Yoshi-P comments on voice chat support

[Elexia]

..If I'm reading this correctly that is.

Clicky

■まとめ■

FFXIVはグローバルに、少しでも多くのお客様に、安心してプレイして頂けるよう、
運営を続けるつもりでいます。
技術的にはサポート可能であっても、やはりコミュニケーションに関わる仕様については、
「公式化」することが、ストレスにならないよう、慎重に判断する必要があると思っています。
というわけで、ボイスチャットに関しては、公式対応の予定がありません。

The tl;dr version of this post is, they have the ability to support voice chat, but they have no current plans to support it (or at all) as there's other mediums available to PC users such as Skype or Ventrillio(Team Speak).

Though It's still too early in the morning I may be misreading this >.>

[Bayohne]

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

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.

[BrusselSprout]

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

Rad, thanks!

[KiriA500]

Sucks to be the OP...all those likes are going to go to Bayohne instead.

You know what? Screw this system! I'm liking the OP instead. DOWN WITH THE AUTHORITIES!!!

/punkrawk

[Delsus]

..If I'm reading this correctly that is.

Clicky



The tl;dr version of this post is, they have the ability to support voice chat, but they have no current plans to support it (or at all) as there's other mediums available to PC users such as Skype or Ventrillio(Team Speak).

Though It's still too early in the morning I may be misreading this >.>

Hmmm can we get a decent translation, this is what google translate came out with

■ ■ Summary

FFXIV is global, so that customers can in many of our customers, even a little to play with confidence,
I plan to continue to operate.
Even though it is technically possible support, and specifications are still involved in the communication,
I think to be "formalized", so as not to stress, and that decision must be made carefully.
So, in regards to voice chat, there is no official plan of support.

But I think it will be an idea to add voice chat, what about when the PS3 crowd come round and they either dont have a PC/laptop (there will be a few) or more likely thier PC/laptop is in a different room, they may not beable to use ventrillo, teamspeak, skype, mumble etc. ingame voice chat would prevent this. Also lets not forget you cannot use the PS3 chat room while playing a game, therefore voice chat for PS3 players could be impossible.

Edit: damnit Bayohne beat me but I would still say that its not taking PS3 players that, for some reason, may not beable to use a PC for voice chat.

I would look into this. Also even with no ingame voice chat you still get people that say voice chat is mandetory, but they do go on to compromise by saying "you can listen even if you do not talk" but alot of linkshells have mandetory voice chat.

[Scherwiz]

Sucks to be the OP...all those likes are going to go to Bayohne instead.

You know what? Screw this system! I'm liking the OP instead. DOWN WITH THE AUTHORITIES!!!

/punkrawk

I'd like Bayohne's comment, if it didn't suck.

[KiriA500]

I'd like Bayohne's comment, if it didn't suck.

Hey man, don't kill the messenger. Not all news can be good news!

Still, don't give him likes! HE'S A LIKE THIEF! D:<

[Alcide]

In particular, there is a fear that female gamers will get harassed when the say something and will then want to stay away.

wut? o.O

/10char

[BrusselSprout]

wut? o.O

/10char

Nerds find out girls are on internet. Nerds fail to cope with paradigm shift of such epic scale. Nerds become socially awkward and harass girl.

True story bro.

[Krausus]

the only thing I worry about is when the PS3 version comes out which does not support 3rd party voice communication. I mean really they dont need a full open voice chat, they can make it invite only voice chat that LS's can use and parties should they choose to.