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?
Jones81
I can definately vouch for Turtle Beach px21’s, recently bought a pair for 60 notes and they are a worthwile investment and sound great, they work particulary well with FPS’s and story driven action games (eg FFXIII, UC2). I’d actually argue that quality headphones add as much immersion a 3D does
TRiLoGY
I rarely use chat, and that is only with friends. I usually find it annoying due to the dickheads abusing it.
Ed the Penguin
I first got a headset for when I played against my mate online, but then I got into Burnout Paradise and ‘bumped into’ a group of players. These players are now people I know well and enjoy talking to. We still go on Burnout Paradise these days, to compete in some Cops & Robbers and enjoy a good laugh. My Thursday nights wouldn’t be the same without my (main and backup) headset!
Apnomis
I bought the official PS3 headset and personally I find it very good, I also like the Mute Audio feature as tbh I rarely talk when gaming and a lot of the time I just like to divert the voice chat away from my surround sound speakers and into the headset so the whole house doesn’t need to hear 14 year old Americans swearing at each other and playing awful rap music. Though to be fair there doesn’t seem to be much of this on PS3, although that could just be because I don’t spend a great amount of time in MP lobbies compared to the amount of time I play single player campaigns.
As mentioned I’m not a fan of trash talking, giving a running commentary on the action, or just making small talk in lobbies with strangers – if I’m honest I find the whole experience a little bit weird! However headsets for me come into their own during clan matches (I was in an informal KZ2 clan and it was a lot of fun) as you sometimes have to give instructions/advice to you team, and also during co-op missions where generally you know the person you’re playing with to some extent and you need to help each other out – in something like Portal 2 co-op having open comms with your partner will probably be essential.
Thinking about it the only times I’ve spoken through my headset since I’ve bought it are KZ2 clan matches, MW2 Spec Ops, and Uncharted 2 Co-op – I guess that explains why I’ve never understood all the fuss over the PS3’s lack of cross-game chat!
BrendanCalls
Only ever use my headset if I am online with friends or a TSA meet.
I mute everyone else because I just cant stand the inane, stupid, ignorant, petty and thoughtless comments people come out with.
It annoys me that everyone all of a sudden thinks they’re Chuck Norris over the internet.
Damn Imbeciles!!!!!!
MrBlack
i like the banter you get online, you do have to mute a lot of idiots but i feel its worth it. Slightly off topic but i’d like to see the headsets put to better use during single player too, for example hearing commands in first person shooters or for side kick dialogue. Ithink if done well it would add to the immersion.
mcduff1979
voice chat is all well and good but please release games with a mute ability…. the amount of time i gotta sit listenin to 12-15 year olds bitch and rant in games pisses me off!!!
solidsteven
i often use my head set on the meets and can be really funny. plus it helps out the host
Voganlight
I find the screaming kids hilarious, especially when they bragging about how good they are right when you shoot them in the head :D
btime
i use it when playing with people i know, adds hugely to the fun, but not so much if i am playing in a game with randoms as i dont have much to say!
Charmed_Fanatic
I never use it with strangers, only to talk to friends :)