PSA: Macro Sound Effects Harm People with Sensory Issues

I do not have any problems about the sound but I hope for the sake of the OP and other people that suffer from this that SE can find a solution. Its nice that we already got a post with a bit of a help (macro turning it on or off) but it would just be for the best if people can just click them off without having to lose all sounds. And even if that temporary solution is better than nothing, if the sound alone will be enough its already too late if someone posted a macro. I mean one could deactivate the sound in dungeons but you will still have enough chances to hear them suddenly in the overworld. So +1 for an option to turn the sounds off. (And they are already annoying for someone without problems, it really must be bad for those with problems. :/ )

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Originally Posted by Kisagami

I love how you assume I just played through my migraine. I dropped the dungeon pnce I got the headache, leaving my friends behind before it developed into a full force migraine. However, once the macro was played, the damage was already done. I have searched Reddit for a means to replace the sounds on my client, however, they are in a file that has difficult data to modify and I am not technically savy. ....

Stop assuming I’m just complaining to complain. I am bringing awareness so that SE doesn’t lose paying members like me from their subscription lists. From the outpouring of support I got in and oug of the game, this is a problem that affects more than just me.

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It is not an assumption, assuming would only make an ass of you and me. Look from a technical perspective it can be done, to apply it however takes a bit more specially since testing needs to be done to insure that the changes won't create other issues. It's not as easy as it sounds. I'm sure SE is aware and from an ethical point of view by just providing option to adjust their settings in game shows that they have taken that into consideration. What this community is asking is to do a type of overhaul on the settings system. There is more to it than people think. Over all legally any service can have a settings adjustment and would be fine in terms supporting options. SE does try to adjust to it's players base the best they can, however from a business perspective you need think about certain things.

First how big is the issue affecting the client base?

is it affecting all subscribers, half subscribers, some subscribers. Depending on that a company can take action.

Are their more urgent issues?

Are people complaining more about a completely different subject ( connections, compatibility ) that is affecting more members than a minor percentage.

Think of it this way. What do people complain more about? Sensory issues or housing? What percentage of the player base is being affected? If it's not affecting normally a minimum of 35% as a whole chances are they are not being considered top of the list versus lets say DDOS attack that has affected a higher base.

In no way , shape, or form am I against changes, what I am surprised is that people complain without exploring all their options because they are too lazy to do so.

Now if your leaving a party behind do to your migraine guess what your health is more important and if they are your friends they will understand. That is what LS , FC, or other forms of communication can be used. Their is even a party finder after someone disconnects or needs to be replace. Don't worry they will live on unless they choose not to replace you. No one is that special and can be replaced. Yes we feel bad for doing so, however it is not something that can force the whole game to stop in it's tracks. Yes having a disability is not something we ask for, however it is not a reason to use it as an excuse when there are options.

Clearly and politely indicates an issue? Check.

Provides a reasonable solution? Check.

Listens to additional possibilities and amends proposed solution accordingly? Check.

Proposed solution does not change existing play functionality for existing users? Check.

Proposed solution completely addresses and solves indicated issue? Check.

Sounds like you've made a fantastic issue-thread!

I hope you get what you're requesting.
Speaking as a programmer, what you're asking for is not difficult.
It will, however, require a certain amount of time to implement.

That time needs to be balanced against benefits to all users for other time-requiring updates.
Unfortunately, something that takes a similar amount of time to implement but helps more users might take precedence.

But, you've got my vote!
I think it would be great to have an option to lessen (and remove, if preferred) the volume on user-initiated-macro-sounds.

...just wanted to give some praise where it's due.
This thread should be bookmarked as a template for others on how to raise any issue with any software. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by ManuelBravo

What this community is asking is to do a type of overhaul on the whole system. There is more to it than people think.

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What?

Providing a sound slider for existing sounds would be an overhaul on the whole system?
Um... no.
Not unless it was programmed by evolutionary-guided-code-creation instead of thinking people running under the smallest amount of structure.

The game already has sliders for some sounds.
User macros are obviously sectioned apart on their own (as they are treated differently from other sounds).
It would not be difficult to create some sort of similar-volume-slider for user macro sounds.
It would simply require some programmer time dedicated to the task.
It's simply a matter of deciding if that programmer time is best spent here, or better spent somewhere else possibly providing more benefit to more users.

You're making it sound like they're asking to overwrite any sound in the game with their own .mp3 file or something.

Yes, testing is obviously required, as it is with any change.
But the testing/implementation for this sort of thing would be as easy as it gets... simply taking some time.

Sorry meant the SFX system and/or certain coding for certain actions as a whole.

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Originally Posted by Cold_Raven

What?

Yes, testing is obviously required, as it is with any change.
But the testing/implementation for this sort of thing would be as easy as it gets... simply taking some time.

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Time which again needs to be gauged from a business perspective based on the amount of player based being affected by it or being supported by. I do coding and have a business major, myself so I apologize should have been more specific.

Hmmm as for how easy it varies really. Can't really judge unless you know their system.

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Originally Posted by ManuelBravo

Time which again needs to be gauged from a business perspective based on the amount of player based being affected by it or being supported by. I do coding and have a business major, myself so I apologize should have been more specific.

Hmmm as for how easy it varies really. Can't really judge unless you know their system.

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I’m not removing or stopping my SUGGESTION thread just because you think it’ll take away time from developers. Why are we debating this? What is your end goal here? What you are saying is irrelevant to the topic and frankly just making people feel invalidated. You are NOT SE. you are not a GM. My suggestion obviously was relevant enough to get a community lead response. And this debate is distracting from the actual suggestions of how such a thing can be implemented. I keep amending my thread for different ideas - the developers can choose the easiest.

Why out of all the SUGGESTION threads are you nitpicking this one?

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Originally Posted by ManuelBravo

In no way , shape, or form am I against changes, what I am surprised is that people complain without exploring all their options because they are too lazy to do so.

however it is not something that can force the whole game to stop in it's tracks. Yes having a disability is not something we ask for, however it is not a reason to use it as an excuse when there are options.

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Made previous thread asking if I can disable macro sounds. Check. (Look at my previous threads)
Asked Reddit if there was a way to edit the sounds myself. Check.
Turned system settings down to 1%. Check.
Asked friends not to use macro sound effects. Check.
Asked other party members not to use them if they can. Check.
Got response from community leaders on a macro sounds disable. Check.
Friend sent email to a FF14 model modder who said he could modify sounds like he does models. Check.

Now who’s lazy here? I have everything I can do on my end. But I was told I can make suggestions on forums AND I DID.

I'm all for options that let people customize their setup. Not everyone likes the same setup. The current macro calls don't bother me too much. Does anyone remember that super loud whistle call from ffxi? I hated that one and people used it everytime they pulled a mob in exp groups.

I hope this gets looked into. Hopefully there will be a big QOL overhaul mini patch where this gets looked into. I love to also have private macro sounds (unless i completely missed it) just a way that i can get it to beep at me to let me know that mini bahaumet is ready to auk morn again.

The basic consensus here is that we are all for more customization to make our clients run the way we want, and I am happy about that. This isn’t just a sensory issues thing; many people would love the ability to mute forced sound effects and those alone. In hindsight, the sound effects are invasive to many - especially when spammed.

Thank you all for the support - really we’ve only had one detractor so far...