, preparing for a team fight to erupt. However, right now, this video only had the game's own sound effects, with no other audio.

The others didn't know what Qin Mo meant, but they each found a seat and sat down. The team fight in the video lasted less than two minutes. The content was quite simple: the blue team, trailing by five thousand gold, fought for their lives, managed to steal the Baron in a desperate situation, and ultimately traded three-for-three, managing to hold onto the Baron buff.

The footage ended right after the team fight, with no follow-up. Soon, the less-than-two-minute video finished, and the screens went dark. Before Colonel Guan and the others could say anything, Qin Mo's voice sounded again.

"That was the match clip without commentary. Next is the clip with commentary."

The next second, the same team fight scene lit up again. The only difference was that the voices of two commentators came out of the speakers.

"The blue team is at a huge disadvantage right now, trailing by five thousand gold. If they lose this Baron, this game probably won't have any suspense left. The red team has already started attacking the Baron."

"Exactly, but it's very hard to fight head-on right now. The minion waves are almost at the tower, and the blue team can't get out at all; they can only defend passively..."

"Wait, the blue team is moving on the front line. How did they sneak out from the jungle!"

The first commentator's voice suddenly rose by half a pitch.

"The blue team wants to make a desperate struggle!"

"They really want to fight this team battle! They want to die standing rather than suffer a slow death!"

"But the jungler's position has been revealed by vision. The red team sent two people to block him; the jungler is completely pinned down."

"Wait a second."

The second commentator's voice followed immediately, his tone filled with irrepressible confusion.

"What is Varus doing alone?"

"He isn't pushing the front line with his teammates; he's flanking to the side of the Dragon pit. This position is too dangerous; if he's discovered by the opponents, it's a free kill."

"It's started, the blue team has initiated the fight."

"Jarvan IV used his E-Q combo to knock up the opposing top laner, but they still can't get through. The jungler can't reach the Dragon pit at all. The red team is reacting very quickly, with the front line absorbing damage while the back line continues to DPS the Baron. They want to secure the Baron first."

"The Baron's health is dropping fast; it only has five thousand health left!"

"Varus has started charging his shot, but he's been spotted by the opposing Support. His position is blocked, and he's still a bit too far from the Dragon pit. He can't get through, and his Q range isn't enough."

The commentators' voices suddenly became urgent, as the match had reached its most critical moment. Moreover, in the footage, the blue team's last bit of vision in the Dragon pit had already been cleared by the red team. Now, for the blue team, there was absolutely no vision of the Dragon pit!

"The vision in the Baron pit has been cleared by the opponents. The blue team has no vision; Varus can't see how much health the Baron has left at all. He'll probably have to leave; going to the front line now might still allow for a fight."

"That's right, his position is now completely disconnected, and he's being body-blocked by the Support. He can't get close to the Dragon pit, let alone with no vision."

"Wait!"

The next second.

"Varus Flashed and fired a blind shot!"

"The Baron is stolen!"

The two commentators shouted almost simultaneously, their voices suddenly rising by who knows how many decibels.

"A blind shot stole the Baron! With this one shot, Varus forcibly snatched the Baron from the jaws of defeat!"

"The red team has completely lost their composure, and their front-line coordination has completely fallen apart."

"Jarvan IV and Azir seized the opportunity, using a combo to instantly burst down the opposing ADC. The blue team traded three-for-three, but they secured the Baron buff. Retreat, retreat!"

"Varus's shot gave the blue team a final breath of life."

The footage froze at the end of the three-for-three team fight, still with no follow-up. But at this moment, after watching this video, almost everyone present except Qin Mo was stunned, with only the sound of everyone's breathing audible.

Jiang Youyou, standing beside Qin Mo, couldn't help but be dazed for a long time, her breathing even quickening.

"With the addition of commentary, it's completely different."

The same footage, the difference between having and not having commentary was too vast. One could even say that for traditional sports, the impact of commentary on the viewing experience wasn't this exaggerated.

Jiang Youyou turned her head to look at Qin Mo.

"The same footage—once there was sound, I was completely pulled into it."

"The first time I watched it, I just felt it was an ordinary game process. The second time, just hearing the commentators' voices, my heart was hanging in suspense until the team fight ended."

Similarly, Colonel Guan and the others nearby were even more dumbfounded. They hadn't expected that for a game tournament, the difference between having and not having commentary would be so huge. You have to know, even in a soccer match, the lack of commentary doesn't have such a significant impact on the audience.

But this league of legends match was completely different. After watching the non-commentary footage just now, he actually wasn't that curious about the outcome. But at this moment, because of the second segment of commentary, the group was completely immersed.

"What was the final result?"

"Did the blue team win?"

Colonel Guan's voice was even a little hoarse.

Qin Mo glanced at him.

"The blue team's squad is called A-Shui Squad, and they ended up turning the game around and winning."

Having said that, he turned around and looked at everyone.

"Now."

"How have you considered it?"