It’s late at night, you’ve had a long day at work and you just want to relax with your favourite online game. Then, out of nowhere you hear someone that surely isn’t old enough to own the game in question shout “hacking n00b”. Wait, how did that happen? Where did that come from? Surely they didn’t program the game to shout that at you?
Suddenly, a little icon pops up in the corner of the screen next to a name; what does this all mean? You’re sitting there, wondering what this strange phenomenon is, when you suddenly realise that it must be other players talking! Of course, how could you be so foolish? They must have purchased some form of communication device to enable them to broadcast their feelings to the entire lobby of gamers. Crazy stuff, there.
Now, I really doubt that voice chat is an unknown feature to anyone reading this, and I’m sure that some of us have even used it once or twice. Don’t worry, there’s nothing to feel guilty about. Talking down the mic to other players is actually a big part of online gaming; clans use this feature to discuss strategies, friends use it to have a laugh, random teenagers use it to convey their suspicions of you hacking the game, even strangers have been known to use it to become friends.
There’s not much that’s better than sitting with a few friends and playing some splitscreen, but does voice chat work in the same way? Is it better to see your friends in real life rather than listen to them down the headset? That, however, is just the friend part of this feature; there’s a whole load of people that use for the sole purpose of insulting other players. Do people really find it fun to yell down the headset at someone who is simply trying to have fun?
Then there’s the clans that I mentioned. Playing tactically works, we all know that. Commanding your clanmates to get to a specific point on the map using a headset also helps, as it’s the quickest option. Do people take it a bit too seriously when playing like this? How about the silent assassins; those that choose not to use headsets, but play the game tactically, reveling in their victory alone.
Personally, I believe that online gaming is all about being part of something rather than playing as you would in a single player game; although I’m inclined to use this feature less when I’m not playing with friends, unless I’m aware that the people I’m against are cool dudes. So, what do you think of online chat? Is it useful or do too many people abuse it? How do you use your headset?
mcphatty
I’ve been trying talking to people a bit on Burnout with the playstation eye microphone, but I guess all the games I have at the moment don’t really lend themselves to tactics. I’d be open to the idea of getting a proper headset and taking the team aspect more seriously online, but for the moment I’m happy without probably because I don’t know what I’m missing!
Foxhound_Solid
I only use my headset when I play online with my buddies. Occasionally when I enter a room and start playing I might use it, but not always….
It does enhance online gaming experience, so long as the shithouses, screaming kids, chavs, beatboxers, wanna be rappers, nobs, shouters, shit talkers are held further than arms length…
XisTG
i only use it with friends; most of the time i have to mute other players because yes, they play music, babies cry and it takes pleasure from the game.
btw, i use playstation eye for chating, to me it works ok.
scavenga
Would use a headset when playing with a few invited friends only.
Have no interest at all in chatting with random strangers, and I absolutely loathe listening to them.
That’s the main reason I was put off general online gaming in the first place.
hol
On my ps3, I use turtle beach p21’s, clear comma are a must for me, especially on mag.
JamesF
I bought one to use with MAG, but don’t actually use it that much. None of my mates actually play MAG and level/XP is so low, I think it would be rude to argue with the squad leader. :)
Still, it is funny to listen to somebody have a meltdown because they’re being ignored or someone has started a kick poll on them.
Zephyre
Never had any joy using a bluetooth headset on the PS3. I did splash out on a USB set (PX21) and it’s made things considerably better, with the addd bonus I can put the volume up as much as I like without the neighbours calling the police.
bunimomike
I found the PS3 headset to be terrible but think I’ve been spoilt by my headphones-headset on the PC. Regardless, I couldn’t tolerate listening to a bunch of hopped-up teenagers (who I don’t know) smack-talking and basically ruining any potential comms.
However, I play COD:WaW on a Tuesday evening and it’s a staggeringly fun evening because of headsets. Every week, without fail, we’re crying laughing at one point. We’re all grown-up (emotionally as oppose to age) and everyone has a great sense of humour.
I’m hoping the same will be with Persona678, Servern, etc, when we play L4D very soon. :-)
Also, how dare I forget the evening with Andytorr, Craw, Riley, Jas-n, etc. That was tremendous fun (GTA).
shields_t
I find it pretty useful, both for tactics and to have a bit of banter with my mates, new or old when online. There are the odd planks who abuse it but frankly it just makes me feel sorry for them that they have nothing better to do with their lives.
moshi
Im actually scared to talk to TSA members let alone random strangers while playing. Stupid I know
bunimomike
Sorry about that. :-p
shields_t
We’re not all like Tuffcub ;-)
moshi
well the filth you lot come out with would warp my fragile little mind