Integrated voice chat and new player retention.

(acutepuppy) #1

Hey there! I was curious about thoughts on built-in VoiP by the game the game hits release/open beta. I believe that integrating it properly can surpass external program’s usefulness for serious players, and drastically increase new-player retention. (A very, very important thing).

I know in general the feedback providing community (testers, competitive players…) favors leaving VoiP to external programs like Mumble. This opinion was pretty clear in other games as well, such as Quake Wars and Tribes: Ascend. I think the larger community (and many reviewers!) feel the option is mandatory for a proper MP title.

I’m pretty sure there is a statistical bias on the importance of integrated VoiP. The issue is the “feedback providing” community is a minority. I was at the bar the other day and found out five or so friends have pretty decent computers, and have been playing WarThunder recently. I gave it a shot, and once we joined a squad, we were chatting right up again, like a couple hours before over whiskey. We were having fun and not even playing the game yet.

One of my friends would have no problem joining/hosting a mumble server, but the others would probably be a bit in the dark, especially if their microphone was having issues with the program, or simply if none of them knew about it in the first place. I’m pretty sure this is a major reason I was only able to get a couple of friends to play Tribes: Ascend and stick with it, they were already having trouble learning the game, which was difficult to teach over text. They didn’t really ever get to downloading mumble.

Quake Wars really had a accessible way of going about communicating with your team. The context menu, v-say system, and voice-chat system all had their use, and voice-chat clearly displayed information on the HUD and IFF’s. I am absolutely certain my Quake Wars Community Server would have not come to be without our vocal and eclectic community.

I think the only decision made is should it be Squad/Friends only, team wide off by default, or team wide on by default. The inclusion is a no-brainer. The integration of proper mute/kick admin and vote functions are critical, as well as the game properly displaying who is speaking, and where they are (Brink’s VOIP was really lacking in this stage, it seemed like a complete afterthought).

edit: Joining a mumble can be stressful, too. If everyone can talk, no one knows if you’re listening/have a mic until one chooses to be involved. A mumble has its own community already established. Most everyone on our mumble server used in-game voice chat frequently to teach new players, and keep banter to ourselves, or just keep in conversation while browsing the web between game time.

(Mustang) #2

I hope we can solve the issue of not being able to speak during map loading screens as this is one of the main reasons for favouring an external program.

(chippy) #3

Yes. This needs to happen. I’m not sure if “friend/squadtalk” is all that necessary to begin with but I can see how it would be loved by people who aren’t “tech savvy”. VOIP built into the game is a crucial part to the casual players, think community servers, and is pretty much considered a default functionality in any game (at least to me).

I’d say, start off with a basic integrated VOIP, as in any other game (read: CS, TF2, L4D…) and expand the functionality bit by bit.

(Ashog) #4

+1 for VOIP, absolutely.

VOIP for pub, TS for clanwars.

(Attackmack) #5

[QUOTE=Ashog;466551]+1 for VOIP, absolutely.

VOIP for pub, TS for clanwars.[/QUOTE]

Perfect summary right there!

(prophett) #6

This would be a great feature. I never used built in VOIP until I was introduced to CSGO’s matchmaking system (hint hint).

(shaftz0r) #7

i absolutely hate in game voip personally. i can see the usefulness, but it isnt hard to use any number of other programs

(Ashog) #8

well how are you supposed to communicate on a pub server w/o VOIP then?

(shaftz0r) #9

why would you want to?

(Kiris) #10

How else would you mock random strangers online without leaving any evidence of it? :slight_smile:

(Rex) #11

I love it when clueless players pretend to be commander and tell other noobs what to do! +1 for VOIP (like always when this topic comes up :wink:)

(Evil-Doer) #12

I believe the question, is why wouldn’t you want to?

(Evil-Doer) #13

I’ve always LOVED VOIP in any game. It’s great for teamwork when you run into players that actually want to play well. If you run into the random trolls, then you just mute. I don’t find a single negative in having it implemented.

(Rex) #14

You don’t need to use it, where is the problem?

(Dragonji) #15

^ this. :slight_smile:

(shaftz0r) #16

as long as there is an easy mute for individual players, i dont have a problem, but there would need to be extensive testing so that it doesnt affect bandwidth at all.

(DarkangelUK) #17

Really? I thought they’d just throw it in blindly and hope for the best…

(Evil-Doer) #18

What game have you played where the VOIP effected the game play bandwidth?

(shaftz0r) #19

i thought people in the UK were better at dry sarcasm :stuck_out_tongue:

console games. cant say that its ever really affected me, but its just an extra thing that i dont personally see as important. i guess it is though in this day and age. im just jaded, pay no attention

(Protekt1) #20

I’ve never ever ever used in game voip… ever. Except on consoles. I don’t see the point of SD spending time and money on a feature that will barely be utilized. Maybe make it a low priority thing, something not done til maybe even after release. I can think of maybe one game that uses ingame voip on a regular basis and that is natural selection 2.

Prophet does make a good point though.

Well voip apps allow you to change how much bandwidth they use.