In Game Voice Chat

[XNihili]

We really do need a voice chat cauz kids nowadays can't even type properly and everybody understand english of course.

[OldGeezer]

They can't even code to switch audio channels when you plug in a headset, voicechat would be much harder to do.

[Tiggy]

They can't even code to switch audio channels when you plug in a headset, voicechat would be much harder to do.

That would be a windows/OS function not a game function. So it's not on them. Also, windows 7 and 8 do this as described if you set the windows audio settings properly.

Lastly, many people don't like that functionality by default. I'm one of them.

[Rex]

Just reposting what someone posted because people are still going on about it. Check it out! Look! Just like I said! It's already been addressed! Wow-ee!

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...e-chat-support

Hi all, it’s ‘coming down with the flu’ Yoshida here,
Thanks for the discussion regarding voice chat. I wanted to present my thoughts on the subject, too.

Conclusion
We currently have no plans to implement voice chat into FFXIV, even for Version 2.0.

Level of Communication
I’m also an online gamer when I have spare time, so I use voice chat when playing MMOs, online games, FPSs, and fighting games. However, voice chat is mostly used by the “hardcore players”. In MMORPGs, “chat” is the main form of communication and because it is text based it is fairly simple to use. However, hearing everyone’s voices when you’re communicating amongst a huge group of players can be highly irritating. Risks put aside, I think that the communication level in comparison to chat is a few steps higher.

Pros and Cons
Everyone pretty much said everything already.

The main cons:
There will be times when voice chat will be mandatory for things like instanced raids.
In particular, there is a fear that female gamers will get harassed when the say something and will then want to stay away.
A gap will appear between those that have/don’t have a mic.
As this will eat up more bandwidth, there will be more bandwidth costs.
We will need to create some kind of sound management, like creating an effect so that it's not your “real voice” that is being heard.


The main pros:
It is much faster than chat for direct communication so when playing as a party it is much easier.
If you can get along well with the other person, it is convenient, just like being on the phone.


Alternatives to Voice Chat
There are loads of great alternatives to voice chat such as Skype and Ventrillo. If we don’t officially support it, I think that there will be fewer cases where people will be forced to use it and told things like "come on, just use voice chat for crying out loud!" So for linkshells and what will become the Free Companies, if you can come to an agreement, I think that it would be good to consider using external software for voice chat purposes.

Summary
We will continue to make it so that our FFXIV players can play safely across all regions. Even if we can technically support it, for things that involve communication, we would have to make it official, but I think we would really need to think about this carefully so it won't be a stressful experience. So with that in mind, we will not be having official support for voice chat.

[OldGeezer]

That would be a windows/OS function not a game function. So it's not on them. Also, windows 7 and 8 do this as described if you set the windows audio settings properly.

Lastly, many people don't like that functionality by default. I'm one of them.

This is not an OS issue, all my other PC games come with this function automatically. FFXIV does not. If they can't provide simple features like this then voicechat is beyond them.

[Sove92]

This is not an OS issue, all my other PC games come with this function automatically. FFXIV does not. If they can't provide simple features like this then voicechat is beyond them.

I have no issues like this, I can switch audio devices without any issues. This is not a XIV problem.

[Shori]

I'd like an in game voice chat feature. Itd save me alot of time of having to download and set up voice chat programs and what not. It could also help me with teaching dungeon mechanics to newcomers. I love teaching newcomers.

This ^
I feel experienced players would have more patience in general if they were able to give their party members instructions without interupting skillchains

[RyujinUzikin]

I've seen both sides of the arguments by now...

1-If they add VC then most people would demand everyone to use VC.

Solution: Even if it was mandatory, all you need to do is mute your microphone during a raid. All you require to do is listen to instructions, other wise you'd be the tank asking people to VC.

2-Not adding it doesn't make it mandatory for everyone.

The downside: Still a lot of groups demand it even if it's not mandatory, so at this point in time it's almost mandatory.

Conclusion: It doesn't hurt to have more options available, this idea that "This won't work" is just negative talk. We all adapt to whatever changes come, we can adapt to this too.

[OldGeezer]

I have no issues like this, I can switch audio devices without any issues. This is not a XIV problem.

Of course it is. FFXIV is the only game-let alone MMO- where I have to log out of the game so I can plug in a headset and listen on headphones. All other MMOs WoW, Rift, EVE, Guild Wars 2, SWTOR, and ESO switch audio the moment I plug in the headset in game. All these other developers make a seemless transition for a simple task such as plugging in a headset, but SE can not. If SE can't get even a simple task like this right which should be standard, voicechat will be beyond them.

[Sove92]

Of course it is. FFXIV is the only game-let alone MMO- where I have to log out of the game so I can plug in a headset and listen on headphones. All other MMOs WoW, Rift, EVE, Guild Wars 2, SWTOR, and ESO switch audio the moment I plug in the headset in game. All these other developers make a seemless transition for a simple task such as plugging in a headset, but SE can not. If SE can't get even a simple task like this right which should be standard, voicechat will be beyond them.

Then why I never need to do that? We all have the same client.