Alpha Centauri 2

Other Games => Other Games => Topic started by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 04:22:58 AM

Title: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 04:22:58 AM

About 2 or 3 weeks ago, I lost another mic. It was in my backpack as I was on my bicycle to the East Baton Rouge Parish library. I was getting ready for an intense session of Doctor Who on a full speed library T1 internet line with no lag. That is, until I pulled out my headphone/mic combo. This was the nice 40 USD one from logitech. It was crumpled broken mess. Also, somehow, the wire got ripped out.

Now, in New Orleans, I used to buy this 10 dollar one from Family Dollar. I went through about 3 of those. I think you looked at them wrong, they broke.

My question. Do you know of any good headphone/mic combo that puts up well with being portable and does not break as easy? Or am  I stuck with these cheaply made stuff that only exists to make me buy more?


Oh yeah, and as Jarl was mentioning a bit back. I come from a MMO and RTS background where you are not allowed to even play if you do not use voice. Now, I can cope and I am not complaining, but how come the 4x community has never been big TS/vent guys? Always wondered.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2013, 04:24:48 AM

No capacity for that in MP?

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 04:38:10 AM

Quote from: BUncle on August 15, 2013, 04:24:48 AM

No capacity for that in MP?

I am not sure.

I would doubt it as in 1999, broadband internet was a pretty expensive thing.

Not that for AC you would need it since the majority of the action is PBEM. But I am talking even big games like Civ. Most Civ MP games I have been in we sometimes talked by renaming cities. One was particularly hilarious. We had cities in the world called "Drew Brees scores!" and "New Orleans Saints Win!"!!

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2013, 04:41:48 AM

Can they even do that (voice chat) in V?

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 04:50:07 AM

Quote from: BUncle on August 15, 2013, 04:41:48 AM

Can they even do that (voice chat) in V?

Even if it exists, no one ever uses it in 4x. No matter the game. Nor do I want to change things. Hell, there were some really obnoxious folks in MMOs I would have rathered not talk to :) I understand.

As I said, not complaining. It just seems opposite of some other gaming communities.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Buster's Uncle on August 15, 2013, 04:52:23 AM

You're talking about games without much value sans online/LAN live MP, aren't you?  4x is different.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 04:54:57 AM

Quote from: BUncle on August 15, 2013, 04:52:23 AM

You're talking about games without much value sans online/LAN live MP, aren't you?  4x is different.

Yeah. But even the few live MP, no one uses it. Nor is it a requirement even for team games. It has been a while since I have done a live 4x, though. I am talking Civ 4 and gamespy.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 04:56:41 AM

I personally don't know what Vent is, and Teamspeak is glitchy for me so Skype is what I use.
I wouldn't mind chatting with some folks, getting voices for factions that way can be easier because you can coach someone on how to enunciate certain lines a certain way.

I come from mostly an RTS background in terms of voice chat.
If you guys want I can give my skype details and we can chat: I think you lot already heard my voice once or twice anyways, I think I supplied the voice of the Comrades a little while back.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 05:04:54 AM

Quote from: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 04:56:41 AM

I personally don't know what Vent is, and Teamspeak is glitchy for me so Skype is what I use.
I wouldn't mind chatting with some folks, getting voices for factions that way can be easier because you can coach someone on how to enunciate certain lines a certain way.

I come from mostly an RTS background in terms of voice chat.
If you guys want I can give my skype details and we can chat: I think you lot already heard my voice once or twice anyways, I think I supplied the voice of the Comrades a little while back.

Yeah, I think you and I from our gaming backgrounds are the only ones who are really perplexed at this.

Particularly MMOs. You do not do voice, you do not exist.

@Jarl: vent is more of a World of Warcraft thing. Most FPS or RTS folks use TS. I agree I hate TS. Had to put up with it for Eve a few times because many Europeans swear by TS. That is the only MMO community I think that still uses TS. Good reason, too. You have to pay for ventrilo server. Teamspeak 3 is free to set up a server. Glitchy as hell, you are right.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 05:08:48 AM

Just to give you how critically important voice is in other gaming communities, I need to give you a story.

One of the guys in a guild I was part of in 2006 broke his mic. Since he was an amateur boxer and between gigs, he was broke and would not be able to afford one for a month.

Someone in the guild got his address, BOUGHT the guy one, and mailed it to California from Australia.

Yeah, that serious.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 05:58:01 AM

If I tried that with my country's postal system you'd be getting that crap 10 years later. And that's on a good day  ;lol

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 06:04:24 AM

Quote from: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 05:58:01 AM

If I tried that with my country's postal system you'd be getting that crap 10 years later. And that's on a good day  ;lol

US and UK commonwealth countries have a next day air and shipping company called Fedex. It is not government. You can get anything anywhere in those countries - for a price.

He got it in a week.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 06:10:13 AM

Eh, lots of the postal system here is private as well now.
The postal system USED to be good under the Soviet Regime, I could mail someone across the globe (at that point in time) and they'd receive the message, or item within a week and few days. Infrastructure has gotten worse with the current government and its a crying shame, say what you want about the Union, but I find it had a lot more benefits to it then the current government. Of course, I also had a lot of personal problems with the old regime too. The Brezhnev's in particular...

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 06:19:02 AM

All the US postal service is good for now here is these stupid grocery store mail ads and bills. No one uses it. Since then, they have closed down a lot of postal substations including one in New Orleans. that means a letter heading to New Orleans does not head straight there like it used to, but must head to Baton Rouge first. Even within cities, while it used to take 2-3 days, it takes 5. I one time made the mistake of mailing a letter from Minneapolis, Minnesota to Jackson, Mississippi one time because I was on a trip that lasted 3 weeks. I arrived back before the letter got there.

But oh well, I am sending messages worldwide over computer. Who needs the postal service? If only it was not for shipping actual things.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 06:30:13 AM

Mhm.... the postal system in terms of mailing letters is just inefficient now, but for items? Until we get some crazy technology that can beam matter like in some Sci-Fi, physically moving it from place to place is our only option. And I'd rather that be efficient personally.

But back to the subject... my Skype if anyone is interested is JarlWolf. I don't mind a chat, but if you feel just like using text that's fine too. I know folks like Green may have issues with a microphone (In his case, lack thereof at the moment)

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 06:35:22 AM

hmm... even some of the arena guys on twink info are starting to use Skype. They say it is better for very small groups. Unlike the large MMO guilds that need something that can handle 20+ folks and divide them into channels, PvP arena folks only need room for 2-5. When I finally get off my cheapness, I will check into what I need for skype.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 06:46:11 AM

Skype isn't too demanding, if you have an email address you can use, all you have to do is download it and use that said address. And it costs nothing either.

Skype is for cheap bastards like myself. And the best part is, Skype has rather decent quality to boot. I personally don't bother with big groups in chat, but you can have a nice sized group if needed. Which I don't think you will, but its there if you need it.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 06:52:22 AM

Awesome.

When I get the nice mic I am drooling over, I will get that.

And you are right, it does not sound bad. I just listened a while back to the TGS Bloodbowl coverage on Youtube where Jessie Cox, Wowcrendor, Total Biscuit, and Dodger did commentary over Skype while playing Blood Bowl and it did not sound horrible. In fact, it was very listenable and high quality. I wish my cell phone had reception like that.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 07:18:25 AM

I don't even own a cell phone, the things are just clunky for me.
Then again my knowledge and grasp of the newer models is sort of just at the -kaput- stone age level. My daughters laugh at me, im sort of archaic when it comes to communication, I still have an old radio system I use with my neighbours, because I hate phones and ringing in general. And I only want family to call me anyways, and for emergencies/notifications/ whatever that's important.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 07:46:35 AM

I do not know. The newer cell phones are pretty darn useful in an urban setting. Mine is also a wifi hotspot. On good days, I can play stuff with not to bad latency. Your area, it probably would be useless except for forums. In a large tourist city like New orleans, I had issues with latency during tourist times, but played stuff with 100 to 200 latency during good times which was not bad for cellular/satellite. Here, it is a bit better except for prime time like folks going to work or college American football games. (The Louisiana State Tigers are worshiped like a god here... sick, isn't it when soccer ..umm real football is a better game)

My internet connection is usually through a Optimus V LG Virgin Mobile phone hacked to activate ( of course against terms of use ) wifi. It also acts as a router.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 07:52:44 AM

Signal isn't too bad for me actually. The town I am nearby has it's own tower so my signal isn't too bad at all actually... that and one of my neighbours well.. he likes to dabble with certain forms of pirating signal and re routing things.

I think I am going to shutup about this subject though because about half of what you said to me just confused me and made me feel stupid. I'm a metaphorical caveman, and a simple one at that.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 08:07:15 AM

I did not mean to confuse you..lol.

BUT- you have given me an incredible thrifty idea that I have heard in some circles.

These modern phones are basically computers running a version of Linux. Exception is the iphone which is Apple and must be destroyed for the sake of humanity. There are programs out there which will allow you to use skype on an Android linux phone as long as you can pirate a wifi connection. So... you basically have phone AND internet for free. Even if you have not paid for service and it is cut off.

mwuhahahah

I am inspired. And this tangent has nothing to do with mics or the 4x gamer's odd silence as compared to other gamers of other genres. :D

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 08:14:22 AM

Power to the people.
 :danc: :danc: :danc:


Either way, I find limited amounts of voice chat with intelligent folks/pleasing to talk to is better then an over influx of it with... unsavory individuals/ downright annoying people. So I tend to keep my voice chat groups small.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 08:55:48 AM

Quote from: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 08:14:22 AM

Power to the people.
 :danc: :danc: :danc:


Either way, I find limited amounts of voice chat with intelligent folks/pleasing to talk to is better then an over influx of it with... unsavory individuals/ downright annoying people. So I tend to keep my voice chat groups small.

That is the reason why I gravitate always back to the 4x community.

Now, in MMO community's favor, there are strategists and highly intelligent folks there. But it is drowned out by a sea of just really obnoxious people. Even Eve. Though, I will say Eve probably has the most civil and intelligent player base at the moment. I may try back in 3 years. But I think Everquest Next probably has what I am seeking. Voxel based player generated content and sanbox. But, we are still talking Sony.

Exception: the World of Warcraft twink crowd. You would not even think it. But even there, you do get into washed up nerds with unwarranted self importance who were kicked out of guilds/got broke/ whatever who wax on about "important" guilds on backwater servers no one cares about and how "they could have been great" blah blah. Thing is about twinks is there is no hierarchy. You can jot be "internet" important just because you have position and the games still go on and folks still have fun and can go in and out without "punishment".

Sorry, for FPS/RTS there is nothing I can say in their favor.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 09:00:11 AM

 ;lol

The only REAL good RTS community I've ever encountered was that of Age of Mythology's, and that was only because of the fervent and devoted map makers they had on there. People were very creative on that game and the variety and amount of scenario's, maps and other things that came out of that community was incredible. Age of Mythology is still is to this day my favourite RTS because of that, Age of Empires 2 has nothing on it.

But most RTS communities are bland and full of egocentric, play solely to win types. Which makes playing those games online a chore and aggravating for the most part because people don't care about having fun oddly enough.

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 09:38:10 AM

Yes... "chore" is the correct word. We play these games because they are intellectually stimulating and entertaining.:D Not to hear some dumb ass think he is a god or for some win/loss percentage or gear you have as some sense of worth.

The 4x folks do not know about the better stuff. I have married someone (I RPed a priest)in game from an RP server IRL and in game. Kind of a geeky thing, I know. But more common than you think. Get a whole bunch of geeks on a voice chat. Bring beer. The rest will follow. Bonus points if it is on an RP MMO server like some of WoW;s in its heyday. The player base was 40 percent women on there. Folks were literally taking planes and hooking up from only meeting in drunken conversations on voice. Even across countries.

These 4xers just do not know!

Now, my only gripe is that, unlike TV or radio, if you have someone else in the house who is not into it, It is kind of anti-social to that person. I do know people who have gotten divorced due to gaming. There really needs to be a way, especially with PC gaming that can make it more engaging.

That said, things are changing. My daughter happens to be addicted to Fallen Enchantress. I just regret that game has no MP. I heard a story of a father that gets online to play Civ with his daughter.It is how they visit though they live states away. No, unfortunately my daughter is not into Civ or sci fi like AC. She likes high fantasy and is a constant on fan fiction fantasy boards.

I taught her well :D

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: JarlWolf on August 15, 2013, 09:46:30 AM

Heh. My daughters personally like their RPG's, of which I do as well. Just I am more for post apocalyptic things like Fallout or more realistic medieval stuff, like Mount and Blade. I can tolerate fantasy in gaming but the only one I really liked was those old Warhammer fantasy games with Morgan Bernhardt, but other then that I am really not all that entranced by flying witch elves from mount fairybutt.

In short: I am more for survivalistic RPG's, the type where you need to eat, drink to survive, (but not so much where its like that horrid monstrosity of a game Sims, that's just incentive for developing depression or sociopathic tendencies) and has lots of gritty atmosphere and challenge to it, but also sandbox freedom.

Edit: Had to edit that  ;lol

Title: Re: PC Microphones (and the 4x community).
Post by: Green1 on August 15, 2013, 10:17:45 AM

Fallen Enchantress is pretty gritty. That world is out to kill you. I made a comment that i had not seen a more hostile world in a 4x since Alpha Centauri. Kael from CFC pretty much nailed it.

No elves from Mt fairybutt, either... ;lol

The daughter LOVES it!