If you’ve gotten involved enough in any MMORPG (Online Role Playing Game) and involved yourself with one of the player created organizations then you have probably run into the suggestion or request that you use Vent (short for Ventrillo) or TeamSpeak. If you haven’t run into them yet or you have and you don’t get why you need them, a little explanation.
These programs, and I am sure they are not the only two just the most popular, are programs that allow for group voice chat. Often times a play organization such as a guild will insist on it’s usage for group raids, hunts, and other such group events. Many seem to feel it enhances and eases team communication.
I have used both programs. I can’t tell you I have a preference for one over the other. I don’t. I dislike them both equally.
Yes, you read correctly. I dislike both of these programs. Not because I think either one is bad software. For me they take away from the game play. I honestly do not want to hear someone else whining about this or the other. I’ve been there. It’s annoying. I am busy concentrating on the game and what I am doing in the game. I have no desire to listen to the ramblings of others. I feel obligated to be prepared to respond. And it interrupts my enjoyment of my own music that I am listening to while I’m playing the game.
As you might guess I’ve had a less than ideal experience with the voice chat programs. I was involved in a player group that insisted, to the point of being hounded, that everyone have and be on Teamspeak and later Ventrillo. I got the full experience of the mutterings and ramblings of the group leader who did not much more than complain with regards to other players in the group and how they didn’t respect and apreciate what he did and how much he put into the game and the group. I have even been yelled at over the chat for not good reason.
For the record, in my opinion, there is NEVER a good reason to yell at someone over voice chat when playing a game. It is just a game. I don’t care if it seems to be meant in jest. Without proper face to face communication where you can see the expression you can never be sure.
I am sure that these programs do offer a great tool for larger raid groups. I can see where when you get up past 5 people it is probably very helpful for planning strategy and assigning tasks. I however, will do almost anything I can to avoid using them. Perhaps you will have a different experience.
See you in the machine.
Games
Originally published at: suguayproductions.com/joomla which has been discontinued.
