From all the reading Ive done, Ill summarize the main points from eXtine's view the way they're presented, as well as the points (the way I understand it to be) of the other people involved. This is to try and create an unbiased opinion on the matter.
- eXtv communicates with several casters and prepares to organize a shoutcast crew for the upcoming event. Plans are created, however they are not confirmed at this time.
- eXtv extends an offer to ESEA to shoutcast the matches locally, requesting compensation to help cover costs for travel and other work for the event.
- ESEA declines the offer, asking instead if the same coverage can be done cheaper, or free.
- eXtv counterpoints that there needs to be some form of compensation is needed for those willing to take the time to drop their schedules/travel/cast the event, of which nothing is agreed upon to any final extent between ESEA and eXtv.
- As such, eXtv decides that casting the games off-site is the best resolution to the situation, and begins preparations.
- Upon looking at options for the event, some of the casters decide that casting the event under ESEA-Orange would allow a larger viewerbase in total, helping to grow to community in its own way.
- A lack of communication results in confusion between both parties.
So, to summarize, here is another opinion to throw into the mix:
I think both casters and the companies involved needed to have better paths of communication to avoid a scenario like this. While i empathize with eXtine, after seeing both sides of the story, I dont think anyone's at fault. I dont blame eXtv from requesting compensation when offering to cast the event, its a big undertaking, and hard work should be rewarded. eXtv presented one option, and when ESEA presented the other option, the decision is up to the casters themselves. When the decision was made, anyone involved in the options should have been notified.
They decided to go with ESEA, and thats fine. Ill look forward to the coverage. But I do think eXtv should have been contacted with something like "hey, we've decided that ESEA's option is the one we've decided to do...etc." and at least everyone knows where everyone stands. While it looks unprofessional, there isnt a way to know exactly how concrete eXtv's option stood when he spoke with the casters so in some cases it may have looked like ESEA was the only solid option when ESEA declined eXtv's offer. I think that this should be as far as this needs to go, and I look forward to seeing what ESEA Orange will bring for the event.
TL;DR Everyone just needs to talk to each other more <3