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
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.
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
Alternatively, we could use some sort of TTS (text-to-speech) engine.
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.
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.
Quote from: Vega on November 20, 2006, 07:44:51 PM
Only games I really like that in are Quake Unreal Tournament where the badass announcer screams "HEADSHOT!" after you just instagibbed someone.
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)
Quote from: MR.Mic on November 20, 2006, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Vega on November 20, 2006, 07:44:51 PM
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!
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.
what if it isnt a terminal?
Quote from: Vega on November 20, 2006, 08:03:26 PM
Quote from: MR.Mic on November 20, 2006, 07:50:25 PM
Quote from: Vega on November 20, 2006, 07:44:51 PM
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.
Quote from: MR.Mic on December 01, 2006, 04:03:36 PM
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!!!!!!
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.
How about codenames like: objective alpha, objective beta, charlie, delta and so on?
Quote from: Lurch on December 01, 2006, 07:44:58 PM
How about codenames like: objective alpha, objective beta, charlie, delta and so on?
I like it. It would also fit with the paramilitary theme for the mercs.
i think that if you do an annoucned you should do it right. im thinking a male british accent, very subtle, nothing like the deathmatch style DA...
Quote from: SpinBolt on December 02, 2006, 02:45:34 AM
i think that if you do an annoucned you should do it right. im thinking a male british accent, very subtle, nothing like the deathmatch style DA...
"Excuse me, dear humble secret cooperatives. One of the terminals is currently being broken into by one of your team members". I think I prefer "The [type] terminal is being attacked"
"Alpha terminal is bein' f**ked up, yo muthas!"
Maybe we need to let Microsoft Sam do it. Don't know him?
Start > Settings > Control panel > Speech
Type in "The red terminal is being attacked." and press "Preview speech".
Quote from: frvge on December 02, 2006, 12:33:20 PM
Quote from: SpinBolt on December 02, 2006, 02:45:34 AM
i think that if you do an annoucned you should do it right. im thinking a male british accent, very subtle, nothing like the deathmatch style DA...
"Excuse me, dear humble secret cooperatives. One of the terminals is currently being broken into by one of your team members". I think I prefer "The [type] terminal is being attacked"
Most brits don't talk like that btw..
It was meant in a funny way ::) ::) ;)
Quote from: Valserp on December 02, 2006, 02:15:52 PM
"Alpha terminal is bein' f**ked up, yo muthas!"
hahahahahahaha
Quote from: frvge on December 02, 2006, 12:33:20 PM
Quote from: SpinBolt on December 02, 2006, 02:45:34 AM
i think that if you do an annoucned you should do it right. im thinking a male british accent, very subtle, nothing like the deathmatch style DA...
"Excuse me, dear humble secret cooperatives. One of the terminals is currently being broken into by one of your team members". I think I prefer "The [type] terminal is being attacked"
thanks for your critisism. but i was talking bout the voice. i agree with you, we should just say "the 'blank' terminal is being hacked" but what i meant is that the actual voice is so aggresive. the voice should kinda be normal and casual. possibly like it is built into the mercs system? not just for informaing the player...
Here you go. Pick MIKE.
http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php
I'm also going to try and make a program that might make these, but with a little more 'umphh'.
mike still sounds a little too computery but im sure it could be adjusted a little bit
Quote from: Jordan on December 04, 2006, 02:43:25 AM
Here you go. Pick MIKE.
http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php
I'm also going to try and make a program that might make these, but with a little more 'umphh'.
QuoteAre there restrictions on the use of this site?
Yes, both the site itself and any downloaded audio files have restrictions. The website is for demonstration purposes only. Website resources are limited and are needed to support these pages. It is not a free service. Direct access to the CGI scripts is not permitted. You may refer people to this site but you cannot have users enter text on your site and use our servers to provide audio, even if you give us credit.
Audio files produced on our site are intended only for private, non-commercial use. This is not legal advice (hey, we're researchers) but here are some scenarios. A class project is probably OK. Bugging your friends is probably OK (with us). A game level released on the internet is not OK. Using TTS for song lyrics and releasing a CD is not OK. Building or prototyping a software package using our audio rather than recording your own recorded prompts is not OK. If you aren't sure, ask. If you need the software or a license to use the audio please contact Wizzard Software.
Length of the input text is limited, usually to 300 characters. Anything longer is chopped off, and may result in partial words or single letters at the end of the speech. The length limit is a website feature and helps regulate server load. If you need to synthesize long pieces of text, the product can handle text of any length.
that website is awesome. the voices sound a little odd because of the word combination but it's still cool and helpful.
Mic knows where I'm coming from with this.
I think the UT announcers are fantastic (lllllllast second save!), and suggest the implementation of a voice similar to the old school UT announcer.
With someone who could deliver the lines solidly, and some editing afterwards, I don't think it'd be that hard to create a kickass voice.
Another consideration is, also like UT, a variety of voices. Choices like female, sexy, male, etc, which will give the player a choice of what he wants to hear.
I'm also partial to named objectives (Pirates, Tea Room, etc), as not only did it make identification simple and understandable, but it helped to create a universal set of names for different rooms. I know I'm not to keen on saying "Go to ALPHA!". Considering it'll be the same names for each map, that's not intuitive at all. Give everything a unique name. Someone recording voices isn't going to have that much work to do, and I think that recording unique names would be worth it.
you guys would be amazed at what it means to get a professional sounding voice to act out the content mentioned. This person has to be available to the sound engineer and do it for free. If we can get that content, then i think it would be great to add it.
How about normal names like we have in PT/CT? You know, ones that makes sense like "Cafe Inside is being hacked" or "Tea Room is being hacked."
EDIT:
QuoteOriginally posted by FlamingGimp:
I'm also partial to named objectives (Pirates, Tea Room, etc), as not only did it make identification simple and understandable, but it helped to create a universal set of names for different rooms. I know I'm not to keen on saying "Go to ALPHA!". Considering it'll be the same names for each map, that's not intuitive at all. Give everything a unique name. Someone recording voices isn't going to have that much work to do, and I think that recording unique names would be worth it.
Wow, someone else who makes sense here.
Fuck that color coded, numbered, and NATO letter bullshit. It's not cool. It's impractical and it makes the game harder for no reason. I want my objective names to make sense.
If they have things like "Terminal A/B/C," it'll be a pain to memorize. It's a lot easier to just memorize the rooms the objectives are in than it is to say "ok, this is cafe inside, and terminal B is in here, terminal A is in cafe outside", etc.
For example, how many people know the stock numbers that correspond to the sect 2 objectives in Station? How many people know the A/B/C/D bomb slots in Deftech? I still don't know them. I personally call them far upper, near upper, and lower for Station, and the bomb I just fish around for it like every other bomb.
As for voices...
Am I the only one who finds the UT and Q3A announcers annoying? They were cool for all of 15 seconds. I know I got a headshot by virtue of the fact that my opponent keeled over and died. I don't need some annoying futuristic voice to tell me that every single time. I loathe the fact that every single CS server makes me spend 5 min to download these sound bites that I don't want to listen to in the first place. Oh, random side question: why do I have to download these soundbites like 15x every time I go to a different server? The only time that the UT or Q3A announcer is acceptable to me is when I'm playing those games, and I still wish I could silence them.
Also, in a game where sensory information can win or lose the round, I don't want some dumb announcer covering up the loud spy that I could be listening to.
So yeah, I prefer text. If you put the announcer in, please for the mother of all that is holy allow me to turn it off.
ADDED: Oh, and imagine the jumbled crap the user is going to hear when the spies hit two objectives simultaneously. The alternative is to make the announcer say one after the other, but the text can be displayed instantly for the users to read right away.
I have a problem with announcer voices, too.
Annoying when you hear it over and over and over...
Also, yeah, room names > colors, numbers, codenames, etc.
I like announcer voices, especially in a big firefight, it's kinda nice not to have to read what's going on and just hear "Terminal Alpha is getting attacked!"
I always thought the spies werent very good anyway if they cant even hack computers without triggering alerts but I guess its Gameplay > Realism :D
I like the announcer, I dont like the way hes all friendly for the spies but then really angry whenever he talks to the mercenaries.
a Computerised voice, thats specicaly not human.
Add an option to have 1 hack on the map that corrupts the voice but leaves the visual hints uneffected. ^_^