Emotes
Emotes in MMORPGs have always been a great means to facilitate social interaction. You can hail your friends when you meet them, laugh at their jokes or show displeasure at those indulging in tomfoolery and shenanigans. They can also be used in events, such as dance competitions or as specific actions to be undertaken in quests. Then of course there is the inherent need of some gamers to collect all possible emotes available in a game and the business opportunities that this offers to developers. Thus, emotes are an integral part of MMOs and source of amusement and pleasure for many players.
Emotes in MMORPGs have always been a great means to facilitate social interaction. You can hail your friends when you meet them, laugh at their jokes or show displeasure at those indulging in tomfoolery and shenanigans. They can also be used in events, such as dance competitions or as specific actions to be undertaken in quests. Then of course there is the inherent need of some gamers to collect all possible emotes available in a game and the business opportunities that this offers to developers. Thus, emotes are an integral part of MMOs and source of amusement and pleasure for many players.
Over the years I have always played many MMOs and one of the first things I’ve always done when in-game is check out what emotes are available. I am especially fond of those found in LOTRO, which are very rich and varied. For starters there are race specific dances which do reflect the appropriate idiom of Elves, Dwarves and Men. However, it is the Hobbit specific emotes that seem to have had the greatest amount of love lavished upon them by the developers. Then there are a wealth of social interactions and humourous embellishments, such as Wippitydo, Surrender and Toast. The Toast emote is gained from an anniversary quest, so is somewhat rare with only a limited yearly window to obtain it.
However, Star Trek Online have a diverse collection of emotes which can give other MMOs a run for their money. Naturally there are many that replicate signature salutes and greetings that can be found directly in the various TV shows. Obviously, anything Klingon is very bombastic. However, it is with the dance emotes that the game really excels, and they feature heavily in the summer festival dance competition on Risa. But for me the jewel in the crown is an emote that Cryptic have just recently given away during the Hearts and Minds mission for Halloween. Namely the iconic Michael Jackson Zombie Dance, from the Thriller music video. There was a dozen or so player performing this emote on Drozana station tonight. I have no idea how they managed to synchronise everyone, but it really looked good. I laughed like a drain.
Naturally there are some players who don’t care that much for in-game emotes and think that they’re simply a cosmetic bauble. Each to their own I guess. Plus, there is scope for some players to be a nuisance with communal emotes, although games like LOTRO do have a facility to turn them off. Ultimately, I find that it is the little things within the MMO genre such as emotes, that are increasingly providing my main source of interest in such games. Furthermore, if games must have a cash store then selling emotes is less bothersome than peddling more tangible items that boost performance. In the meantime, I’m off to laugh myself stupid watch Junkrat do his Vaudeville emote in Overwatch.
Gaming and Voice Chat
I was reading through the patch notes for the latest test build for LOTRO (Bullroarer Update 21.2 - Beta 1 Take 2) and was interested to find down at the bottom of the list, a reference to some changes that are coming to in-game voice chat. Namely, party member voice volume can be adjusted individually. Party volume control visibility can be toggled by clicking on the party voice chat icon for party members. Default Group Volume preference are to be added to the Voice section of Audio options. The volume slider can be used to set the default voice volume level of new group members. Its 75% volume by default. Well, huzzah with highly polished brass knobs on. I’m pleased that this is being done but isn’t it somewhat late? We could have done with these improvements a decade ago.
I was reading through the patch notes for the latest test build for LOTRO (Bullroarer Update 21.2 - Beta 1 Take 2) and was interested to find down at the bottom of the list, a reference to some changes that are coming to in-game voice chat. Namely, party member voice volume can be adjusted individually. Party volume control visibility can be toggled by clicking on the party voice chat icon for party members. Default Group Volume preference are to be added to the Voice section of Audio options. The volume slider can be used to set the default voice volume level of new group members. Its 75% volume by default. Well, huzzah with highly polished brass knobs on. I’m pleased that this is being done but isn’t it somewhat late? We could have done with these improvements a decade ago.
For years LOTRO players have had the benefit of an in-built voice chat service, rather than having to install and configure a third-party application. It was quite a far-reaching thing to do by then developers Turbine, when the game launched back in 2007. However, for years we’ve also had the endure the following issues. Players whose volume levels are simply too low. Players whose volume levels are simply too high. Microphones picking up and repeating voice traffic. Microphones picking up ambient background noise. Poorly configured microphones, producing "pop", distortion and feedback. For every good experience I’ve had with LOTRO voice chat, I also had a bad one. I’ve spent evenings either being deafened by my colleagues or struggling to understand them due to low volume or distortion.
So, I guess it’s good that these problems are being addressed but I must admit, it’s because of them that I’ve been running a TeamSpeak server for the last seven years. However, third party solutions come with their own set of issues. Some solutions such as TeamSpeak have to be paid for. It’s not a fortune but it does add to your ongoing gaming costs. Other services like Discord are free but that can be subject to change. I’ve always been reticent about becoming reliant on free online services as we have no consumer rights should they change business model or decide to discontinue. Which then returns me LOTRO’s built in voice chat service. Considering how crucial voice chat is to the game and the MMO genre, you’d have thought such a facility would have been more common place in other titles.
Star Trek Online is the only other MMO that I’m aware of that boasts in-game voice chat. Perhaps the increasingly solo friendly nature of subsequent MMOs has meant that voice chat is no longer considered important. Or perhaps the licensing of the technology added too much to development costs. However, where the significance of voice chat may have diminished in some genres, it has increased in others. Overwatch, Grand Theft Auto Online and PlayerUnkown’s Battlegrounds all include an in-game voice chat service. PUBG actually has a proximity based chat service as well as team support. It offers a rather interesting perspective to be able to hear your opponent. Then of course there is voice support built into software distribution clients such as Steam and origin. It would appear that third party retailers still deem voice chat to be of merit, even if some developers do not.
However, I do acknowledge the fact that not every user is comfortable speaking publicly and that for everyone who is happy to converse whilst playing a game, there others who are not. However, even if you don’t wish to participate in group chat, you can always mute your microphone and still benefit from being able to hear what’s going on. Sadly, it would be naïve to ignore the fact that voice chat can be a gateway into one of the lower circles of hell and that it can be abused. I have voice chat muted whenever I play Overwatch unless I’m among friends. Bearing that in mind, I guess another reason why some developers won’t include voice chat with their products is that they don’t want to be lumbered with the responsibility of having to police it. Not that Blizzard does much in this respect. Anyway, despite the disparity in up take, I believe the ongoing popularity of co-op based games (as opposed to MMOs) will ensure that in-game voice chat doesn’t vanish. Perhaps as the technology improves, it may evolve beyond just audio into video. There’s a scary thought.
Lockboxes
It would appear that lockboxes are being discussed once again. Bhagpuss wrote a post over at Inventory Full yesterday, which subsequently got used as a talking point on Massively Overpowered today. What made the debate a little different this time around, was that Bhagpuss doesn’t object to lockboxses per se, merely that in most games that have them, the content is frequently lacklustre and uninspiring. A point I am compelled to concur with. I too have no major objection to lockboxes in principle and partake of them from time to time in various games. However, they seldom seem to contain anything that I consider to be of tangible benefit to me. I want pets, gear and weapons. But because of vocal complaints from certain quarters, we are more often than not saddled with inconsequential convenience items and minor cosmetics baubles and trinkets.
It would appear that lockboxes are being discussed once again. Bhagpuss wrote a post over at Inventory Full yesterday, which subsequently got used as a talking point on Massively Overpowered today. What made the debate a little different this time around, was that Bhagpuss doesn’t object to lockboxses per se, merely that in most games that have them, the content is frequently lacklustre and uninspiring. A point I am compelled to concur with. I too have no major objection to lockboxes in principle and partake of them from time to time in various games. However, they seldom seem to contain anything that I consider to be of tangible benefit to me. I want pets, gear and weapons. But because of vocal complaints from certain quarters, we are more often than not saddled with inconsequential convenience items and minor cosmetics baubles and trinkets.
Lockboxes in Star Trek Online are themed and are only available in the game for a limited period of time. There is a nominal percentage chance to win gear, or even a ship if you are “lucky enough”. However, at the very least, each lockbox yields a quantity of Lobi crystals which are a barter currency. If one ever buys keys to open lockboxes it is best to consider the transaction as a means of buying currency that can be traded in for items. Winning a desirable item on top as that is then an added bonus. That is how I think of things on the occasions I purchase keys. Such an outlook then mitigates concerns over gambling although I have no major qualms about that subject either.
However, where STO handles lockboxes in a manner I like, many other MMOs do not. I have yet to find anything of note from one in LOTRO, Guild Wars 2 or Overwatch. The propensity to provided cosmetic or housing items means that lockboxes are often the prerogative of the role players or the game completists. I’m sure the developers target such a market because they pay dividends but if they could broaden their outlook and diversify the rewards there is scope for lockboxes to appeal to a wider number of consumers. Offering bag or bank space, or further character slots could potentially be attractive. Personally, I would like to see more game gear included but that would result in sabre rattling form the “pay to win crowd”. I certainly think that all lockbox rewards should be bind on equip and if not wanted available to sell via the game auction system.
Ultimately, lockboxes are symptomatic of game developers struggling to find a universally acceptable means to finance their game. The demise of the subscription model has left many MMOs in the thrall of an unsatisfactory hybrid F2P business models that have done precious little to improve the overall quality of the games. Monetisation of this kind impacts upon the conception and design of both content as well as game mechanics and seldom in a positive way. If this business model can be overturned for something better, then lockboxes may well go the way of the Dodo. However, that is not something that seems imminent at present so what can’t be cured must be endured. The current debate will more than likely have no effect on developers who have a propensity to repeat their mistakes and so the lockbox will continue as a gaming bête noire.
Yet Another Divided Community?
Overwatch is currently celebrating the Chinese New Year with an event that adds not only additional cosmetic skins but also a new game mode. Capture the Rooster is a themed variation of capture the flag. What makes this new content so interesting is that Blizzard initially stated that such a game mechanic would not be viable for the game, due to the abilities of specific characters giving them an unfair advantage. However, the developers have placed a time delay between capturing the flag and when a player can run with it, allegedly mitigating this loophole. Yet despite this change Capture the Rooster is still proving controversial with the player base. Feel free to peruse the comments section over at Polygon or on the Overwatch subreddit for further information. The key to success appears to be with having a balanced organised team. Thus, guilds that player regularly fair better than players who just auto group.
Overwatch is currently celebrating the Chinese New Year with an event that adds not only additional cosmetic skins but also a new game mode. Capture the Rooster is a themed variation of capture the flag. What makes this new content so interesting is that Blizzard initially stated that such a game mechanic would not be viable for the game, due to the abilities of specific characters giving them an unfair advantage. However, the developers have placed a time delay between capturing the flag and when a player can run with it, allegedly mitigating this loophole. Yet despite this change Capture the Rooster is still proving controversial with the player base. Feel free to peruse the comments section over at Polygon or on the Overwatch subreddit for further information. The key to success appears to be with having a balanced organised team. Thus, guilds that player regularly fair better than players who just auto group.
This point and others demonstrate the divide that has quickly formed within the Overwatch community. As ever this division forms around player styles. Specifically, casual players who auto group and play for fun and those who pursue ranked competitive gameplay. I’ve read a lot recently about the alleged “toxicity” of the Overwatch community but have not encountered it myself until recently. But then again, I have been “playing in the shallow end” with regard to my time in game. I usually just use the Quick Play facility to auto group with players of my level. If I want to try and familiarise myself with a new character, then I play against the game AI. So far, all my interactions with other players have been positive. There’s been a few crass comments but they’ve been few and far between. However, as I recently hit level 30, I decided to give the Competitive Play ago and the difference in behaviour was striking.
Competitive gameplay can be a good thing, or so I’m told. Please insert all the usual platitudes about team dynamics, creating communities and building character here. I’m not sure if they are applicable to all players but I’m prepared to consider that not everyone partaking of Competitive Play in Overwatch is ill-mannered and ill humoured. Yet the reality is that a lot are and as ever they leech all the enjoyment out of the proceedings. Tantrums about changing characters as well as blame and anger after a lost round are all too frequent. As ever, racially abusive terms, sexually violent threats and brooding rancour liberally abound in text and audio chat. There’s a somewhat tiresome and tedious inevitability about this state of affairs. Furthermore, it’s sad because the ranked games in Overwatch, do tend to be better. Players show a far greater understanding on their character’s skills and have better situational awareness. I must admit I’ve been impressed by the standard of the games I lost. It’s just a shame that all this goes hand in glove with a simultaneous race to the bottom.
I and possibly many of my colleagues have reached a point now in our respective gaming lives where these kinds of community divides are just a fact of life. Ranked playing simply comes with baggage and you just have to roll with it. If such a mechanic is introduced in to any game, then this kind of behaviour always manifests itself. Of course, different developers try different approaches to correct this situation, with vary degrees of sincerity and success but I suspect it is ultimately unsolvable. The anonymity of the internet simply frees people from social convention and shows that perhaps our default position isn’t as nice as we would like to think. So, it’s back to the “shallow end” for me. I have insufficient skill anyway to truly thrive in ranked gameplay and as a result I don’t enjoy such an environment. As for the issues of division and “toxicity” (which is a nebulous term) perhaps they just prove that the brotherhood of gamers, so often extolled, is a myth and that we all play for vastly differing reasons. Therefore, why should we all get along?