Yoshi-P comments on voice chat support

[Laraul]

I would like it if the PS3 released some kind of VC software that was compatible with PC's. I know the PSP has Skype but it's a pretty big bandwidth hog in comparison to some other chat programs out there like Mumble and Ventrilo. I'll have bandwidth troubles in a three way conversation in Skype while I can have a convo with 15 other people in Ventrilo and not worry as much about my voice turning into a robot. Also, if it were accessible through the PS3's XMB and PSN's servers were used for it then bandwidth wouldn't be an issue (for SE at least).

The PS3 can use any type of voice chat encoding it wishes. Portal 2 PS3 can chat just fine with the PC version via VoIP. But no one is going to seriously use voice chat in an MMO (well this MMO at least). It's too problematic. Just setting up the software alone is a huge amount of work and effort. Well at least for Ventrillo. Which is a pretty poor piece of software. Too many options... overwhelms the user. Large groups aren't going to deal with getting everyone prepped to use it when text chat is an viable alternative.

I remember when Xbox live came out, and it's big "thing" was it's voice chat support. With "voice masking" software. Everyone hated the voice masking. And the actual voice chat was rarely used. The only times I remember using it we're for one on one stuff. That's it.

BTW Ventrillo doesn't support binds via the controller. Considering how many people use the controller (Japanese players I imagine, as well as FFXI migrants) I don't see this ever being widely adopted.

[ShadowCadja]

The PS3 can use any type of voice chat encoding it wishes. And no one is going to seriously use voice chat in an MMO. It's too problematic. Just setting up the software alone is a huge amount of work and effort. Well at least for Ventrillo. Which is a pretty poor piece of software. Too many options... overwhelms the user. Large groups aren't going to deal with getting everyone prepped to use it when text chat is an viable alternative.

Not sure if serious...

[Impulse]

The PS3 can use any type of voice chat encoding it wishes. And no one is going to seriously use voice chat in an MMO. It's too problematic. Just setting up the software alone is a huge amount of work and effort. Well at least for Ventrillo. Which is a pretty poor piece of software. Too many options... overwhelms the user. Large groups aren't going to deal with getting everyone prepped to use it when text chat is an viable alternative.

...You're joking, right?
I taught myself how to use Vent years ago in about 3 minutes. Countless groups have done the same, or used an alternative such as Mumble. I'd like to see you type out a whole new set of instructions when a situation changes for the worse and still be able to adapt/handle the change while doing so.

I remember when Xbox live came out, and it's big "thing" was it's voice chat support. With "voice masking" software. Everyone hated the voice masking. And the actual voice chat was rarely used. The only times I remember using it we're for one on one stuff. That's it.

Xbox Live's voice chat more or less has always been used by 12 year olds and manchildren to scream obscenities at each other. There's a reason people avoid anything other than party chat now.

[BrusselSprout]

But no one is going to seriously use voice chat in an MMO.

I'm going to have to disagree with you. Been using voice chat in MMOs since before FFXI came out.

[Noir]

I suppose I can use this conveniently timed thread to post the official translation of Yoshida's thoughts on voice chat.

Perfect! Just the idea of hearing 5-10 years old kids whinning irritates me.
Plus, I feel the heat coming for girls when basically the first thing you get in a normal chat box are: are you a girl rl? Where are you from?! Piss me off the most.

[Riv]

Really, it isn't needed. He makes valid points. If you want it, use a 3rd party as suggested. Although saying that does sound very unlike SE, seeing as how they considered EVERYTHING a 3rd party program in XI based on the fact that it was unfair for console users. Maybe they are wizening up?

[Biggs]

I swear I am not playing devils advocate here, I am genuinly curious about the difference of the following question:

How are things like Vent and TS not considered 3rd party tools?

Don't get me wrong, I use TS all the time, and I have NO desire to see it banned from use by SE. It just strikes me as stange that there seems to be this huge distinction between botting tools and controllers that make crafting easier, and tools like TS that make chatting easier. Both tools circumvent using the mechanics that you are meant to use as part of the game. And yet, here we clearly have a case of the Director of the game advocating the use of one kind of tool while, in a completely different thread, having his company condemn the use of similar tools for other purposes.

Again, I am not trying to be smartass or start some hullabloo for no reason. I am just genuinily wondering where the distinction lies.

[Stanislaw]

I swear I am not playing devils advocate here, I am genuinly curious about the difference of the following question:

How are things like Vent and TS not considered 3rd party tools?

Don't get me wrong, I use TS all the time, and I have NO desire to see it banned from use by SE. It just strikes me as stange that there seems to be this huge distinction between botting tools and controllers that make crafting easier, and tools like TS that make chatting easier. Both tools circumvent using the mechanics that you are meant to use as part of the game. And yet, here we clearly have a case of the Director of the game advocating the use of one kind of tool while, in a completely different thread, having his company condemn the use of similar tools for other purposes.

Again, I am not trying to be smartass or start some hullabloo for no reason. I am just genuinily wondering where the distinction lies.

I think the distinction lies in whereas you use voice chat while you're playing the game, botting tools allows you NOT to play the game (ie, you can be afk and do other things) while it does things for you.

That, and probably because it's pretty much impossible to ban voice chat. It's akin to banning the usage of a phone when you get down to it.

[Biggs]

I think the distinction lies in whereas you use voice chat while you're playing the game, botting tools allows you NOT to play the game (ie, you can be afk and do other things) while it does things for you.

That, and probably because it's pretty much impossible to ban voice chat. It's akin to banning the usage of a phone when you get down to it.

Makes sense. Although one could argue you aren't playing the game the way they intended you to. Although TS and Vent doesn't really help you level faster, or really give you some huge advantage that other players don't have access to.

[KumaAkuma]

Third party tools interact with the game itself by manipulating game data. Even when you have Ventrillo, Internet Explorer or Msn (or whatever rocks your boat) running at the same time as FFXIV, it doesn't make them third party tools just because of that.