VoIP-How to enticing/lure people to use it?

(H0RSE) #21

SD should consider reversing the defualt VOIP off decision for this very reason. It may be good for consoles but for the PC it does not make sense…

The way I see it you pritty much require a headset for the consoles because there is no keyboard to type, most people on the PC probably don’t have a Mic because they get on fine with a keybaord.

If players can use type chat or other methods to communicate effectively on PC, but a headset is pretty much required to communicate on console, why does it “make sense” to have VOIP on by default on PC and off on console?

The reasoning to keep it off by default makes sense - It is not required to play the game, it is simply an option.

The only real “effective” way to lure people into using VOIP is for people to stop giving it a bad rap. Play one round of MW2 online, and you can clearly see why players are reluctant to use voice chat (or play online in general) Instead of addressing the symptoms, like having it on or off by default, or including a headset with the package, you need to address the cause, which is simply, people are assholes. Yes, I am aware that not all people are like that online, but stereotypes are based off of something - they aren’t jst “made-up.”

(Jamieson) #22

[QUOTE=H0RSE;227111]If players can use type chat or other methods to communicate effectively on PC, but a headset is pretty much required to communicate on console, why does it “make sense” to have VOIP on by default on PC and off on console?

The reasoning to keep it off by default makes sense - It is not required to play the game, it is simply an option.

The only real “effective” way to lure people into using VOIP is for people to stop giving it a bad rap. Play one round of MW2 online, and you can clearly see why players are reluctant to use voice chat (or play online in general) Instead of addressing the symptoms, like having it on or off by default, or including a headset with the package, you need to address the cause, which is simply, people are assholes. Yes, I am aware that not all people are like that online, but stereotypes are based off of something - they aren’t jst “made-up.”[/QUOTE]

To be honest Horse I’ am starting to get paranoid and think you are stalking my posts lol, you seem to pop up everywhere I post lol.

Depends on the game m8, PC gaming is quite diverse, After playing Half life Deathmatch, TF2, Section 8 and ETQW for the last couple of years I can say they all have great communties, in fact I have never encountered bad VOIP, only once where the guy was playing music which promptly resulted in the admin muting him.

I don’t know about MW2, because you would not catch me dead playing it. As for COD 4 again I never encountered bad VOIP, in fact I heard hardly any, its not the sort of game you would associate with teamwork in pub anyway, quite frankly if you call yourself a PC gamer and you bought MW2 I have no respect for you.

So in my experience the problem has not been bad VOIP but lack of it.

(H0RSE) #23

Depends on the game m8, PC gaming is quite diverse, After playing Half life Deathmatch, TF2, Section 8 and ETQW for the last couple of years I can say they all have great communties, in fact I have never encountered bad VOIP, only once where the guy was playing music which promptly resulted in the admin muting him.

I don’t know about MW2, because you would not catch me dead playing it. As for COD 4 again I never encountered bad VOIP, in fact I heard hardly any, its not the sort of game you would associate with teamwork in pub anyway, quite frankly if you call yourself a PC gamer and you bought MW2 I have no respect for you.
As I previously stated, it doesn’t matter if the game communities are actually good and respectable, it still doesn’t change the overall image of VOIP in games. If it was received by the gaming public as overall positive, then people wouldn’t be so reluctant to try it.

And no, I do not own MW2 nor have I ever played it online. I was using it as an example since it is pretty much the prime example of complete doucebaggery on voice chat, in most peoples eyes…Rahdo even uses it as an example for having voip defaulted to off in some interviews.

(Crytiqal) #24

So like now… people cannot hear me maon in VOIP anymore? :’( I just bought a new headset, darnit!
I do think people should be made aware how they can turn on their VoIP tho.

Like in ETQW you get that guy saying how this is your first time playing online and if you want some practice first etc. They should make something say like, do you want your VoIP now now?

(Apocalypse_Pony) #25

That is a good point. It doesn’t even have to be someone babbling. It could be someone saying something important, but just at a moment when you are trying to hear the enemy.

A button to quickly mute all voip would be a nice feature to have, for those moments. Maybe a little notice or icon in a corner to remind you that mute is on.

(Szakalot) #26

Truth is: people don’t know how to use it. They relay irrelevant or unspecified data that add to the confusion rather than convey vital intel.

If you ever heard people shouting
“Firing a hammer NOW”
you know what im talking about.

(Crytiqal) #27

Actually, I usually DO notify my teammate if there is a hammer coming down at the target area.
Somehow there are usually still teammates who miss the big orange thingy and the warning text in their screen.

(murka) #28

You can actually use 2 words like “hammer, object” instead of saying obvious things like “firing” and “now”.

(Jamieson) #29

Is there not a danger that we are looking at this with a comp mindset? In comp you have to get to the point quick, everyone is experienced and used to it. In pub I get the feeling you have to spell things out for people or they just wont understand or miss things.

Its like crytiqal said you would think the big orange circle and the fact that you can see a big massive missle in the sky would be enough.

I don’t think the argument is that people are scared of VOIP, anyone who has played ETQW (the games I listed) will know that the people who use it are generally good and nice with it. So any bad perceptions (if there are any) would probably not last long. I think people just generally don’t know how to use it and don’t have mic’s.

(MILFandCookies) #30

In comp we give certain buildings or structures their own names so everyone can remember them. It also helps limit the amount of chatter that goes on.

For pub games - the only thing I would ever mention is, ‘someone is in disguise as me’ via a VSAY.

(Jamieson) #31

[QUOTE=MILFandCookies;227187]In comp we give certain buildings or structures their own names so everyone can remember them. It also helps limit the amount of chatter that goes on.

For pub games - the only thing I would ever mention is, ‘someone is in disguise as me’ via a VSAY.[/QUOTE]

Really what about if you knew where the disc/brain was? Somebody on way to sneak? going for the construct?

(DarkangelUK) #32

I’d say the vast majority are playing for fun and don’t care about bringing coms to an almost military level… and just want to enjoy the game.

(MILFandCookies) #33

On pubs - I wouldnt say anything.
In comp - I would tell you their position, their class, how many, and whether they are low on health.

Obviously some people who dont play comp, will treat their pub games the way we do comp games. Thats all good, as long as they realise some players just want to chill and have fun. :slight_smile:

(BioSnark) #34

I know I’ve had problems getting three mics and two sound input software working on quake wars over the years. Fun times,…

(AnthonyDa) #35

[quote=Crytiqal;227146]Actually, I usually DO notify my teammate if there is a hammer coming down at the target area.
Somehow there are usually still teammates who miss the big orange thingy and the warning text in their screen.[/quote]
You can use manual Vsays for that … ho wait not in BRINK.

(Cankor) #36

[QUOTE=Szakalot;227144]If you ever heard people shouting
“Firing a hammer NOW”
you know what im talking about.[/QUOTE]

lmao

I never knew bad VOIP was such a big issue. I would think if it was that annoying to people they would learn how to turn it off. I say make it on by default or it will never be used, but make it insanely easy and obvious how to mute specific players.

As the OP said, No One uses in game VOIP in BC2. He didn’t even know if it works. Neither do I. It didn’t work from the beggining, so no one used it. Since it’s not used, no one uses it. It’s almost a self fulfilling prophecy. Maybe it’s actually broken? Who knows? It’s sad. Possibly the other reason no one uses it (if it works that is) is because you can only talk to your squad, 3 other guys max. That’s realistic I guess, but since when does that trump game-play? It virtually guarantees (assuming it’s actually working) that if you have TS or Vent you will use it instead. In BC2 it’s like they made it your last choice. Assuming it actually works that is.

VOIP isn’t just about communication of your in-game observations or actions. VOIP is important because it brings clan players together with pub players and they get to know each other better, and now you have some new friends (or maybe you know some new a-holes). If you have an in-game system that no one uses, the clan’s will do all their communication on TS or Vent and the pubbers will be out of the loop.

I vote “VOIP on by default with obvious player muting controls”

(brbrbr) #37

its up to server admins choice.
nothig [to mess with]devs migh/must do about, IMO.
maybe more easier mute/blocking way[context alike-menu in VoIP control?], maybe?

(Szakalot) #38

[QUOTE=Cankor;227380]lmao

I never knew bad VOIP was such a big issue. I would think if it was that annoying to people they would learn how to turn it off. I say make it on by default or it will never be used, but make it insanely easy and obvious how to mute specific players.[/quote]

Oh unless someone is about to ragequit and people tell me to turn voip on, cause its hilarious to listen to that one guy, i have it off by default.
Or I had to be more exact, I don’t really play the game anymore.

As for the hammer,
there is a huge onscreen notification when a hammer is fired, saying that over the voip is truly useless. It would be like saying ‘firing a tank’ or ‘throwing a grenade’. Without the context, those statements are far too common in the game to give you any relevant information.
If everyone used voip for this kind of messages, it would be a complete chaos, the only reason it MIGHT SEEM as if its useful is because no one else talks over the voip at all.

Just like shouting ‘i need a medic’ without specifying where you are, or which medic’s assistance you need; a vsay is way better as it will make you flash on the radar and in-game hud as well.

VOIP isn’t just about communication of your in-game observations or actions. VOIP is important because it brings clan players together with pub players and they get to know each other better, and now you have some new friends (or maybe you know some new a-holes). If you have an in-game system that no one uses, the clan’s will do all their communication on TS or Vent and the pubbers will be out of the loop.

I vote “VOIP on by default with obvious player muting controls”

I agree with your vote, but I think that the voip solely for the function you describe is just a way of stagnation.
I would assume that all the pub stars that never try anything more challenging (even though they have PLENTY of time, like all the +2k hours of gameplay pubstars), can find like-minded individuals, and boost each others’ egos, instead of striving for improvement.
Don’t get me wrong, i wont tell people what to do, If i had to chose, i would go for voip (as long as its mutable), sure why not.

But if i had to choose it over some GAMEPLAY improvement, then my decision is pretty straightforward.

(Kendle) #39

I played DOD:S for years after leaving ET, and VOIP is used extensively, not just for in-game co-operation but also as a social tool. DOD:S has lots of “communities”, groups of players who hang out on a limited number of servers and know each other reasonably well. Many players also know each other from playing in the same leagues / ladders and pick-up games.

So it’s not a platform thing, I think it’s what someone said above, it’s self-fulfilling, if VOIP works out of the box (and is switched on by default) and people use it they’ll carry on using it and it’ll become the norm. I guess that’s how DOD:S came to be like that. If it doesn’t work, or it’s limited (can only speak to your team / squad) and / or Brink’s player base comes mainly from games that don’t have VOIP (like ET) then it might struggle to become accepted.

(Senethro) #40

Welcome back Kendle. Nice to have input from a non-ET background.