Curse

dpcash · Dec 12, 2006, 03:45 AM // 03:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Ma

I tried Vent for awhile, because a guild required it for PvP. Here's my experience...

1) Once they hear you're a woman, everyone hits on you.
2) Ah... the sound of wannabe bedroom generals barking orders to everyone.
3) Half the time the conversation has nothing to do with what's going on.
4) Listenting to arguments, ego trips and amateur therapy sessions isn't fun.

Voice chat can be cool when managed well, but in my experience the reality was that it was rarely more helpful than text chat, and often more distracting.

In PvE, I'm wanting immersion and a fun escapist experience. What I don't want is to have to listen to a drunken Joe Lowlife barking orders and scarfing cheetos while figuratively or literally stroking his manhood. Frankly, if you're sitting at a computer keyboard and aretoo lazy or illiterate to type effectively, then I'd rather not have your voice in my ear.

I completely agree with the OP. Vent/TS FTL.

I understand your complaint as a female on vent. I have seen this happen, but after two warnings the offender was kicked from the guild and banned from our vent server.

Our guild always used vent when doing Fow and UW. Vent enabled us to turn a complete Fow clearance (yes all 11 quests) into a 3.5 hour run. We did have talkers at times, but our guild leader usually did most of the talking, and only when necessary. We often did a full run and everyone ended with 2% morale boost.

A lot depends on the maturity of your guild/group. For us vent adds to our gaming experience rather than take away from it.

Besides, all that typing is so damn slow!

Voive comms may not be necessary, if everyone knows what to do. However, when have you joined a pug where everyone really knew what to do.

Even so-called "experienced" players are experienced in "their way" of doing things. This makes things go even slower.

In a pug, often everyone "knows" what to do, and IMO that is 99% of the problem.

kilkelo · Dec 12, 2006, 04:05 AM // 04:05

Yeah, it's faster.

I'm not into RPing, and when I'm playing my sexy reheaded female mesmer... I don't "become" her, I just control her and kill stuff with her.

In a fight, sometimes I talk out loud and go "please kill that mes, please kill that mes" and wish I had TS on. Instead, I have to stop fighting for a minute and type out the message.

tweedledumb · Dec 12, 2006, 04:28 AM // 04:28

No vent. Ever.

After listening to idiots on the phone at work all day I'm not about to listen to them at home.

That being said...

There's nothing wrong with people insisting on vent for their groups if they want it that badly. People should play the their game the way they want to.

Calen The Civl · Dec 12, 2006, 04:31 AM // 04:31

I don't care for vent or ts myself. I read in some security article someplace (dont remember the article) that such programs can pose security risks because of open ports. But then any program that uses any type of port is a security risk.

Anyway, I had always felt it was a mark of a good player not to use it. Afterall, it is much more challenging to toggle from play control to chat in order yell at your team for not cooperating

Eclair · Dec 12, 2006, 04:33 AM // 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Ma

I tried Vent for awhile, because a guild required it for PvP. Here's my experience...

1) Once they hear you're a woman, everyone hits on you.

Surprisingly, the only time I've had a female on Ventrillo, everyone stopped talking as soon as she said hi. Silence followed for about 10 seconds until I started asking her about her skills and what not, then everything just went back to normal.

Pretty amusing though, I think nobody expected there to be a female playing, and had no idea what to do.

tweedledumb · Dec 12, 2006, 04:33 AM // 04:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cow Tale

HOW ARE ALL THE DUDES PRETENDING TO BE CHICKS SUPPSOED TO PLAY IF THEY USE VOICE CHAT? that would totaly show them for the cross dressing transexuals that we all know they are

http://www.audio4fun.com/

Why do people worry about this so damned much? I don't care what people are and never ask. Why? Because I'm going to be interacting with them for at most 1.5 hours and as long as they don't go all Leeroy on me I'm happy.

Aerian_Skybane · Dec 12, 2006, 04:35 AM // 04:35

Other than the fact that I understand where your coming from, I have been begging (like a lot of other people) for an integrated voice chat program. Can be turned on/off at the user's discretion. Would make things a lot easier who want to use it. Makes PUGs easier as well.

Mr_T_bot · Dec 12, 2006, 04:50 AM // 04:50

Voice chat requirement is another stupid limitation to the game where people already discriminate on pointless, arbitrary ranks. Not to mention, 95% of the time the talk is gibberish conversation.

ChaoticCoyote · Dec 12, 2006, 04:52 AM // 04:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cow Tale

HOW ARE ALL THE DUDES PRETENDING TO BE CHICKS SUPPSOED TO PLAY IF THEY USE VOICE CHAT? that would totaly show them for the cross dressing transexuals that we all know they are

I'd rather group with a bunch of competent transsexuals and gays, than play with the many red-blooded, testosterone-filled "men" who epitomize Leroyism.

As for TS/Vent: I have them, I've used them, and I've seen no evidence that people play any better with and without voice chat. The quality of conversation is about the same as in text chat... and frankly, in a household of players, it could getdownright cacophonous if we were all bellowing in Chat.

"Go left! Left! No, your other left!"

Shadowspawn X · Dec 12, 2006, 08:47 AM // 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anarkii

Is it just me being uncomfortable with it, or are there others that are having their level of immersion, and thus the enjoyment from the game being dimmed by the use of TS/Vent?

My guild is on vent 24 hours a day, I haven't not been on vent in 14 months, thats why pve pugs have a horrible reputation, because they don't communicate well. If it wasn't for voice comms this game would be in the garbage. I advise you to Get a mic and open your mouth, you're not helping your team by sitting on vent like a deaf/mute.

Sli Ander · Dec 12, 2006, 04:14 PM // 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadowspawn X

My guild is on vent 24 hours a day, I haven't not been on vent in 14 months, thats why pve pugs have a horrible reputation, because they don't communicate well. If it wasn't for voice comms this game would be in the garbage. I advise you to Get a mic and open your mouth, you're not helping your team by sitting on vent like a deaf/mute.

Actually pugs have a bad rep because if you gave the average pug vent they would simply argue about tactics twice as quickly for just as long. If someone won't listen to your advice typed, odds are speaking to them isn't going to do any good either. I've been in groups that are so good that I barely had to heal at all(they took so little damage that wasn't mitigated by their own self heals) and I've been in groups that Leroy mobs like there is no tomorrow.

Communication is the problem, but its more the side of "I'm leet and won't listen to the rest of the team" or " This team is leet and we'll simply Leroy and let the monk try and keep up" than it is the side of "We couldn't type quick enough, we need voice". Voice coms are great for runs where nobody knows what to do(for quicker tactics checks) and for when you just want to chat with your buddies. I have very rarely run into a group where I want to do either. DoA is apparently an example of the first, and while I would occasionally like to do the second with a couple of people I know, I can't be bothered for something I would rarely use.

But that's just my two cents

Lordhelmos · Dec 12, 2006, 05:12 PM // 17:12

I dont like vent or TS in random pugs. I find it uncomfortable and people are usually pretty vulgar on vent or TS, especially those new to the program. There are also hardware issues involved with vent and TS. Because of the lack of respect in the TS/Vent community I uninstalled both from my computer and trashed them. If I were to TS or Vent, I would only do it with people in RL. People that want to play this game for enjoyment shouldn't have to put up with whiny brats, disrespectful teens, or other such garbage floating around in the TA/Vent mainstream. Just look at the conversations going on in GoTB and RA? I mean come on, do you really want to be communicating with those kinds of people in live chat?

I personally am not a big fan of TS/vent. I refuse to use it and only recommend it to those people in tightly knit guilds that either play professionally in the GWWC or are rl friends. I would not recommend TS or Vent to any random group, you are just asking to get disappointed.

As for me, I make it just fine in PvE without TS or Vent and I will never use it for the above reasons. As for DoA there are pug groups, and guilds not using TS that are doing just fine. I dont think it is a necessity for DoA, sure it might help a ton but you CAN finish DoA without TS/vent.

Those groups spamming for TS/vent requirements are not the kinds of groups you want to random PuG with either. You will spend half the time listening to someone get chewed out for not knowing how to turn off the voice activation or someone with an echo.

TS/Vent Random PuG is ftl. I dont think anyone should view voicechat as a NEEDED component to fully enjoy the game. Unless you know who you are talking to, just can TS or Vent and save yourself the trouble of dealing with a ton of assholes.

Sab · Dec 12, 2006, 05:41 PM // 17:41

Perhaps people here have different standards, but I find that the number of nice people greatly outnumber the number of rude people on Vent. By that I mean I can count the number of truly annoying individuals on one hand, and I PUG almost daily with strangers. And that includes when there's a female with a mic.

I guess it has something to do with voice comms in general - people feel less "anonymous", and that, chances are, people with mics tend to be more mature and serious about the game. In any case, I can't relate to those who are saying that Vent is filled with whiny, disrespectful 12-year-olds. They're not as widespread as you may think.

felinette · Dec 12, 2006, 06:03 PM // 18:03

I don't use voice comm for a number of reasons:

1. Most PvE in GW is easy enough that you don't need that level of communication.
2. I prefer listening to music when I play GW
3. I swear when I play games. A lot. I wouldn't enjoy having to censor myself.
4. On the rare occasion that I PUG, I spend a lot of time laughing at the group's antics and saying things like, "OMG, this group sucks!" or "Christ, not another tanking ele," or, "Hello, Mr. Monk, those buttons along your skillbar, the ones with the pretty pictures? They actually do something if you press them." I doubt that would be appreciated.
5. If I have a cat on my lap, I usually talk to her when I play (things like, "OMG, this group sucks!" or, "Oh dear, party wipe within a minute, guaranteed.").
6. I have no desire to find out that the sexy female mesmer has a deeper voice than my father.

Just a few reasons off the top of my head.

Ailyrr Merlena · Dec 12, 2006, 06:22 PM // 18:22

Funny, I remember getting into some groups way back in the beginning that required TS/Vent for UW/FoW. This was back just after I ascended Ailyrr.

I've found it much easier to discuss strategy, planning etc in a voice comm, than trying to type while fighting, not to mention, someone invariably has their team chat turned off.

It certainly helped prevent the quests from being taken in UW (not that anyone quests UW anymore).

As for being female in vent, I've never really had a problem with being hit on. I usually get, "Oh wow, a real female" and that's it. The very few times (maybe one or two) that I've had someone try to "hit" on me, I've made it clear I'm there to play the game, and if I wanted that kind of interaction, I'd go back to Chat Room Hosting.

Pandora's box · Dec 12, 2006, 06:31 PM // 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by talon

You cannot seriously expect to do well in DOA by typing every strategy. Vent (not TS, it's lame :P) is almost required unless you want to either take AGES, or fail. You can't just type stuff to do, and unless the WHOLE TEAM has finished the part of DOA you are doing, you'll need to explain what to do, or certain strategies, and typing is much too slow.

If it's only possible to complete DOA with a 3th party program (and any teamspeak program from outside the game IS such a program), than something is VERY wrong with DOA... Unless it's just not designed to be completed.

crimsonfilms · Dec 12, 2006, 07:01 PM // 19:01

I love it when people label anything/everything as 'DISCRIMINATION' for any sort of criteria people want to use.
OMFG he is discriminating against me because I am aMesmer/have a cat/level 12/don't use vent/no deer/etc.

It is not discrimination. Stop using that word in the wrong context.

REPEAT - stop using the word 'discrimination.'

And obviously people who rarely use voice com makes the worse generalizations.

1. Leader who bark are rare in the game - in fact it is rare in real life. Most people are actually introverts. The exact opposite. This is the biggest problem for most vent users. They don't use their mics.

2. Chicks are rarely hit on the game. Why? Because the same testosterone fuel that makes men horny is the same hormone that prevents their ego from being damaged by looking foolish by making comments to female players as if you never seen a chick before. It is like in real life - what percentage of men do you know make a vulgar statement to ever passing female? Much lower that don't.

3. Yes half the time it can be very quiet - just like if you are not in vent. But the other time it is usually like 'Don't remove that condition on me its just weakness.'
or 'I have Empathy on my covered by 3 hexes - dont do anything yet until the other expires. I will tell you when'

or 'Watch me using Heal Signet'

Look at those informative stuff that can you help your team and is more efficient than typing.

Not only that, you can also confirm people heard what you said. How do you confirm if people read your comment in Team Chat? When they are dead?
And yes, half the time it can be idle chat - people getting friendly talking about movies, games and music they like. Hell they even share links to YouTube, builds and forums.

Wow. Social contact.

4. Ego trips and such are no exception to voice com. There is much 'I am wielding a Fellblade of Fortitude and Aegis Shield' or 'damm noob you suck at this' in Team Chat as in voice com. So THIS ARGUMENT IS MOOT.

Eclair · Dec 12, 2006, 07:21 PM // 19:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pandora's box

If it's only possible to complete DOA with a 3th party program (and any teamspeak program from outside the game IS such a program), than something is VERY wrong with DOA... Unless it's just not designed to be completed.

No, it just means voicechat should have been built into GW.

Gli · Dec 12, 2006, 07:29 PM // 19:29

Well, but since it wasn't, Pandora's Box's point stands.

It's ridiculous to NEED a third party program to finish parts of the game.

Burst Cancel · Dec 12, 2006, 07:55 PM // 19:55

Pandora's argument is incorrect. Almost all serious GvG guilds use voicecom, but not one of them would claim that there is something wrong with GvG as a result. There is no relevant difference between PvP and PvE that would make voicecom an acceptable tool in one arena but not the other. As several people have pointed out, voicecom is not strictly necessary to complete DoA. Just as in PvP, voicecom simply provides you with an advantage, and most teams would like to have that advantage.