Console chat system - Removed?

Uberkull

I was watching the Twitch feed again, and something hit me. There was mention that they "only use voice to communicate, since they removed the (typing) chat system". That's not the exact phrase, but in general.

Now I get it's not elegant to have type chat on the console, see the horrid implementation that Neverwinter beta console port has....I played beta on XBOX 1 this past weekend...horrible implementation of typing chat.

Anyways, if ESO console doesn't implement some sort of type chat, how do you spam trade items,how do you communicate in a large guild, how do you LFG, how do do all the natural things that type chat provides? Voice definitely isn't the answer, 50+ person guild trying to chat? Yea..not happening,

Anyone have further info on this?

AlexDougherty

I pointed this out a while back when all us PCers were griping about us not having voice chat.

Console definately need text chat for all sorts of reasons.

Curragraigue

I don't remember them saying they removed type chat. In fact my memory of the ESO Live discussion with the console announcement was they said they have added voice chat in addition to the already existing type chat. Which twitch stream are you referring to?

Lalaeith

markywings :Hi ESO. I have been looking forward to this game all year and can’t wait for it to become available on the PS4. I would like to know if Chatbox will be available on console versions, as it is on the PC? I am deaf myself so I would be relying on Chatbox to allow me to communicate with other people on the game.

zos_konk :Yes, you have the option of using the text chatbox on console as well. Furthermore, you can plug in a standard USB keyboard into your PS4 and use it to type, if you want.
The chat window collapses by default, but can be pinned to the HUD if you want.

From the AuA. Also found here: http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/147743/ask-us-anything-all-the-q-as/p1

So yes, there will be a chatbox if nothing changed since then

Edit: just noticed the question is about PS4, yours is about xbox. but since the answer refers to consoles in general I guess that counts for both.

Uberkull

Lalaeith wrote: »

From the AuA. Also found here: http://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/discussion/147743/ask-us-anything-all-the-q-as/p1

So yes, there will be a chatbox if nothing changed since then

Edit: just noticed the question is about PS4, yours is about xbox. but since the answer refers to consoles in general I guess that counts for both.

This is awesome! Thanks for the find. Almost as good as a great loot drop! TY

gunplummer

I just bought my kids chatpads for their xbox1 for $20 each, so chatting should be simple if they include it on consoles. They just attach to bottom of controller. I'm not sure if you will be able to map game functions to it, but it should work just like a regular keyboard just really, really, really tiny.

Disclaimer: Older folks like myself may need cheaters to see keys.

NewBlacksmurf

uberkull wrote: »

I was watching the Twitch feed again, and something hit me. There was mention that they "only use voice to communicate, since they removed the (typing) chat system". That's not the exact phrase, but in general.

Now I get it's not elegant to have type chat on the console, see the horrid implementation that Neverwinter beta console port has....I played beta on XBOX 1 this past weekend...horrible implementation of typing chat.

Anyways, if ESO console doesn't implement some sort of type chat, how do you spam trade items,how do you communicate in a large guild, how do you LFG, how do do all the natural things that type chat provides? Voice definitely isn't the answer, 50+ person guild trying to chat? Yea..not happening,

Anyone have further info on this?

Spamming is not good...
Edit: voice chat > type chat but both can work if they somehow enable more keyboard default keys.

It's why I want to port to console

*a new controller that incorporates a chatpad and stereo adapter with back-lit keys would be a game changer

TESO exclusive controller!
Xbox one version could be compatible with PC too

Uberkull

NewBlacksmurf wrote: »

Spamming is not good...
Edit: voice chat > type chat but both can work if they somehow enable more keyboard default keys.

It's why I want to port to console

Voice chat only works in small groups. Have you played a MMO? How do you plan on selling or trading your items without chat? Guild Stores only? How you going to find groups? And how you going to communicate with guild members in a guild of over 50 people? Can you imagine what that voice chat channel would be like....

Voice has it's place in dungeons and trials, but chat is needed in a MMO where there is no global auction house.

So again, thanks for keeping chat for console.

JoffyToffy69

I've been in TeamSpeak with over 50 people from same guild doing pvp. Everyone has their place, most people shut up and listen to leaders. Very simple and structured. I'd hate to be with 50 uncoordinated people. Even just grouping with randoms and pugs can be stressful if they can't follow simple instructions.
Not to mention guilds have a "message of the day" function.

I agree with the auction house part.
But there will be the option to use a keyboard anyway, so it's not a huge deal.
LFG is another concern too. Apparently the LFG tool should work, but this tool doesn't cover everything, such as LFG for X grind etc.

It's not necessarily a bad thing having minimal text chat. Some of the crap I see in zone chat is just annoying.
Lets just hope we don't get screaming kids or people playing music in their mic.

Razzak

Consoles will have in-game chat and voice, while PC has only chat.

Uberkull

Razzak wrote: »

Consoles will have in-game chat and voice, while PC has only chat.

That was already understood in this thread.

Uberkull

JoffyToffy69 wrote: »

I've been in TeamSpeak with over 50 people from same guild doing pvp. Everyone has their place, most people shut up and listen to leaders. Very simple and structured. I'd hate to be with 50 uncoordinated people. Even just grouping with randoms and pugs can be stressful if they can't follow simple instructions.
Not to mention guilds have a "message of the day" function.

I agree with the auction house part.
But there will be the option to use a keyboard anyway, so it's not a huge deal.
LFG is another concern too. Apparently the LFG tool should work, but this tool doesn't cover everything, such as LFG for X grind etc.

It's not necessarily a bad thing having minimal text chat. Some of the crap I see in zone chat is just annoying.
Lets just hope we don't get screaming kids or people playing music in their mic.

I'm with you on all points. On the screaming kids, easy to mute in groups....if they implement this chat using Xbox party chat system. If they try to implement their own where you it enables proximity chat when you get into a area, I'm gonna turn off voice chat completely.

kongkim

You use the traders and you use the grouping tool.

Uberkull

kongkim wrote: »

You use the traders and you use the grouping tool.

Yes, the Trader guild stores created by the community to makeup for a lack of a global auction house? Right. But that also has fees compared to WTS stack of x in chat.

Uberkull

So I've been experimenting with Xbox Controller and type chat on the PC. The controller part is flawless with Pinnacle software, the problem is the chat.

This is my current experiment. You'd think that MS would have provided a PC driver for this chatpad, but no. They provide just the controller driver.
ChatPad- http://www.amazon.com/Chatpad-Keyboard-Xbox-360-Controller-Input/dp/B005A2XO74
Fan made driver - https://code.google.com/p/chatpad-super-driver/

But unfortunately that driver isn't stable and hardly works. It's a old project, and there are a few people that have picked it up but none I've seen work.

Now, back to the June release for console ESO. Not everyone is going to want to rig up some full size keyboard sitting on their couch playing the console version. So what currently are the plans for X1 and PS4? Yea, they confirmed type chat will be there, but how are they typing? Im sure they've tested it in-house right?

Possible solutions I see for X1 is the use of SmartGlass app. But that's not fluid because you can't just hit Enter and type, you first have to bring up the virtual keyboard on screen by selecting a text area that requires typing. Then you have to swipe the SmartGlass app to connect it to the virtual keyboard. Now you can type with your tablet. Hardly a quick way to respond to a Zone chat.

Any idea how they are implementing type chat?

Sallington

It's almost like a console port of an MMO is a terrible idea.

gunplummer

The other possibility is they could include an auto group function like destiny and defiance. You just fast travel to dungeon/quest/raid when enough people have selected it, your in. Problem is you could end up waiting for hours or just a few seconds, but you can at least do other thing while you wait for a group. This may reduce the /lfg in chat and the 6 month wait time to complete quest in craglorn.

Uberkull

Sallington wrote: »

It's almost like a console port of an MMO is a terrible idea.

I mean the ESO team did a great job on the UI rewrite for console. I'm sure they planned properly for seamless type chat on console, right?

NewBlacksmurf

uberkull wrote: »

NewBlacksmurf wrote: »

Spamming is not good...
Edit: voice chat > type chat but both can work if they somehow enable more keyboard default keys.

It's why I want to port to console

Voice chat only works in small groups. Have you played a MMO? How do you plan on selling or trading your items without chat? Guild Stores only? How you going to find groups? And how you going to communicate with guild members in a guild of over 50 people? Can you imagine what that voice chat channel would be like....

Voice has it's place in dungeons and trials, but chat is needed in a MMO where there is no global auction house.

So again, thanks for keeping chat for console.

The purposes of chat that you commented are why people like me turn off zone/trade chats.

Voice chat can work in zones just like talking in public in real life.
I believe your desires of chat are not for communication but rather personal gain by trading and selling. There are current systems in place for this type of commerce that does not require text zone chat.

Global auction house....guild and forums are both better ways to market goods.

Guild voice chatting. Don't assume that this will work like chat but even if they do allow 50-100 people this is no different than talking in public or a sports game, mall and concern. Communication is only happening between those who want to participate. As stated by ZOS, a user can turn this in/off.

We don't know what exactly the experience may be.

For me...the hope is that text chatting is very, very minimal but they will have a form of text communicate as some users are deaf or mute.

Have I ever played an MMO...yes, about 10 different games since 1998 to current. Some even on console, but those experiences are why I'm for a less intrusive text chat system. Also, on consoles, the keyboard functions are limited so logistically there are limitations that may cause a keyboard to feel awkward.

Part 2 of keyboards is...if keyboards are fully supported, why not enable mouse use too. The game is changing on consoles for the better.

Also note that on the Xbox one..there are game hubs, party chat and smartglass... It would be very simple to integrate what already works well vs. Trying to force a PC experience into a console market.

LonePirate

AlexDougherty wrote: »

Console definately need text chat for all sorts of reasons.

How will console players find people for pledges, dungeons, dolmens and world bosses without a chat window?

Hawk269

gunplummer wrote: »

I just bought my kids chatpads for their xbox1 for $20 each, so chatting should be simple if they include it on consoles. They just attach to bottom of controller. I'm not sure if you will be able to map game functions to it, but it should work just like a regular keyboard just really, really, really tiny.

Disclaimer: Older folks like myself may need cheaters to see keys.

Wait what? Are you sure those chat pads are for the Xbox One and not the Xbox 360's controllers? From my understanding they have not made chat pads for the Xbox One.

Uberkull

Hawk269 wrote: »

Wait what? Are you sure those chat pads are for the Xbox One and not the Xbox 360's controllers? From my understanding they have not made chat pads for the Xbox One.

This is correct. They have not made an official chatpad for X1. There are third party ones and they work via 2.4g wireless receiver plugged into the side of X1.

Uberkull

NewBlacksmurf wrote: »

Guild voice chatting. Don't assume that this will work like chat but even if they do allow 50-100 people this is no different than talking in public or a sports game, mall and concern. Communication is only happening between those who want to participate. As stated by ZOS, a user can turn this in/off.

So many wrongs in this. At a sporting event or large gathering your hearing has the ability to focus and filter out background noise. It's aoe sound. On mic chat it all focus fire, all 50 coming at you at once and headphones that deliver it all at once.

Example...talk radio. It's bad practice in the business to talk at the same time as the host or guest. This is because the radio at the other end delivers it all at once. No distance in sounds, no delay, all at once.

If you've actually played MMOs, you'd realize that. 40 man Ragnaros? Yea, there was a lot of muting going on in Vent when you wiped cause everyone was talking at the same time thinking they had the right strategy.

Hawk269

uberkull wrote: »

Hawk269 wrote: »

Wait what? Are you sure those chat pads are for the Xbox One and not the Xbox 360's controllers? From my understanding they have not made chat pads for the Xbox One.

This is correct. They have not made an official chatpad for X1. There are third party ones and they work via 2.4g wireless receiver plugged into the side of X1.

The only problem with that item is that I don't see where you plug in your headset. On the 360, the official chat pad had a plug to place the headset into, but this does not seem to have that.

Curragraigue

uberkull wrote: »

NewBlacksmurf wrote: »

Guild voice chatting. Don't assume that this will work like chat but even if they do allow 50-100 people this is no different than talking in public or a sports game, mall and concern. Communication is only happening between those who want to participate. As stated by ZOS, a user can turn this in/off.

So many wrongs in this. At a sporting event or large gathering your hearing has the ability to focus and filter out background noise. It's aoe sound. On mic chat it all focus fire, all 50 coming at you at once and headphones that deliver it all at once.

Example...talk radio. It's bad practice in the business to talk at the same time as the host or guest. This is because the radio at the other end delivers it all at once. No distance in sounds, no delay, all at once.

If you've actually played MMOs, you'd realize that. 40 man Ragnaros? Yea, there was a lot of muting going on in Vent when you wiped cause everyone was talking at the same time thinking they had the right strategy.

A guild chat is not the same as an area chat or raid chat. A guild chat is like another channel in TS it is another area for people that want to communicate with each other to use. It works well in DCUO on console and I see no reason why it would not work well on console for this game.

You don't use guild chat for raids you use group/party chat for that. Guild chat is for finding people to help with doing something, trading or just mucking around. ZOS have not indicated that they will be implementing a guild chat but I think it would be a good idea to do this.

NewBlacksmurf

Hawk269 wrote: »

uberkull wrote: »

Hawk269 wrote: »

Wait what? Are you sure those chat pads are for the Xbox One and not the Xbox 360's controllers? From my understanding they have not made chat pads for the Xbox One.

This is correct. They have not made an official chatpad for X1. There are third party ones and they work via 2.4g wireless receiver plugged into the side of X1.

The only problem with that item is that I don't see where you plug in your headset. On the 360, the official chat pad had a plug to place the headset into, but this does not seem to have that.

I almost flipped out...I think I'll give one a try cause technically the keyboard can be urged into another controller...and this works great for PC today.

Uberkull

Curragraigue wrote: »

A guild chat is not the same as an area chat or raid chat. A guild chat is like another channel in TS it is another area for people that want to communicate with each other to use. It works well in DCUO on console and I see no reason why it would not work well on console for this game.

You don't use guild chat for raids you use group/party chat for that. Guild chat is for finding people to help with doing something, trading or just mucking around. ZOS have not indicated that they will be implementing a guild chat but I think it would be a good idea to do this.

Oh forget it. It's like that episode of friends where they wait for Joey to 'get it'. "Get there, get there....there it is!"

gunplummer

The one's i bought for my kids i got through amazon (New Dream), but there is no headset plug-in on the chatpad/controller. They use bluetooth or kinnect (which is kinda annoying) for voip.

Personally, I would suggest a regular wireless keyboard/mouse that uses only one dongle. Your playing with controller anyway so response time is not an issue.

Uberkull

gunplummer wrote: »

The one's i bought for my kids i got through amazon (New Dream), but there is no headset plug-in on the chatpad/controller. They use bluetooth or kinnect (which is kinda annoying) for voip.

Personally, I would suggest a regular wireless keyboard/mouse that uses only one dongle. Your playing with controller anyway so response time is not an issue.

Putting down the controller to grab your keyboard is a hassle. If I'm out questing and I want to respond to a Zone chat, I have to put down the controller and pickup the keyboard. Then mob soawns, I get aggro standing there, drop keyboard, pickup controller and kill mob. Think you get my point.

That's why the chatpad is nice. All in one.

Uberkull

Reviving this thread since console beta came out. Looks like there is NO type chat system in the beta, so I assume nothing for release. How are we going to link items to sell? Lol

Guess all guild store sales....get your Walmart trade guilds ready to go day one...

NewBlacksmurf

uberkull wrote: »

I was watching the Twitch feed again, and something hit me. There was mention that they "only use voice to communicate, since they removed the (typing) chat system". That's not the exact phrase, but in general.

Now I get it's not elegant to have type chat on the console, see the horrid implementation that Neverwinter beta console port has....I played beta on XBOX 1 this past weekend...horrible implementation of typing chat.

Anyways, if ESO console doesn't implement some sort of type chat, how do you spam trade items,how do you communicate in a large guild, how do you LFG, how do do all the natural things that type chat provides? Voice definitely isn't the answer, 50+ person guild trying to chat? Yea..not happening,

Anyone have further info on this?

Consider that many people don't like the zone chat spam.
Having it removed in this environment is a good thing.

Now considering voice chat allows you to do the same thing as typing in proximity chat you can politely talk to people and still accomplish the same tasks.

It just works better but is optional and having both would not be an improvement