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Greetings,

I have noticed that video battle reports are becoming the norm, and written/photo ones are on the decline. I was curious what your thoughts were about this change in model, your preference, why the shift, and if you think this is helping or hinder the growth of our hobby.

I did not make this a poll, so share your opinions.

I like a mix, though it really depends on the quality of the battle reports.

Something like Reecius's battle reports with the (relatively) stable camera, cool intro and other well-thought-out effects works well to cover a lot of information without having to sit there and read through everything. Plus, it can add to the excitement at times depending on the people playing the game.

On the other hand, the "shaky camera" syndrome can be a death sentence to my interest in ANY report. I just can't put in enough interest to watch if you can't put in enough interest to make sure the viewers aren't being taken through a vomit coaster.

The same sort of thing applies to written reports, although obviously the standards are a bit lower compared to video reports. As long as you have some really nice shots of the game as it progresses, I'm good with checking it out.

Written battle reports with pictures, when done well, are my preference. ArbitorIan and Gordy2000 do fantastic jobs here on Dakka. I suspect that video batreps are more popular mainly because they're easier to do. But, there are some guys on YouTube who do a pretty good job: I'm subbed to StrikingScorpion82, SkaredCast and winters SEO. Reecius' reports are sometimes fun to watch, but they don't entirely scratch my itch for a thematic game.

Whether video or written, you have to have high-res images/video, good lighting, FULLY-PAINTED minis and terrain, and a good grasp of the english language, IMO.

WargamerGirl's batreps on youtube are some of the most professional ones I've seen. The high quality makes them very enjoyable to watch. Totally different experience from just reading about it in pictures, but I think both can be good mediums. I used to really enjoy the batreps in older White Dwarfs, were the style of writing and pictures made the reports feel quite narrative.

Both are good tools, if used right. Both can also be unenjoyable if done wrong.

Articles just prefer it rather than watch a one hour or more video

I find them to be a mix and don't like some of them as much as narrative / pics. A good video batrep does the following:

1) Gets the rules right. Glaring omissions and errors really put me off.

2) The camera stays stable and focused on the models. It's hard when the camera is too wobbly or stays focused (for a long time) on something unrelated while the narrator explains his perspective on what's going on.

3) Is free from too much background music. It's fine to have music in there, but sometimes a loud heavy metal band makes a video unwatchable.

4) Is narrated by someone with a genuine interest in the game. There are too many videos out there where the narrator is distracted by something else and doesn't really know what's going on.

5) Features a match between 2 competent players. I have seen too many batreps where one player demolishes the other. It's almost not worth publishing ones where there's a big difference in skill level.

6) Does something interesting. Watching the same armies fight over and over again is less than compelling.

7) Is free from confessionals. Sometimes it's really unappealing to hear what someone's strategy is for 5 minutes in the middle of a video, I find myself fast forwarding to the next part of the game.

8) Is not too long. 30 minutes is a good amount of time for a batrep. 1 hour can be good but is generally too long to watch in a single sitting.

I've been watching a load of SkavenInAZ's youtube reps.

They're basically a narrated slide show, but he knows his stuff and as I'm starting Skaven soon, he's a great resource.

My only problem is sometimes, his voice sounds so dry that I have to go and neck a pint of juice halfway through!

I've tried a few of MWG's but the main guy (Mat?) is annoying as hell, and they get soooo much stuff wrong. I'm not a pro (just barely above a noob!) but I'd expect these guys to be more clued up.

I would like a video batrep, but so many of them desperately need editing. Even 30 minutes is too long when a lot of extraneous stuff is left in.

If you're posting a video, you should assume that your viewer can browse the internet. You could post an actual army LIST with pics of the unit (rather than panning across it pointing them out, especially when you don't remember what they are, or what they are called).

I also don't understand why video batreps often (almost always?) skip the entire player turn, then recap what happened. If I wanted to watch a static image of the battlefield accompanied by your voiceover, I don't NEED to see a VIDEO batrep. You could post still pics and an audio file. If you are actually going to do a video batrep, then give me some reason to watch video. We don't watch TV to see the cameraman film a photo while someone tells you what happened.

I think this is largely due to the fact that people just want to play a game, and happen to decide to film it. They aren't going into the game thinking of how to run that game so that it makes an effective video presentation of the game. They just hold a camera and play. I understand that, as it takes a lot of extra work otherwise, but it makes the resultant video almost unwatchable to me.

While batreps with pics and diagrams are technically more simplistic, they require someone to plan ahead (and take pics at appropriate times) and plan on working on the product after the game too. Thus, I think they are often actually composed more thoughtfully.

I prefer written ones with photos. jy2's reports generally fit the bill for me.

The main reason is I don't want to settle in to watch an hour+ video.

If you want to post a video BR, then a summary with army lists in the post helps me to decide if I want to set aside the time to watch it.

Most video bat reps take place at a club or store and therefore have LOTS of background noise, voices and an echo to boot. Very annoying. Also, anything over half an hour puts me to sleep.