Announcer or not?

[goodkebab]

I like the idea of having an announcer for PS...just for the basics though like X terminal is being hacked etc etc.


Saves on screen space for chatting only...and if you are in snipe mode its nice to get a verbal warning.


Disadvantage is we need to do what DA did...and that is have the objectives titles all the same for each map.  DA did this with color coded obj.  ....what would we do?


Then again...this is something we should integrate into a version 2.0

[MR.Mic]

I prefer the CT-styled text message.

If we had an announcer, then we should have an option to use either. One way to solve the "naming" of the terminals is to use a method from half-life. Where you have a common naming scheme for map-specific files that override the game files (hack_1.wav, hack_2.wav), and bundle each hacking announcer sound with the map.

[goodkebab]

also getting a good voice would be difficult.

I do like the idea of a female voice for the spies and male voice for the mercs

[MR.Mic]

Alternatively, we could use some sort of TTS (text-to-speech) engine.

[scope2005]

Hmm all idea's here sound good.

I do like the verbal warning that a terminal is under attack.. maybe you could go with lettering objectives instead of colours?

'Terminal A is under attack'

'Terminal B..." etc.

I think that actually making the objectives distinguishable by colour or by giving them alpha-numeric values on screen, helps to learn the map quicker so I've found. When the Objectives were all Computer/Disk/Bomb symbols it was easier for one to get lost and lose where you were In the level.

Straying from topic a little I know, but I think I needed to explain my reason why an announcer is appropriate.

Also while a little 'Arcadey', I kind of like the verbal announcements that you have scored a 'headshot', or 'Perfect' (when you kill a spy extracting an objective when close to his spawn).

While TTS would definately be less hassle than getting someone to record some lines, The standard 'Steven Hawkings' voice is a little annoying and has no feeling of urgency or emotion at all.
I think there is a website where amateur male and female voice actors looking to expand thier portfolio offer voluntary work. I've seen it used to great effect in a Neverwinter Night's Module and they are a quality on par with any commercial game out there. Although recording a few short lines may not be worth the hassle, so you could try pick some of the more... 'Honey Voiced' speakers out of the forums to record some lines.

[Vega]

I've played DA on the console 3 times now and as I said before, I don't mind the announcer voice.  I would prefer like Mic, for the text to appear when a terminal is getting hacked. 

Having terminals be letters instead of colors would be a good idea but I think it would be best for a text message than a voice message.  I know this isn't a big deal, but when a newb plays a game, sometimes hearing the "The 'E' Terminal is under attack," can make the newb be like "wait what terminal is being attacked?!"  Hearing individual letters is short and not as easy to make out in a firefight as colors are.  Not a big deal since you would see on the map what is getting hacked.

I don't like the idea of having "headshot!" or "perfect!" when something is done.  Only games I really like that in are Quake where the badass announcer screams "HEADSHOT!" after you just instagibbed someone.

[MR.Mic]

Only games I really like that in are Quake Unreal Tournament where the badass announcer screams "HEADSHOT!" after you just instagibbed someone.

[element54]

The announcer wouldn't be a bad thing if we kept it to a minimum. It doesn't have to be an announcer at all it could be part of the security system that is tied into the merc helmet and relays messages that a terminal is under attack. The rest of the crap like "Headshot" and "you better be careful he is really strong" can die with SC:DA. (which is really likely to happen)

[Vega]

Only games I really like that in are Quake Unreal Tournament where the badass announcer screams "HEADSHOT!" after you just instagibbed someone.

QUAKE 3 ARENA!  NUBCAKE!

[Lurch]

It should be optional to use either or both. I personally would use both, just to minimize the times when flashes and smokes somehow cloak the fact from me that something is being hacked.

[Tinweasele]

what if it isnt a terminal?

[MR.Mic]

Only games I really like that in are Quake Unreal Tournament where the badass announcer screams "HEADSHOT!" after you just instagibbed someone.

QUAKE 3 ARENA!  NUBCAKE!

There's no such thing as a headshot in quake 3 arena.

[Vega]

There's no such thing as a headshot in quake 3 arena.

My bad, it's from Weapons Factory Arena then.  Which IS a quake 3 mod.  If that voice came from unreal tournament....then stfu!!!!!!

[Daybreak]

I can do a great Arnold Schwarzenegger impersonation.
But on a serious note, I'm sure we can find somebody. My friend is a Dj he has alsorts of sound equipment and programs. If I had the official lines to use, I can get them recorded and have him put out some samples. Hell, if we wanted some rockin' House music he could make some stuff too.

[Lurch]

How about codenames like: objective alpha, objective beta, charlie, delta and so on?