CCP To Integrate Voice Chat In Eve Online

In the Game Developers Conference that took place in San Francisco yesterday, CCP announced that they’ll integrate voice communication in their Sci-Fi massive multiplayer online game Eve Online. The Eve Voice feature will be developed in partnership with Vivox, and will eliminate the need for running third party programs for the same purpose, such as Ventrilo or Teamspeak. However, the service will not be free – you’ll have to shell out $10 USD for one year’s unlimited usage of Eve Voice. It’s pretty retarded to charge for something you can get for free; I doubt a lot of people will shed out the cash for it. Either ways, here’s a list of the features:

- High quality - offers sound quality which is considerably higher than other IP-based communication applications

- Player to player direct chat - with talk indicator to show which player is speaking

- Group chat - allowing corporation, fleet, or alliance members to communicate one-to-many within a dedicated audio channel

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- Sub-group chat - allowing smaller groups within a corporation, such as a squad or gang, to discuss specific topics among themselves

- Group leader talk - instantly mutes other players on the group's audio channel ensuring the leader's instructions can be heard clearly during crucial times, such as in the heat of battle

- Map integration - shows where players are when speaking, allowing better coordination of tactical assaults, reconnaissance or search and rescue missions

- Moderator controls - allows leaders to kick other players off the audio channel (in case of abuse, for instance), to mute them (so they can hear but not be heard), ban (prevent them from accessing the audio channel) and un-ban players

While CCP says that it will allow “better coordination, negotiation, socializing and planning”, I think that it might kill the role-playing element in the game a bit; realizing that your arch enemy in-game has the voice of a 12 year old would be a bit of a let down. But then again not too many kids play Eve Online, so it’s all good.