Keep the Open Mic

[StormingMormon]

I would caution the devs, not to listen to feedback about implementing a mute or push to talk option. I think the way it is now has done a phenomenal job of promoting teamwork and coordination in the lobbies. I've never played a shooter where you have this level of productive communication and teamwork in game of randoms and it's thanks to the open mic. If you implement a push to talk or mute option, you will lose this. Comparing this to other tactical shooters I've played, Six Days in Fallujah is way beyond them in terms of random players coordinating with each other. If you give someone the option to hide behind a wall of silence, a lot of them are going to take it and it will end up hurting the teamwork aspect of the game.

The other thing I really like about the open mic is hearing teammates reaction to being surprised, shot, blown up, etc. I think it adds another small layer of immersion.

As far as dealing with ambient noise or other mic issues, players already have options to deal with it. I've simply asked teammates to fix their mic issues and most of them have been happy to accommodate. In any cases where they continue to be disruptive, I find a new lobby or kick them out if I'm team lead.

The only thing I think you really need to do is put in a good noise gate to filter out ambient noise.

[Kean_1]

I would caution the devs, not to listen to feedback about implementing a mute or push to talk option.

Starting off your suggestion by asking the devs to ignore everyone else doesn't help IMO / IME. Present your case. It will either stand on it's own or it won't.

Personally, I understand the desire for PTT or at least the ability to mute especially when dealing with randoms in a game. .....issues which will get worse over time as it always does IME (e.g. trolling, very loud background noise, blaring music, inappropriate / annoying behavior, etc., etc.). Players should at least have the option to choose who they want to hear and muting those they don't.

It's pretty much a moot point for folks like me who typically only play games like this with friends but when we do play titles with other players (usually PvP), we almost always use a party Chat outside of the in-game comms. We did the same with Insurgency Sandstorm co-op unless we really liked the way other team members were working together. ....we'd abandon PS Chat at that point and use in-game comms to talk to them but only after essentially vetting them.

[StormingMormon]

I would caution the devs, not to listen to feedback about implementing a mute or push to talk option.

Starting off your suggestion by asking the devs to ignore everyone else doesn't help IMO / IME. Present your case. It will either stand on it's own or it won't.

I'd have to disagree with you there. It's not wrong to clearly state your position, in my case opposition to another opinion, before presenting your case. I know you didn't do it on purpose but there's also a bit of a mischaracterization I'd like to clarify. It's not my opinion versus "everyone else". Mute and PTT seems like it has more support then my position, but there are a decent chunk of players who share my view.

The bottom line of my position is that we are going to sacrifice a feature that promotes good teamwork and gameplay to deal with a mild inconvenience. Lip smacking, coughing, sneezing, etc is really not a big deal, especially when you compare it to the potential of loosing the teamwork element in game. I understand that players could simply use the PTT to still communicate but based on previous experience, most won't. The open mic forces them to talk and coordinate with the rest of the team. I've mentioned a couple ways to address the issue so it could be argued that PTT and mute aren't even necessary. If you add a noise gate, you'd fix about 80-90% of the issues people are having.

[Alfie-Sama]

There were some on the DIscord suggesting text, and while i whole heartedly disagree to add that feature in-game. perhaps only for main menu? There are some people that still can't figure out mic issues. And while it's and easy fix theres not way to really help out one another to change their windows default mic so it does not happen everytime. Perhaps this can be avoided if there is an ingame direction or a mic test (like in Phasmaphobia) to make sure the player is coming through?

[BobTank63]

I see no downside to making PTT an option you can toggle.

[Kean_1]

I'd have to disagree with you there. It's not wrong to clearly state your position, in my case opposition to another opinion, before presenting your case.

I only took issue with the part asking that the devs ignore those that want PTT and a mute option. I'm not saying it's wrong to clearly state your position (just the opposite in fact). Luckily, Victura seems to open to all feedback.

The bottom line of my position is that we are going to sacrifice a feature that promotes good teamwork and gameplay to deal with a mild inconvenience. Lip smacking, coughing, sneezing, etc is really not a big deal, especially when you compare it to the potential of loosing the teamwork element in game.

I will say, one persons mild inconvenience can be another's equivalent to nails on a chalkboard. Obviously it's already enough of a problem for other folks otherwise the request for PTT / mute wouldn't have been made.

I understand that players could simply use the PTT to still communicate but based on previous experience, most won't. The open mic forces them to talk and coordinate with the rest of the team. I've mentioned a couple ways to address the issue so it could be argued that PTT and mute aren't even necessary. If you add a noise gate, you'd fix about 80-90% of the issues people are having.

IME, those that wish to communicate, will communicate and those that don't, won't. An open comm won't force people use a mic they can simply unplug, physically mute or turn off. ....but unfortunately, it does force others to have to listen to those they don't want to and noise cancelling is only effective in certain scenarios.

Personally, I'm not a big fan of PTT (I don't like having to always press a button to talk) but I have no issue with it as an option. ....and I do like the ability to mute mics of people I don't want to hear for various reasons.

[Doc_Savage]

I for one so not want to listen to a load of screaming know it all kids, screaming down the mic and ruining my game.
Plus I only use push to talk.

[rodrigoxm49]

Couldn't agreed more. Open mic is part of the core game, part of the concept. If you don't like what you're hearding from your teammates (no matter what reason), just go to another lobby. It's what I'm doing when I have someone with a problem like mic feedback. But most of the cases even this is perfect tolerable, due to the distance between players. Dogs barking, people yelling or such of things no bother me at all since in gunfight or without using the radio, it's close to impossible to hear these things.

If devs implement PTT, game will discourage communication and it will ruin the experience.

[AmperCamper]

I see no downside to making PTT an option you can toggle.

We are experimenting with ways of implementing this that will be available in a patch we're planning for this week. Communication is still imperative to the core experience, but we see cases where open-mic can be frustrating (coughing, side conversations, etc).

[PeterAvastrat]

It is quite useful for determining the uselessness of teammates... One game our squad identified a streamer by his running off and incessant commentary. At least his uselessness had a clear explanation!