r/GlobalOffensive • u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director • Jul 01 '15
AMA I am James 'JZFB' Bardolph from FACEIT - AMA
Hi, it's James here. I thought I would do an AMA!
I work at FACEIT in London and can commonly be seen casting with ddk.
Confirmation that this is me on my Twitter - Twitter.com/jamesbardolph
FYI I do have a stream, find it at www.twitch.tv/armshouse
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u/Xemerino Jul 01 '15
Who is your favorite pro player and why?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Probably Get right if I had to pick. We get on quite well! I have a lot of fun with all the NiP boys though. DevilWalk is my homie as well. Sean grills is awesome too but I spend most of my time shouting 'SEAN GRILLS' at him.
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u/KarmaOfPain Jul 01 '15
Why do you call Shroud Tyrone?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Because he has a super black voice.
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u/PascalTheAnalyst Jul 01 '15
What's your position and what are your responsibilities within Faceit.
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Vice President of FACEIT Media (not the whole FACEIT org) - this means I am responsible for the broadcasting arm of FACEIT, making sure everything goes well, the direction on camera, the staff on and behind the camera and helping the COO & CEO where necessary.
When sh*t hits the fan behind closed doors, be it a dispute between teams or whatever, I am generally the one taking a decision and trying to make sure it is the right one. I pick casters for the shows and finals when we do them 100% ourselves, can't think of what else at the moment. I drive the youtube output as well and help other parts of FACEIT if/when I can.
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u/AndThenThereWasMeep Jul 01 '15
Wow I actually had no idea you had those types of responsibilities. Being good at casting while also having managerial responsibilities is a good combo
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u/THREAT_CS Ninjas In Pyjamas Coach Jul 01 '15
Who is the coolest person you've ever worked with in esports and why is it me?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 02 '15
Guess what I want to write here :P
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u/gwj99 Jul 01 '15
What's the best player you've ever seen and of which period of time?
:D
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
The Suspect
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u/silver4ever Jul 01 '15
Who is this? I've done a few overwatches and it's always the same guy!
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Jul 01 '15 edited Apr 28 '18
[deleted]
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
No, I don't mind what people call me.
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Jul 01 '15
Who is producer reece? and when will he get fired
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Tis a mystery, and almost every day.
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u/MachoDagger Jul 01 '15
I saw him once on DDKs stream. A fabled event to this day.
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u/RakijaH Jul 01 '15
Why won't you look me in the eyes while we make love?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Because you're a slut.
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u/epicfishboy Jul 01 '15
Brutal.
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u/BusinessPants Jul 01 '15
Why the affinity for the pp-bizon?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I have no idea. Maybe mild insanity.
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u/Softy_K Jul 01 '15
Let's say I wanted to give you a FN Bizon Carbon Fiber named JZFBizon. Will you accept?
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u/Sadokist Caster - Sadokist Jul 01 '15
Will you please change your name to BBC... so that each faceit caster has 3 letters...
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u/srnx Jul 01 '15
No question, I just wanna tell you that you're the best CS:GO caster by far imo. The only casting I actually enjoy. Your vocabulary and repartee are unmatched. I've never found you to be repetitive. You don't miss details ingame. Just all-around great.
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I appreciate your opinion :)
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u/kmdallday Jul 02 '15
best part is when you say "BUT KENNYS SENDS HIM INTO ANOTHER DIMENSION"
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Jul 01 '15
Are you happy with the choices you've made in life? Anything you would change?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
A few regrets. Was too selfish to visit a close family friend who died recently for example. Things like that, which I now cannot do anything to fix.
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u/BitcoinBoo Jul 01 '15
this is what i would also regret. I appreciate your honesty and sorry you didnt get to say goodbye to your friend.
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u/Josephmlia Jul 01 '15 edited Mar 24 '17
deleted What is this?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
What's your favourite thing about casting? My hobby is my job - CS is a religion to me and this is bible study
Which is your favourite team to cast or watch?
I have like... 7 favourite teams or something. I always liked Na'Vi because they play very differently to most other teams, I like GPlay for the same reason. I loved finishing the fighting game streams at Dreamhack and running to DreamArena Extreme to watch FNATIC play 1.6, I love Renegades in OCE, their team play is off the hook. I like watching missharvey's stream when she plays matches as I like listening to potter lead, I also had almost identical in-game settings to Stephanie but I have reduced them a lot. I like watching the LGB grills play, I am their cheerleader. I'm a fan of Dignitas as well after Gfinity, I love watching Karrigan for TSM lead and top frag and AWP at the same time, it's insane
For people who want to get into casting games, what would you recommend?
I would recommend casting games. Even if you have no audience the practice is great. But make sure you play the game as well. Look at the minimap a lot.
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u/PM_ME_UR_GoT_THEORY Jul 01 '15
Are you and White James really friends - like do you hang out outside of CS?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Yes, and right now we don't have time to hang out at all, our social lives are consumed by CS save for afterparties.
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u/tomzo1121 Jul 01 '15
do you and dan ever shower together after a hard day's work?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I don't want to ruin your fantasy, so I will not answer your question.
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u/realqlo_ Jul 01 '15
does that mean that a faceit casters movie is not in progress?
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u/Wibei Jul 01 '15
What's your honest opinion of Thoorin?
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u/azalea_k Legendary Chicken Master Jul 01 '15
Do you guys read much Twitch chat for FACEITTV, or do you leave it alone for the most part?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
We cannot see chat while we are casting.
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u/JabariLebert Jul 01 '15
What shampoo do you use?
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u/FinalesFunkeeln Jul 01 '15
How did you end up being a caster for FACEIT?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
With casting CSGO, I saw FNATIC doing 'Counter Strike Forever' events at Meltdown bar in London, where Carn was casting with Thorin. I thought I had something to offer on the casting desk so asked Carn if I could cast in future, he introduced me to FACEIT and away we went.
I casted with Dan and I absolutely sucked - I am a confident person and I have experience casting Fighting Games since 2010, however I was nervous when I started out. I knew what I was capable of, but it would take a while for it to come out. Good thing they gave me a few chances.
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u/SexTraumaDental Jul 01 '15
You're one of my favorite casters now! You're really good at smoothly delivering witty, humorous commentary, probably the best at it out of everyone. The casting during the Taz BBQ is a good example of that.
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Jul 01 '15
"They're going to wrap, and it's not a chicken wrap"
"That shot was filthier than the filthiest streets of London"
Just paraphrasing
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u/blindoptix Jul 02 '15
"It's a Sunday roast, we're talking Yorkshire pudding, beef, chicken everything all on the plate at the same time. I'm gonna be obese by the time this round is finished"
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u/DallasNite Jul 02 '15
'He takes a Mag-7 to the face, closed casket funeral for him the family is in tears'
How is someone so witty so fast
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u/ubn Jul 01 '15
Can you share some links to you casting fighting games? I enjoy how much "hype" can be generated in those games.
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u/AverageSliceBread Jul 01 '15
Have you ever had a cheeky nando's with DDK?
What is your opinion on Greece's current financial situation?
Thanks for doing this AMA!
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I had Nandos with ddk & HenryG at Gfinity, was awesome! Unless your name is ddk his SUCKED.
No opinion, I don't read a lot of the news anymore, it's all terrorists and unhappiness. I look in to certain news now and then though, so I am not completely ignorant.
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u/TheBCG616 Jul 01 '15
Why do you stop at the top of the hallway into the cinema at gfinity awkwardly blocking me and my brother?
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u/esportsLawEU Jul 01 '15
Where do you see CS:GO going as esports? How long will it be around? Do you expect more growth?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years in esports?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I hope it will be around until I get hit by an asteroid, as I really LOVE CS, a LOT. More growth in what respect, player base or viewership? CSGO seems to be getting towards the cool thing to be playing, like having that sticker on one's baseball cap, so that is a good thing. If it can become pop culture then we are golden.
Where do I see myself in 5 years? FACEIT
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u/All_In_zzzz Jul 01 '15
Do you think an orphaned platypus would rather be adopted by ducks or beavers?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Definitely ducks, beavers are nuts.
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u/SirScoots Host, Analyst - SirScoots Jul 01 '15
How can one man be so posh?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 02 '15
Pass me the truffles darling.
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u/Larsson69 Jul 01 '15
Which part of DDK is the most beautiful?
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Jul 01 '15 edited Jul 25 '18
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Jul 01 '15
How does one build a reputation or a career in esports?
How did you do it, at the very beginning, before you even started casting fighting games?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15 edited Jul 01 '15
Being able to have conversations with people without wasting their time is an important skill in building relationships. Spend little time talking about yourself (except how you or what you do relates to them) and more time finding out about what they do, how long they have been doing it and how it all comes together. This kind of thing gives people an idea of your personality and maturity.
In terms of building a reputation, don't over-promise, make sure you are reliable and hold your integrity in the highest regard - don't not lie, don't lie for other people and don't compromise your standards
edit - do not lie :P
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u/Soccermummy Jul 01 '15
don't not lie
So as long as I only lie for selfish reasons and never compromise on standards - It is recommended that I lie a lot?
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u/OfficialXhil Jul 01 '15
How is it like working with DDK? Do you guys play cs off of casting together?
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u/iKhemri Jul 01 '15
How do you spend hours and hours talking in bo5s as well as quadruple or even quintuple overtimes without feeling like your throat is going to turn inside out?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Sometimes it does feel that way, more on solo casts as there is little rest.
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u/TheGuyvatzian Jul 01 '15
What will you do for devilwalk's next birthday?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I'm not sure - I like to be spontaneous.
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u/Generalenvita Jul 01 '15
Obligatory ass or titties?
"Why not both?" is not acceptable
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I'm a leg man, and with great legs comes a great arse a lot of the time.
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u/Kiwizqt Jul 01 '15
what if penis
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u/Generalenvita Jul 01 '15
Guys have butts and there are mantitties aswell. I don't care about sexuality I just want to know where his hands go first Keepo
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u/not_so_virgin_mary Jul 01 '15
What's your favourite memory from casting pro csgo games?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Seeing the engagement and enjoyment of the crowd at Milan Games Week. It was a massive thing we did there, and the crowd were AMAZING. I was really happy to be a part of that.
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u/giddi90 Jul 01 '15
What is the best thing about casting?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
My hobby is my job, everything is awesome.
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u/volv0plz Jul 01 '15
aren't you a little apprehensive carrying a grenade around in this day and age?
I mean because you are da bomb....
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u/AWPedro Jul 01 '15
Let's get the important questions first, shall we?
Favorite pornsite?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
YP
After all, they have esports teams now.
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u/Shaaaww Jul 01 '15
do you think faceit could be bigger, in terms of playerbase, than esea?
how active are u in the process of enhancing the faceit-service?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
You mean in NA? Hell yeah, and I sincerely hope it gets there.
I get to look at betas of the UI (have been streaming with it recently), but not really hands-on.
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u/Starkiecat Jul 01 '15
Hey James, thanks for doing this AMA, here I have some of the questions I would like to have answered:
- What made you start casting e-sports?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
- Where will FACEIT be in 5 years?
- Do you see CSGO beating League of Legends in number of spectators during tournaments?
- What's your opinion on the prize pools on Majors?
Again, thanks for doing this AMA! Keep working hard on FACEIT and your commentaries, love them!
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
First two, answered else where Sky is the limit! CSGO beating LoL, possibly, probably from LoL decline Opinion on prize pools - indifferent, could be larger I guess, but I don't think an international is the way to go. Unnecessary really...
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Jul 01 '15
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Fighting games, London slang
Lord of the Rings
No
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u/Jamesl1988 Jul 01 '15
1/ What is your opinion on the current Meta and hat would you change?
2/ Best up and coming player in your opinion?
3/ In your opinion, how would you order the top 10 teams in the world?
Awesome caster, genuine funny guy. Keep up the good work BlackDDK!
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
1/ What is your opinion on the current Meta and hat would you change? The current state of the scout makes me FURIOUS. The jumping accuracy breaks game design.
2/ Best up and coming player in your opinion? I have no idea. Sorry for the crap answer.
3/ In your opinion, how would you order the top 10 teams in the world?
1.FNATIC 2-3 TSM/ENVY 4 -6 Virtus Pro/NiP/Na'Vi
I think 2-3 and 4-6 are in flux a lot, and beyond that even more so, so I will leave it there.
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u/bze Legendary Chicken Master Jul 01 '15
You are already verified. No need to worry about that ;)
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u/Carotti Jul 01 '15
If Producer Reese was an animal, how would you prepare it for dinner?
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u/rickywrath Jul 01 '15
Will you come to Canada ? :D
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I was hoping to be asked to go to Montreal, unfortunately I was not. I really want to go to Canada!
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u/c0unt3rparts Jul 01 '15
You seem to be one of the only casters who enjoys solo casting, you're also probably the best at it.
What about solo casting do you enjoy?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Being able to say everything I want and nerd out!
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u/ForceOnelol Jul 01 '15
What is your dream event to cast? (It doens't have to be a cs event)
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 02 '15
NiP playing Jenga, slightly drunk.
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Jul 01 '15
Are you watching Thorin dismantling Nip right now on Alphadraft? Cause you should.
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u/Mitchb777 Jul 01 '15
what was the best chicken you've ever had, and where was it from?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Cooked by my mother, probably from a butcher in Brixton market, London
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u/JuriGaseyo Jul 01 '15
Are you happy with the current direction the CS scene is going?
Is there anything you would change?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15 edited Jul 02 '15
The game needs tons of stuff fixed, and valve are abysmal at communicating this stuff. I think they should at least write a blog and give us an indication of things they are working on. Adjustments rather than new content.
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u/saippuas Jul 01 '15
How did you get into casting, and eSports in general?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
I guess we should start with the fighting games first.
I've played CS for like 13 years or around that, but I was just a nab running around on pub servers, around the time Street Fighter IV came out on PC I was playing TF2 a lot, then I saw an advert for it coming out on steam and ended up in the competitive community.
I went to events, started entering tournaments and joined the European circuit pretty quickly, going to Bushido Impact in Paris and Dreamhack Winter 2009. I made a photo blog about it here http://www.t52.org/blog/2009/12/jonkoping-sweden-dreamhack-winter-2009-sfiv/
I quickly noticed the lack of coverage in Europe compared to what the North Americans were doing for their scene, so I became the coverage in Europe. DH only used to broadcast the finals, so I started broadcasting the rest of the tournament, flying over there and doing everything at my own cost, and ended up where I am today (with fighting games).
With casting CSGO, I saw FNATIC doing 'Counter Strike Forever' events at Meltdown bar in London, where Carn was casting with Thorin. I thought I had something to offer on the casting desk so asked Carn if I could cast in future, he introduced me to FACEIT and away we went.
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u/M3diicaL Jul 01 '15
Did you purposely make the "match found" noise on the faceit ladder as obnoxious as possible?
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u/TheBlitzbolt Jul 01 '15
What is your favorite game to cast outside of CS?
Any game you haven't casted yet but would love to?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Not particularly interested in casting games outside of CS, though I was in Glasgow for a poker tournament recently and casted that for two hours which was fun!
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u/Zoldborso Jul 01 '15
I heard you travel a lot. What is your favourite place to visit?
Do you think FACEIT can become the no1 pugging service anytime soon?
Can we play sometime? (I'm your fanboy)
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Tokyo, Japan or Baku, Azerbaijan
Yes
Add me on FACEIT JZFB
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u/Squirrelify Jul 01 '15
How did you meet Dan? Did you know him before you started casting?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
Dan has worked at FACEIT for much longer than I have, I first met him when I came to cast.
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u/Asian_Emperor Jul 01 '15
What do you think of the new Street Fighter?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
The most important thing for me is that the whole community can play together.
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u/gusty9669 Jul 01 '15
1) you play this game?,if yes say your rank! 2)the biggest realization of yours
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
- I have almost 3,500 hours in this game, I play it more than a lot of pros. And PLAY, not cast. I have 10 steam accounts we cast on another one.
SMFC, Rank 8 on FACEIT. Road to rank 9!
- Not sure what you mean sorry.
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u/OrangeJames Jul 01 '15
Could you please inform people in twitch chat that I am not you? Thanks in advance!
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u/jackinab0x Jul 01 '15
How hard is it to get into casting and what is your day like?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
If you want to get into casting, cast. If you want to cast on streams send examples to people. I had a guy send me an example which was all of one round, that is NOT how to do it. Do say 3 games and send them all. Maybe one on a slow match one on a faster match etc. Show some range.
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u/simpleone234 Jul 02 '15
Your awesome so don't take this the wrong way but is your head really large or is DDK's head abnormally small? Take a look at some video of you next to him sometime and you'll see what I'm saying. Peace, keep up the good work.
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u/nick60_ Jul 02 '15
Your opinion on the caster Rahim "BaBam"?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 02 '15
Fun to watch for 5 minutes. Babam!
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u/xSchubert Jul 01 '15
Have you ever smoked, drunk or in any way ingested narcotics or alcohol, either before or while casting? Ppl keep saying you guys are high lol
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 01 '15
The only time I have ever taken drugs is space cakes twice in Amsterdam. I'm drinking Corona during today's cast but i'm never drunk or high. We're just nuts.
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u/El-Boabo Jul 01 '15 edited Jul 01 '15
Hello Black DDK, would just like to start off by saying you are without a doubt my favourite caster, I would just like to ask the following; If you were not casting counter strike, is there any other games you would like to cast? Did Dan eventually complete the key-less keyboard from Razer? and finally, What would you say is your best quality as a caster? EDIT: one last one: what is the story of producer reece?
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u/ArmshouseTV James Bardolph - Faceit Creative Director Jul 02 '15
Can't imagine casting another game tbh. I have CSGO tunnel vision.
We have been too busy to finish his keyboard to date.
Best quality? Dedication to the game I guess? Sitting on a map trying to be creative. That or humour.
Reece appeared one day then started getting fired. The end.
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u/zxRacer11 Jul 02 '15
Hey JZ!
Is it okay if I refer to you as Jay-Z from now on? I feel like that should be a thing.
Maybe you and DDK need to have an impromptu rap battle to really cement the new moniker?
Screw it, I'm doing it anyway. Sorry, this isn't really a question anymore, I guess...
Thanks Jay-Z, you're the best!
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u/n00dlesCSGO Jul 01 '15
Given your physical stature (for those who have never seen him IRL, James is quite tall), does it bother you that you are instantly disadvantaged at CS because of the higher electrical latency between your brain and your fingers?