What different review inputs can and cannot show
| Input | Useful for | Limit to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Player recording | Seeing the view, crosshair, HUD and visible decisions. | Cannot reliably establish information outside the recording. |
| Game demo / replay data | Reconstructing supported events, timing and match context. | Availability and detail depend on the game and replay. |
| Short clip | Examining one local decision or duel. | May omit the setup and cannot establish a whole-match habit. |
| Scoreboard | Summarising recorded outcomes. | Does not explain why a decision succeeded or failed. |
A VOD and a demo are different inputs
A VOD is a video recording. It preserves what the recording captured, including visible positioning and mechanics. A demo is a game replay file or event record, not simply a video with a different extension.
That distinction matters for AI gameplay analysis. A missing event should stay unknown rather than become a confident coaching claim. For CS2 and Deadlock, complete the required demo-data setup; attaching a video later does not replace rich match data needed to analyse the game.
Prepare a recording that can be reviewed
For UpForge’s Windows desktop recording workflow, complete OBS setup and the recording test, then check that the correct game appears in the capture preview. Do this before playing the match you want reviewed.
Use an ordinary match with the context around important decisions. A montage of kills can show mechanics, but it removes much of the information needed to discuss rotations, resources or repeated mistakes. Do not assume any public video link or arbitrary file is supported; check your game’s analysis page.
- Make sure the game and HUD are visible and readable.
- Keep the lead-in to a fight and the outcome, not just the final shot.
- Confirm the required replay data and upload are complete.
- Choose one review question, such as how you approach the first duel.
What to look for in the finished report
Start with a priority, then inspect the moment behind it. Good feedback should let you distinguish an observation from an interpretation and understand what you could try instead. Check whether the advice uses information you actually had at the time.
The public Valorant report below shows UpForge’s review format. It is a sample from that game, not a promise that every game has identical data or sections. Processing time also varies: full-match reports commonly take 10 to 30 minutes after the inputs arrive, and can take longer.
Use the review to test one change
Write the proposed action in language you can recognise while playing. “Improve positioning” is hard to test; “wait for a teammate before entering this contested space” gives you a decision to look for.
In the next recording, find comparable moments and see whether you changed that decision. Keep the result separate from the habit: you can make a better choice and still lose a duel. If the recommendation does not fit the evidence, question it rather than practising it blindly.
Choose automated review or a live discussion
An AI report can help you start reviewing independently. If you need to explain a decision or watch someone demonstrate another approach, a human VOD-review session may suit you better.
For a manual Valorant review checklist, use the existing Valorant VOD-review guide. For a booked session, use the Valorant coaching VOD-review page. Those paths serve different needs from preparing inputs for automated analysis.
Start with your game
Check the setup and review options before your first analysis.
Common questions
Can AI analyse a gameplay video without match data?
Video can support observations about what is visible, but it does not establish every match event. UpForge requires game-specific inputs; CS2 and Deadlock analysis needs rich demo data rather than a recording alone.
Can I upload a VOD from any game?
Do not assume universal support. Choose a supported game and follow its current input requirements. Recording, replay and submission options differ by game.
Is one short clip enough to find my main weakness?
A clip can help examine one decision. It may omit the setup and does not prove a recurring habit across a whole match or multiple games.
Is an AI VOD review the same as a human VOD-review session?
No. An AI review produces feedback to check on your own. A human session lets you discuss decisions and ask follow-up questions. UpForge’s human sessions are booked separately.