Multi-player and TeamSpeak

[Captain Orso]

I've been flying on the Air Combat Group and 9./JG 27 multi-player public servers :). Both have TeamSpeak servers which can be used by the general public :thumbup:, but practically no non-member players ever use TeamSpeak while playing on these servers.

 

I'm an old bear and have never liked trying to use text chat while playing a game, especially one which requires so much attention to controls and the surroundings so much of the time. Besides, many times when I was foolish enough to try to write something into chat during play, I've suddenly run into a situation where I need to use the keyboard to do something and can't get out of chat fast enough....:doh:

 

Why don't people like to use TeamSpeak--or any other app--to talk during gaming?

 

What would make it more attractive for players?

[Darkwolf]

One thing i've noticed most of time is noise issue and language issue.

 

 

Language issue :

 

Most of us can write/read english, however lot of people just can't speak/hear it. This drive people to be shy with Teamspeak. this is not helped by the fact lots of people underestimate their skill in English.

 

Noise issue :

 

Lot of people have issue talking 2hours in a mic, like having a child/wife/cat sleeping in the next room, or such situation. Some don't even have microphone, to begin with.

 

Cooperation issue :

 

Some people just don't give a crap and want to stay on their corner.

Other squadrons :

 

Other squadrons usually have their own TS. We rarely use host TS, unless we are part of a strike package. in our case, we keep TS for our flight comms, and resort to teamchat for the tactical and strategic layer. Chat message are way better than voice for inter squadron comm since they aren't impacted by most issue and everyone can get it.

 

If we are really flying in some complex strike package, then we usually move to the other people's TS or invite them.

[piXel496]

1. I agree, any online game experience get's better if you have TS.

 

2. The threshold to initially join is often that there is a feeling of social intrusion to an existing crowd, with how knows what knowledge or humor.

 

3. What makes it attractive, is the TS Lobby. It should be like a cafe where you are welcome; chat, listen, jokes, meet and greet and make new contacts. And not an empty lobby with 12 viprooms with each 2 or 3 people.

 

A solution could be if there was a DCS TS server, with just a lobby.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Blooze]

I have found that most folks don't have enough self confidence to even get involved with multiplayer and many that do prefer to remain anonymous out of a fear of doing or saying something that may be embarrassing. The sad thing is that if they would just try it they would realize that we are all just a bunch of old kids having a good time and they are missing out on the best part of this sim.

[jcbak]

I agree with Blooze...... In addition... I've hesitated from joining some TS channels/servers lately because in the past the conversations on the channel have little to do with the mission and many times are just puerile non sense.....which if it was my first time on Teamspeak, would keep my away for good. I'm not interested in taxiway takeoffs, guys shooting each other on the ramp, blue on blue kills, etc. One of the MANY things I like about the 104th server is that the server is well monitored and generally the players are cooperating with each other. Non sense isn't tolerated.....the atmosphere is friendly. The guys there are happy to help each other out.

[BaD CrC]

I am flying only within a squadron structure so I have no experience of public server. Voice com is simply mandatory as it immensely adds to the immersion. Of course you need some kind of self discipline and use the proper vocabulary. But once you get the grip on it, you simply cannot imagine flying without voice comms.

Beyond using TS, I strongly recommend using Univers Radio from Tacno World. It adds to TS in-cockpit channel management, reduces transmission quality according to distance, frequency and topography between the aircraft, comms collision whenever 2 pilots talk at the same time and is very stable in massive multiplayer missions unlike the competition. Several squadrons are now using it.

[jcbak]

Univers Radio looks very interesting......however it doesn't sound like a radio in the YouTube video I viewed. The Crosstalk plugin on the other hand doesn't have the same features but it sounds like a radio and the other folks on the TS channel don't need to have it installed for it to work. Which is perfect for a rogue like myself who roams aimlessly between servers looking for a home. No matter what server I join, the other players sound like they are on a radio.

Edited October 7, 2015 by jcbak
additional info

[VincentLaw]

Some don't even have microphone, to begin with.

I fall into the no microphone category. My laptop has an integrated microphone, but it doesn't run DCS. I use headphones with no microphone on my desktop, so the only way I can really hear both the game use voice chat is if I have two computers open and two sessions of Teamspeak running. That's just a hassle.

 

Yes, you might say I should buy a microphone, but I have other things on my wish list that I have not purchased yet, like a new joystick. last year I tried buying the cheapest microphone I could find and it made a continuous loud buzzing sound for everyone else, so that was just a waste of money.

[ApoNOOB]

I think it has to do a bit with community work also. A regular TS-Server-Fan-base just doesn't appear from nowhere, you cultivate it. :) See 104th or Blueflag for example.

 

Easy rules for server hosts: TS&password in the briefing, good administration of the server, close to 24/7 uptime and of course an interesting, balanced mission which caters to many different playstyles.

 

Of course there may also be bad experiences for first time joiners... For example if I am on a PvP server and there is some fight going on and some poor dude joins and ask's 'how do I start up my plane?' things may turn ugly. :)

[Merlin-27]

I agree with most who have chimed in so far... it can a bit intimidating when joining a TS server for the first time. Language barriers also play a big part. As was said already, and from what I've seen, most who jump in and give it a try usually find a much more fulfilling experience. You can always disconnect and go elsewhere if you don't like that particular crowd.

[JINX_1391]

I've generally found the environment to be welcoming and inclusive. As a new guy I generally log onto TS before I even launch DCS. For example, with Blu Flag I can join in and get the rhythm of the events as everything is loading. That way once I join in on the game I'm not asking a bunch of questions and interrupting the game at hand.

 

On other servers I usually ask if anyone wants to go out as a group or two ship and doesn't mind taking along a new guy. Some people jump at it, others don't. I just try to stay outa the way of the really experienced players and do what is needed of me if they need something.

[Captain Orso]

So many answers :). Thx guys :thumbup:

 

One thing i've noticed most of time is noise issue and language issue.

 

 

Language issue :

 

Most of us can write/read english, however lot of people just can't speak/hear it. This drive people to be shy with Teamspeak. this is not helped by the fact lots of people underestimate their skill in English.

 

Noise issue :

 

Lot of people have issue talking 2hours in a mic, like having a child/wife/cat sleeping in the next room, or such situation. Some don't even have microphone, to begin with.

 

Cooperation issue :

 

Some people just don't give a crap and want to stay on their corner.

Other squadrons :

 

Other squadrons usually have their own TS. We rarely use host TS, unless we are part of a strike package. in our case, we keep TS for our flight comms, and resort to teamchat for the tactical and strategic layer. Chat message are way better than voice for inter squadron comm since they aren't impacted by most issue and everyone can get it.

 

If we are really flying in some complex strike package, then we usually move to the other people's TS or invite them.

 

I know language is a big issue for some people, especially in this very international community. I feel very lucky in that sense because English is my mother tongue, but I also speak German fluently, so that's two ;).

 

I had a major issue with TS and DCS-World volumes at the beginning. DCS was so loud compared to TS that I couldn't understand anything in TS. That is until some clever person pointed out that by right-clicking on the sound icon in the system tray you can access the Volume mixer. TS uses the system volume because it has no entry in the mixer, but DCS does. So you can adjust the DCS volume down so that you can hear TS well while in game to get things just right.

 

I don't know how much TS is on taxing ones voice. I'm told I talk a lot anyway, soooooooo.... :music_whistling:

 

1. I agree, any online game experience get's better if you have TS.

 

2. The threshold to initially join is often that there is a feeling of social intrusion to an existing crowd, with how knows what knowledge or humor.

 

3. What makes it attractive, is the TS Lobby. It should be like a cafe where you are welcome; chat, listen, jokes, meet and greet and make new contacts. And not an empty lobby with 12 viprooms with each 2 or 3 people.

 

A solution could be if there was a DCS TS server, with just a lobby.

 

I've found that there are some pretty nice people on the 9./JG 27 server. One of them actually picked me up and flew with me for quite a while--which means I flew wingman for him most of the time because my flying skills are legendary, which means they live in the realm of fantasy :D and I thought I could learn something like that better.

 

The servers I've seen have not only a site lobby, but also one for the specific game. I can't say anything about the rest.

 

I have found that most folks don't have enough self confidence to even get involved with multiplayer and many that do prefer to remain anonymous out of a fear of doing or saying something that may be embarrassing. The sad thing is that if they would just try it they would realize that we are all just a bunch of old kids having a good time and they are missing out on the best part of this sim.

 

That is I think one of the biggest issues, but also one of the least founded. I've used voice comms on a number of different games and have rarely heard anything much worse than some boisterous banter once in a while. I've never heard anybody say to not speak to them, and if anybody is in TS already, it's obvious that they want to talk to somebody.

 

Of course the noise you make yourself can be an issue. I play only with headphones (5.1 surround), because I don't want to wake the neighbors with battle noise at 01:00 ("land immediately and turn off your engine", :police:).

 

Just the other day, my son came into my gaming room/office and asked if everything was okay. I couldn't figure out at first what he meant and asked. He said I was shouting something or other :huh:. The I realized I had been doing a v-comm check :lol:.

 

I agree with Blooze...... In addition... I've hesitated from joining some TS channels/servers lately because in the past the conversations on the channel have little to do with the mission and many times are just puerile non sense.....which if it was my first time on Teamspeak, would keep my away for good. I'm not interested in taxiway takeoffs, guys shooting each other on the ramp, blue on blue kills, etc. One of the MANY things I like about the 104th server is that the server is well monitored and generally the players are cooperating with each other. Non sense isn't tolerated.....the atmosphere is friendly. The guys there are happy to help each other out.

 

People shouldn't be holding private conversations on TS on a public channel if it's disturbing other players. They should also have no issue with creating a private channel just for the two of them.

 

Sometimes you just have to ask politely if they would move to a private channel like there was nothing to it, because there really isn't actually.

 

I am flying only within a squadron structure so I have no experience of public server. Voice com is simply mandatory as it immensely adds to the immersion. Of course you need some kind of self discipline and use the proper vocabulary. But once you get the grip on it, you simply cannot imagine flying without voice comms.

Beyond using TS, I strongly recommend using Univers Radio from Tacno World. It adds to TS in-cockpit channel management, reduces transmission quality according to distance, frequency and topography between the aircraft, comms collision whenever 2 pilots talk at the same time and is very stable in massive multiplayer missions unlike the competition. Several squadrons are now using it.

 

That sounds pretty kewl. I'm sure if I were flying in an organized community or as a guest in one I'd be happy to use something like that. Does it work well with the P-51D?

 

I've toyed with the idea of joining a community, but I have so little time that I can regularly spend and most communities want regular attendance. At least the ones I've seen.

 

I fall into the no microphone category. My laptop has an integrated microphone, but it doesn't run DCS. I use headphones with no microphone on my desktop, so the only way I can really hear both the game use voice chat is if I have two computers open and two sessions of Teamspeak running. That's just a hassle.

 

Yes, you might say I should buy a microphone, but I have other things on my wish list that I have not purchased yet, like a new joystick. last year I tried buying the cheapest microphone I could find and it made a continuous loud buzzing sound for everyone else, so that was just a waste of money.

 

I've heard that argument for years. For 30-50 bucks you can get a good gaming headset with mic, which compared to the cost of a good joystick or a gaming system in general... well, a good gaming mouse costs more.

 

I think it really falls under the category of not feeling comfortable with the idea of talking to strangers, which I can understand. But once you've done it a few times, I think you'd find that most of the v-pilots out there are really a bunch of great guys, and then the inhibition falls pretty quickly.

 

I agree with most who have chimed in so far... it can a bit intimidating when joining a TS server for the first time. Language barriers also play a big part. As was said already, and from what I've seen, most who jump in and give it a try usually find a much more fulfilling experience. You can always disconnect and go elsewhere if you don't like that particular crowd.

 

Or just leave the TS channel. Nobody's going to follow you and ask why you left.

 

----------------------

 

But inhibition seems to be one of the biggest issues. Maybe TS hosters need to post some rules to assure new-comers that they're welcome and to discourage and discourteous behavior; maybe just to set some rules the way they do thing on that server.

 

What else might be done to encourage people to use TS?

[Captain Orso]

I've generally found the environment to be welcoming and inclusive. As a new guy I generally log onto TS before I even launch DCS. For example, with Blu Flag I can join in and get the rhythm of the events as everything is loading. That way once I join in on the game I'm not asking a bunch of questions and interrupting the game at hand.

 

On other servers I usually ask if anyone wants to go out as a group or two ship and doesn't mind taking along a new guy. Some people jump at it, others don't. I just try to stay outa the way of the really experienced players and do what is needed of me if they need something.

 

Oh, you snuck that one past me :D

 

Nice tips too. You probably don't fly rusty ol' warbirds do you? :smilewink:

[JINX_1391]

Oh, you snuck that one past me :D

 

Nice tips too. You probably don't fly rusty ol' warbirds do you? :smilewink:

 

I only have the FC3 module right now, so typically I take out the F-15C. Working on the proficiency rather than complexity at first.

 

For 30-50 bucks you can get a good gaming headset with mic

 

I can second that, but before that was using my earbuds that came with my cell phone. I think you can get a pair of those (the type with a mic) for under 20.

[Captain Orso]

LOL I've never though of using ear-buds on my desktop system, but if the cable is long enough...

 

Of course you may need an adapter, because the jack on a cell phone services both the speakers and the mic, while generally the jacks on a PC chassis are 1 for the speakers and 1 for the mic.

[Ripcord03]

Me being a rather young pilot on here (most of the guys i end up meeting and flying with are at least 10 years older than me), and the fact that I've been gaming since i was like 5 or 6 if you count Online Checkers on Windows 98/ME or my personal favorite the Jane's Series :)... I've never had an Issue hopping on to a new TS, but i do have to say, when it came to DCS, this is probably the only sim/game I have ever been a little overwhelmed when i first started flying Online.

 

Believe it or not, Language has yet to be a major issue for me, I've noticed most players on TS can speak English fairly well, of course there is always a few times when i've had to have them repeat something i couldn't quite understand, but that happens.

 

As far as Orso's mention of volumes in-game, for users running windows 7, I found this plugin works wonders: http://addons.teamspeak.com/directory/addon/miscellaneous-plugins/Volume-Control-(Windows-only).html

 

It is basically a "ducking" plugin, when people are talking in TS it automatically lowers the volume of all other applications by a set percentage, i have mine set at 25%. I've been using this for a long time, as i've had this issue quite a bit.

 

Lots of good points here, and Orso made a lot of great points, personally, I can't fly multiplayer without being on TS, it not only adds to immersion, it also makes everything easier, whether its in the 104th and simply asking what zone is active, or if I want to link up with someone, or if i'm having a problem, or trying to learn something. I personally learn a lot better if someone talks me through a process as I do it rather than me having to exit the game and search/read up on it.

[DieHard]

I have found that most folks don't have enough self confidence to even get involved with multiplayer and many that do prefer to remain anonymous out of a fear of doing or saying something that may be embarrassing. The sad thing is that if they would just try it they would realize that we are all just a bunch of old kids having a good time and they are missing out on the best part of this sim.

 

+1 :thumbup:

 

About 98% of my DCS time is in MP

 

I should fly Ka-50 with you again one of these days. Been flying my WWII planes lately.

[DieHard]

I agree with Blooze...... In addition... I've hesitated from joining some TS channels/servers lately because in the past the conversations on the channel have little to do with the mission and many times are just puerile non sense.....which if it was my first time on Teamspeak, would keep my away for good. I'm not interested in taxiway takeoffs, guys shooting each other on the ramp, blue on blue kills, etc. One of the MANY things I like about the 104th server is that the server is well monitored and generally the players are cooperating with each other. Non sense isn't tolerated.....the atmosphere is friendly. The guys there are happy to help each other out.

 

Me, too, I'm only interested in mission talk and just limited to essentials. I usually join a TS3 channel in game, but I will turn the speakers off. I'll talk using text chat. Guys want to chatter should take their conversation to a side channel. Non-essential voice chatter distracts my concentration.

 

There are a few MP servers around like the 104th's discipline, but not many.

[Captain Orso]

I've been off sick and not been keeping up for a couple of weeks, sorry :cry:

Me being a rather young pilot on here (most of the guys i end up meeting and flying with are at least 10 years older than me), and the fact that I've been gaming since i was like 5 or 6 if you count Online Checkers on Windows 98/ME or my personal favorite the Jane's Series :)... I've never had an Issue hopping on to a new TS, but i do have to say, when it came to DCS, this is probably the only sim/game I have ever been a little overwhelmed when i first started flying Online.

 

Believe it or not, Language has yet to be a major issue for me, I've noticed most players on TS can speak English fairly well, of course there is always a few times when i've had to have them repeat something i couldn't quite understand, but that happens.

 

As far as Orso's mention of volumes in-game, for users running windows 7, I found this plugin works wonders: http://addons.teamspeak.com/directory/addon/miscellaneous-plugins/Volume-Control-(Windows-only).html

 

It is basically a "ducking" plugin, when people are talking in TS it automatically lowers the volume of all other applications by a set percentage, i have mine set at 25%. I've been using this for a long time, as i've had this issue quite a bit.

 

Lots of good points here, and Orso made a lot of great points, personally, I can't fly multiplayer without being on TS, it not only adds to immersion, it also makes everything easier, whether its in the 104th and simply asking what zone is active, or if I want to link up with someone, or if i'm having a problem, or trying to learn something. I personally learn a lot better if someone talks me through a process as I do it rather than me having to exit the game and search/read up on it.

 

Thank you Davison, I'm definitely going to try that out :thumbup:.

 

Me, too, I'm only interested in mission talk and just limited to essentials. I usually join a TS3 channel in game, but I will turn the speakers off. I'll talk using text chat. Guys want to chatter should take their conversation to a side channel. Non-essential voice chatter distracts my concentration.

 

There are a few MP servers around like the 104th's discipline, but not many.

 

That was one of my points to DieHard. I think it would be good if server-hosts would put up an MOD asking people who join their TS server to use a private channel if they're going to be doing a lot of private chatting.

 

Honestly, I hardly ever text-chat in any games I play online. I'm not of the same generation as my kids who grew up playing and texting simultaneously. Whether while flying or what-ever, I want to have my eyes on the environment. Remember, more people die each year while texting and walking than from shark-attacks ;).