In-game VOIP suggestion

Hi. I am not sure where to place this thread, and I have tried searching the forums but I have found as of yet nothing to do with this (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Perhaps I'd introduce myself first, to show where I'm coming from - I played GW extensively ever since the beginning, with a heavy emphasis on PvP, but I enjoy PvE as well. I left GW for some time, playing a number of other games, including several FPSes, and like many others out here, am waiting eagerly to see how GW2 will turn out.

With regards to VOIP, I believe a number of FPSes which are played online have built-in VOIP into them - I will not name any titles. This if used properly, can up the team play level of the game to greater levels previously impossible. This is not limited to "high level" PvP (i.e. GvG, HA); it applies as well to AB, TA, and RA (aspenwood too?). With regards to the PvE aspect, it would enhance greatly the experience of high-level geared content, allow better communication, and so on.

I understand that Teamspeak and Ventrilo and other popular 3rd party clients exist, but here is where both GW's PvE and PvP can benefit even more:-

GvG/HA - why not allow for example, the first 4 players to be on one exclusive channel, and the next 4 on another - so that players can structure split builds, spikes (TS/Vent lag is one problem for players PUG-ging), and so on far better - it facilitates communication in that target callers, for example, can concentrate on their job better. Splitting in GvG would be easier because each leader of the 4-man team would be able to communicate directly to his/her intended target, without the possibility of confusion arising. A "transmit to whole team" button would be present as well of course. It would also be far easier for teams to form without worrying about giving TS/vent IPs.

Arenas/Faction battles - the same argument applies; albeit even stronger. This would greatly increase the co-ordination in teams who do not/can not/have no opportunity to log into external 3P VOIP programs in that short time. Newer players would learn faster.

PvE - the old charm of PvE was playing with random people from an outpost and going out to actually DO stuff together. While heroes and upgraded henchies are a great addition, they hampered the fun of playing with people because no one ever wanted to group up any more - why bother when I can just "do my own thing?". VOIP would be a great addition to any pick-up group, and would be a welcome addition especially in high level PvE content. I'm sure most would agree.

I understand the difficulties of implementing this, such as cost issues or developer time - but if this can be done for GW2, or as a future addition to GW, it would be mindblowingly awesome. Of course, VOIP is always open to abuse - read: griefers swearing endlessly - but a mute buttom would always be a possibility.

Suggestions/ Improvements are much welcome. Perhaps this would receive more attention in the PvP forums, or the GW2 suggestions thread, but I figured that this is of general application, and it would not be right to pigeonhole this thread as such.

Abri

I'm pretty sure VOIP's already been announced for GW2.

The easiest way to do VOIP is for GW to automatically DL both versions of it to your computer and handle all the settings via a script. The you just press a button and it turns on and everyone can talk (party leader would be the host PC).

Otherwise too much in game lag.

Kanyatta - I have not seen any such voip info for GW2, please correct me/direct me to the source if you know of one.

Winterclaw - Yeah i know what you mean - but I was trying to point out that that would not be necessary if such a feature was implemented. Besides, the purpose of this would be to allow people thrown together in a random pug/ arena group who do not have a chance to connect to such a server to communicate together. Simliarly, one could be online on both TS and Vent and communicate to different groups at the same time.

Generally, i understand lag issues - the difference is whether it would be possible for GW to host it instead of players. GW2 = 2008-2009 - perhaps we'd have figured out some connectivity solution by then?

In any case, a VOIP district would be rather interesting, where players can (subject to limitations), broad cast their own podcasts, music, and so on - this would shift the focus game from what is more often than not, developer based content, to player-made content.

I'm pretty sure I read it in PC Gamer about 8 months ago, but I could be wrong. Try Google, they usually give answers.

Because we really want to listen to a 10-year-old Wammo squeal about noobs.

/notsigned

I don't know for sure about Guild Wars 2 (haven't been keeping up to date, frankly), but ANet has certainly been promising built-in VOIP in Guild Wars for a long time now. It wouldn't surprise me at all if it's a part of Guild Wars 2.

There is a thing called a mute button.


NCsoft was developing a VOIP system for all of its games. It was announced a while back, but with how long its taken; I've given up hope for it.

Wow thats fail, if you are on two channels in a gvg how are you gonna know when people fall on you. Lol.... fail!

However it's a good idea for AB/RA/FA, but I think too many people just put their sound of or there will be people raging randomly.

Ahh good to see you're a dick to everyone. And here I thought you were just trying to out stage me. lolz

Well at any rate a split GvG/HA channel wouldn't be a wise plan. Reasons would be tactics would suffer and so would the ganker alert. At any rate the VOIP is a good idea, but sadly ventrilo executes a much higher quality than a VOIP would ever hope to. (WoW's sucks btw. The only near decent one is 2142)

Thats actually what I said, and you tell me Im just being pointless? You must be pointless too then.