Ventrilo server?

Redleafe · Post by **Redleafe** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:52 am

As a DM its a must I'm sure. I just don't think it has its place here within the player base, but thats me personally.

ChikenKannon · Post by **ChikenKannon** » Mon Feb 12, 2007 1:53 am

Meh. If you and your friends want a teamspeak or ventrilo server; get one for yourselves.

It isn't really needed for the game and it causes just about as many problems as it solves. If you want to noone can stop you.

Kensai · Post by **Kensai** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:45 pm

I've never understood the whole "Voice chat hampers RP" argument. When I play pen and paper D&D I don't sit around the table with the other players in silence, text messaging each other; we talk, plot, RP, IC, OOC, Laugh, Groan, and share an experience. Not only do socializing, voice chat, and RP mix quite well, it's integral to have all elements if you want anything even remotely analagous to good tabletop D&D roleplaying.

Smacktard players are no bigger problem with voice chat than they are without. If someone is being disruptive by chomping food, yelling at RL people, or monopolizing the chat... stop playing with them... just like you'd do if you weren't on voice chat at all.

Kell · Post by **Kell** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 10:50 pm

Kensai wrote:I've never understood the whole "Voice chat hampers RP" argument. When I play pen and paper D&D I don't sit around the table with the other players in silence, text messaging each other; we talk, plot, RP, IC, OOC, Laugh, Groan, and share an experience. Not only do socializing, voice chat, and RP mix quite well, it's integral to have all elements if you want anything even remotely analagous to good tabletop D&D roleplaying.

Smacktard players are no bigger problem with voice chat than they are without. If someone is being disruptive by chomping food, yelling at RL people, or monopolizing the chat... stop playing with them... just like you'd do if you weren't on voice chat at all.

What about the issue for the DM's?

Kensai · Post by **Kensai** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:28 pm

As far as Dming goes... It is true that individuals on their own TS would be out of DM earshot. This problem would be solved if there where an integrated TS server dedicated to Dasaria. The DMs, as admins, could simply float around and listen in on any group's voice chat. I'm not sure if that is technically or financially feasible though.

While the Dming with players on voicechat poses a couple of extra challenges they certainly aren't insurmountable and overall I still hold to the fact that voicechat benefits the game much more than it hinders it.

dallbee · Post by **dallbee** » Tue Feb 13, 2007 11:32 pm

Kell wrote:What about the issue for the DM's?

No offense Kell, but that comment feels like you're arguing the topic just for argument's sake, forcing everyone in favor to prove their points until you're 100% satisfied with every possible nuance.
Tsk. That's not a very proactive way to be.

So what about the issue for the DMs, indeed?

From what I've seen of Dasaria, it's not a police state. The DMs don't have to be inside everyone's heads 24/7, keping track of every word said, because by and large we can all behave ourselves.
In fact, the general playstyle here is very much like the server I used to play on (a little more RP-heavy, granted), and back there, there were several groups who communicated via teamspeak on a regular basis.
They didn't use it for ALL events, ALL the time...but when they got a party together and decided to break out the microphones, nobody else ever pitched a fit.

I don't really get this argument about it ruining DM events.
There's one very easy solution which would probably work well here: during DM events, it need only be requested that folks don't use any type of teamspeak, instead keeping it "old school" typing it out.
Make a rule clearly illustrating the reasons, issuing the request firmly but reasonably, then let it be at that and see how it goes.
If the DM events are fun, and if people are genuinely interested in participating, then they'll not mind typing for a while if it means everything runs more smoothly, and everyone enjoys themselves.
Sure, there might be some folks who get a little huffy and bail on the event because they can't give up their precious TS for a few hours...but then, is someone that shortsighted and impulsive the kind of player you'd really want in the event anyway?

My point is simply this:
Voice chat in games like this are a convenience. Nothing more, nothing less. As illustrated above, people will use them if they want to, regardless, but it need not ruin anyone else's good time.
It just takes a little creativity on behalf of the "management", and a little compromise from the players to find an effective solution.

--D

Kell · Post by **Kell** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:03 am

dallbee wrote:
Kell wrote:What about the issue for the DM's?
No offense Kell, but that comment feels like you're arguing the topic just for argument's sake, forcing everyone in favor to prove their points until you're 100% satisfied with every possible nuance.
Tsk. That's not a very proactive way to be.

1 [1pro-] : relating to, caused by, or being interference between previous learning and the recall or performance of later learning <proactive inhibition of memory>
2 [2pro- + reactive] : acting in anticipation of future problems, needs, or changes
- pro·ac·tive·ly adverb

I respond to what I think of a problem, try to see all sides ask for thoughts as to either change my view -or- come up with a solution. I foresee a problem with this. And I act upon that by trying to see all sides and make people see all sides if they are willing to open up for it. Yes, it rocks for the players but what about the DM's. If people want DM interaction, they'll need a DM to be aware of what they are doing. Not only during events. But always. A DM can't respond to something he hasn't seen or heard about. And it will be negative on a player's experience here. You play this game together. Every minute you are logged on. Therefore you shouldn't shut anybody out. And this is exactly what a teamspeak server, in my opinion, does. Everybody who's not able to log in for whatever reason possible, is shut out to at least a certain extend.

The point of having a discussion is trying to make someone see that you have a point. On the other side of the coin rests that one is allowed to ask and be open for other people's opinions. For that, I'll want to hear them. I like being told other people's opinions and I like to be persuaded into something better then my own view.

As a past DM on Dasaria and a longtime player on various servers I know what teamspeak can do to a server. Yes, it can be good but it can also be very destructive. On the other hand; I can very well be wrong and be proven wrong, which is why I'm fishing for good arguements and perhaps indeed a solution like the one you have provided. Maybe there are some more where that came from.

But hey, eh.. Whatever rocks your boat. Nobody's going to keep you from using it anyways, so this discussion is probably going nowhere anyways. If people want it, they'll pledge for it untill they get their way. Or untill a DM calls a definite no. Which will never happen, since it's not the real Dasarian way to really restrict players in their doings.

I think you meant to say that I'm not very productive. Because no; that I was not directly.

But it's so much fun flogging a potential dead horse. Dead things are my speciality, afterall.

Kell · Post by **Kell** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:10 am

Btw, I in no way have the intention to sound arrogant or cocky. I realise I come across like that some times, but please take my words a little lighter then that. I'm a fairly nice person, most of the times. My opinion is just that and in no way better then someone else's opinion. In the end if all else fails, we can all agree to disagree.

dallbee · Post by **dallbee** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:41 am

Aaaactually, I did mean proactive - as in, "shooting down other peoples' suggestions as they surface, instead of providing solutions pre-emptively on your own."
That's a reactive stance, as opposed to proactive.

Pedantic nitpicking for the win!

But seriously. I didn't intend to insult you. It's just that perpetual naysayers always get the short end of my sharp & pointy stick, because all they do is sit around going, "Nope, nope, nope..." and coming across as really quite lame.
Your comment kind of struck me in that way, so I may have been a little more harsh than necessary in my reply. I apologize.
On further consideration, we're actually a surprising bit alike in our conversational styles, so I can't very well call you out for that now, can I?
I mean, it's like, "Dear Kettle. The Pot called. He says you're black."

So yes, we may disagree on this particular point, but...*shrug*...c'est la vie. You do still make some very valid arguments, regardless of whether I share you ideas for a solution.

--D

(P.S. - Damn you and your tiny, high-contrast font! My eyes, they burn! I had to copy that out to notepad just to be able to read it.

)

(I understand your point, though. Honestly, no offense taken, and no offense intended. We're all here to have fun together, not at the expense of others...and I do appreciate the fact that you're looking out for the well-being of everyone on the server. I move for a truce. Proactively!)

Kell · Post by **Kell** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:47 am

dallbee wrote:I move for a truce. Proactively!)

Agreed

I'll try to be more constructive in the future. Thanks for allerting me.

ChikenKannon · Post by **ChikenKannon** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 1:18 am

ORC SMASH POONY WRITIN!

Black Hand Enclave · Post by **Black Hand Enclave** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 1:31 am

Someone please get those two individuals' logins so I can purchase some high quality hit men to take vengence for my pupils!!!

Tlantl · Post by **Tlantl** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 6:20 am

With the new technology available for online play, I'm sure things are going to change. I really can't see any real reason not to uve voice chat during games. I'm sorry but the out of character chatter won't go away whether by keyboard or microphone. I might be reluctant to use the voice channel during my time on the server, but then again I might like the system over typing since I type slowly and inaccurately some times.

I believe this is the perview of the DMs running events and the site manager to ultimately decide. If it doesn't hinder anyone's good time why not.

Gildren · Post by **Gildren** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:20 pm

Dallbe, I applaud your response to this VOIP thread.

Viper26, I hope that you don't feel discouraged by all the negative responses that have been posted here for just asking a question.

That being said, personally, I might consider using it if the folks I group with wanted, because I have no problem talking in a "character voice" even if I do sound silly. Most likely though, I would not use it.

And yes, I'm an adult who's typing and spelling are far from perfect.

Wyvern · Post by **Wyvern** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 3:57 pm

Personally, if you are happier using something like Teamspeak or Ventrillo, go for it. It's always been used in the past by certain groups, and it really comes down to a personal preference. The staff use Teamspeak extensively to co-ordinate our efforts, especially during events. At other times it is just an excuse to talk crap. Each to their own, I really couldn't care less if a group was in game using a voice server or if they were typing. If I want to get a group's attention as a DM, it really isn't hard.