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[Diffense]

Yeah, I still don't give a

Spoiler

fuck

.
[for the children]

Looking forward to Splatoon.

 

[Zombegoast]

Funny story, Dark Souls 2 and bloodbourne have voice chat, and Dark Souls 2 remaster+Bloodbourne allow party chat.

Dark Souls 2 was the only game had in game voice chat and nobody used and kept that off because how bad the community is. But it benefits a lot more than Splatoon. People who are new to the Souls game can summon help to go through areas and find secrets. People can use the voice commands on the D-pad in Splatoon. You guys seem to be trying to hard to find a reason to bash Nintendo. Their previous games that have online do have Voice chat. Why are people ignoring that fact?

 

[POWERSPHERE]

Well ok. As long as we can still call our gang the Hot Cum Boiz then im good.

 

[mattp]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

 

[Neff]

Hahha, yeah I read your words and interpreted them as English would have me do.

No, you jumped at the chance to assume someone would actually be so stupid as to suggest that everyone in this thread complaining about the lack of voice chat hasn't played the game. You have a wonderful estimation of strangers.

 

[Hip Hop]

Given that the game has been created for an all-ages audience I don't really see how there was any other option.

No, still not an excuse for this shit.

nothing is.

 

[Nanashrew]

The thing is, simply leaving a mark isn't all there is. In mobas, as you ping, you normally yell "ms", "b", etc. You can't really do that in splatoon unless the full game somehow has myriads of preset options.

I don't think it's a marker, just calling someone to help them at their position. When that happens you can immediately click their icon on the gamepad to super jump to them. Doesn't matter if you're on the respawn or not, super jumping works anywhere and anytime and can even be used to get out of sticky situations.

 

[heybrian]

I think it feels more "pure" without voice chat. More like a game you can just jump in and jump out of without any kind of commitment without having to worry about anything because you're disconnected from your teammates at a communication level. Oddly enough that's a plus for me for this game while its a huge detriment in games like battlefield.

 

[miDnIghtEr20C]

I really wish the big N would change their view on how to make an online network. It's the only reason I haven't bought one. I want a gamertag, friends list, chatting.. all the stuff you'd get with Live or PSN.

Hope they pull their heads out of the sand on this one for their next console. How's Mario Kart? Can you at least invite friends to the games in that one and race against them and talk to people while you're racing?

 

[Alienous]

No, you jumped at the chance to assume someone would actually be so stupid as to suggest that everyone in this thread complaining about the lack of voice chat hasn't played the game. You have a wonderful estimation of strangers.

It'll never end.

 

[Taker666]

Considering that Nintendo feels the need to protect consumers/children from online abuse (something that, to be fair, they are expected to do far more than Sony/Microsoft due to their family friendly image) then perhaps an option in the future would be having free online for all gamers with no voice chat...and a yearly fee for those who do want voice chat(meaning you'd need an adult to lend a child a credit card or purchase it instore if a pass was age restricted).

 

[exfatal]

I think there's a simple solution here. If you're an adult, stop playing games targeted at kids, if you're going to get upset about it. That means stuff like Splatoon, Mario, and Pokemon, is simply not for you. If you're going to force your way into this audience, when these games are not made for you, then don't get upset that Nintendo isn't catering to you manbabies. You take what you get, and you like it as it is.

Options? OPTIONS? No, I don't think so. There is no such thing as options. Even Jesus didn't get an option when he was nailed to the cross. They build the game how they please. If you want voice chat in Splatoon, you better hope Nintendo makes a similar game for their adult demographic, because they don't owe you options. This game wasn't made for you, okay? It was made for the kids. Everyone is always asking someone to think of the children. Well, Nintendo did just that.

Stop hating on them. Instead, appreciate that they're looking after the most vulnerable of our society. These kids are the future gamers. By the time they start using voice chat when they're older, they'll be more sensible and mature than the average gamer is today, because they won't have been exposed to the filth you get online. You have to think about the long-term. Nintendo is nurturing the future of our hobby. They deserve to be applauded for that.

Fucking IGN. Always stirring shit.

wow... just wow...

Spoiler

that was beautiful man poetic even, i couldn't agree more

 

[Amir0x]

No, you jumped at the chance to assume someone would actually be so stupid as to suggest that everyone in this thread complaining about the lack of voice chat hasn't played the game. You have a wonderful estimation of strangers.

Let me repeat your own words

criticising the lack of chat from a gameplay perspective shows poor understanding of the kind of game Splatoon is.

Yup, still a mass proclamation encompassing a shit fuck ton of people including myself, and still having zero actual foundation for the claim. Don't worry bro, you can try again. Reword it, tell us what you really meant since I have it so wrong apparently.

 

[Crimson_Gold]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

Voice chat is now collecting feathers? The level of mental gymnastics has reached a new high. Your move Ubisoft

 

[Kama_1082]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

well said.

 

[Hip Hop]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

Jesus Christ

 

[Kama_1082]

Voice chat is now collecting feathers? The level of mental gymnastics has reached a new high. Your move Ubisoft

his point obviously went WAY over your head.

 

[heybrian]

How's Mario Kart? Can you at least invite friends to the games in that one and race against them and talk to people while you're racing?

IIRC you can invite people to game but chat is limited to the lobby area not the actual match itself.

 

[mattp]

Voice chat is now collecting feathers? The level of mental gymnastics has reached a new high. Your move Ubisoft

his point seems to have flown way over your head
but ok

 

[Sendou]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

Kind of agree with Rami there.

"Rami Ismail @tha_rami · 3h 3 hours ago
Short answer to responses I'm getting: nobody knows whether no comms was the best decision for Splatoon, but we know it's a considered one."

Pretty much so. Again: people who think this is a result of Nintendo being lazy or cheap sure have a particular way of thinking. We can argue whether it's a good one (I don't know myself. If I had to make a choice I'd lean towards it's not) but thinking Splatoon has no voice chat because Iwata didn't want to spare the funds... Let's just not base this discussion on that.

Voice chat is now collecting feathers? The level of mental gymnastics has reached a new high. Your move Ubisoft

lmao

 

[cheesekao]

No, you jumped at the chance to assume someone would actually be so stupid as to suggest that everyone in this thread complaining about the lack of voice chat hasn't played the game. You have a wonderful estimation of strangers.

This is what you said.

There's a surprising amount of folks in this thread ready to criticise the lack of chat in Splatoon, yet haven't actually played it and obviously show no interest in playing it.

You may not have said everyone but you made a broad and baseless accusation with no proof to back it up.

 

[Satch]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

i am... disgusted.

 

[Morrigan Stark]

Has there been other titles on the WiiU that have online multiplayer and chat?

MH3U

I guess the Souls series not having voice chat is also cheap and lazy. Those games benefits more than Splatoon. Splatoon is just spraying ink in the level there is really nothing much other than that.

Please. Single player games do not benefit more from voice chat than a game focused on multiplayer. Besides which, Dark Souls 2 and Bloodborne do support voice chat so uh...

 

[Hugstable]

It'll never end.

Pretty much this topic is just gonna keep going in circles. It's always the few posters make dumb comment about not even wanting to have the option and justifying it then the other side tries to insult the whole fanbase as if those few posters are the whole fanbase, then shout "it's 2015!" as if shouting years means something. I've already said what I needed to say, don't see how this argument has lasted so long or keeps going in circles.

 

[nib95]

Rather poor decision. Presumably you still have party chat options between you and your friends whilst playing?

 

[Crimson Kopite]

For Splatoon 2 maybe Nintendo will take some baby steps and include two free cans and a piece of string.

 

[cheesekao]

Rather poor decision. Presumably you still have party chat options between you and your friends whilst playing?

Actually, without external devices, no.

 

[NotLiquid]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

Kind of agree with Rami.

As much as I hope to see voice chat in friend lobbies, the question to me from the start was always whether or not game play could inform the justification for removal. There's no concrete evidence to support that it's better or worse with or without it other than there being just as many games working just fine with chat, as much as there being games working just fine omitting it. All I know is that me, personally, I'll probably enjoy bantering with my friends if only because I enjoy doing so with all other games, but that with randoms I don't really care.

 

[Amir0x]

Rather poor decision. Presumably you still have party chat options between you and your friends whilst playing?

yes, if you turn on your XBO or PS4 and use that to chat with your friends who also have a Wii U whilst playing Splatoon.

 

[Overside]

This shows the fundamental problem with the games media, their priorities, and why we are swimming in homogenous factory line spewed shit.

Voice chat is a nice thing to have. It is not fundamental game design, and it will never make up for fundamental game design. Splatoon was designed to be entirely functional without voice chat, you simply look at the gamepad, and you can instantly tell at a glance, what the team needs to do to win.

When you start pushing things that are nothing more than sideline nicities, over fundamental game design, you end up in the brain dead generation we are in today.

 

[Steel]

Dark Souls 2 was the only game had in game voice chat and nobody used and kept that off because how bad the community is. But it benefits a lot more than Splatoon. People who are new to the Souls game can summon help to go through areas and find secrets. People can use the voice commands on the D-pad in Splatoon. You guys seem to be trying to hard to find a reason to bash Nintendo. Their previous games that have online do have Voice chat. Why are people ignoring that fact?

Huh? The Souls community is bad? Every instance of voice chat I've had in Dark Souls 2 has been polite as hell, but it's nice that you assume the dark souls community is particularly toxic. And you're ignoring the fact that bloodbourne allows online party chat.

You're being defensive over a company, when we're talking about an individual game, a shooter, that doesn't have any way to have voice chat on the same console, whatsoever. If you can't understand why someone would complain about that honestly and not because "lol itz nintendo" then I just don't know what to tell you.

 

[Dr. Malik]

Yeah the game is already clunky and unbalanced plus the lack of voice chat on an online shooter just makes this a non-buy from me

 

[Alienous]

yes, if you turn on your XBO or PS4 and use that to chat with your friends who also have a Wii U whilst playing Splatoon.

Or use Skype on your phone, or something.

 

[Jigorath]

There's a surprising amount of folks in this thread ready to criticise the lack of chat in Splatoon, yet haven't actually played it and obviously show no interest in playing it.

The lack of chat doesn't impact the game anywhere near as much as it might in a CoD or a Battlefield or a TF2, which Splatoon is being compared to. The objectives, pace, number of players, and size of the levels simply don't encourage the same kind of tactics and communication required in those games. It's Pac-Man meets Vanquish on crack, and less of an ordeal of attempting to coordinate positions.

Of course, if sharing the highs and lows of the game with fellow players in realtime is something you need, then you're going to be left in the cold by Nintendo's decision, but criticising the lack of chat from a gameplay perspective shows poor understanding of the kind of game Splatoon is.

Which people?

 

[Nanashrew]

Rami is a developer and I remember plenty of developers agreeing with Nintendo's choice or at least their sentiments when Gamasutra asked Twitter if Nintendo made the right call. Many said a pinging option would be enough and have stated similarly to what Rami said. It was a surprise to see actually because I expected disagreement.

 

[Amir0x]

This shows the fundamental problem with the games media, their priorities, and why we are swimming in homogenous factory line spewed shit.

Voice chat is a nice thing to have. It is not fundamental game design, and it will never make up for fundamental game design.

When you start pushing things that are nothing more than sideline nicities, over fundamental game design, you end up in the brain dead generation we are in today.

Ah, the classic "either/or" false argument.

Having voice chat is not a replacement for "fundamental game design" and never has been. Having voice chat does not suddenly diminish "fundamental game design", and there are about a zillion games which have both.

Games with awesome 'fundamental multiplayer game design' are even better with voice chat.

 

[Sendou]

Yeah the game is already clunky and unbalanced plus the lack of voice chat on an online shooter just makes this a non-buy from me

It's clunky and unbalanced?

 

[I-hate-u]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

I can't compare voice chat to climbing towers. One is a game design issue, and the other is just a toggle option for players that could possibly enhance the multi-player gameplay.

 

[cheesekao]

This shows the fundamental problem with the games media, their priorities, and why we are swimming in homogenous factory line spewed shit.

Voice chat is a nice thing to have. It is not fundamental game design, and it will never make up for fundamental game design. Splatoon was designed to be entirely functional without voice chat, you simply look at the gamepad, and you can instantly tell at a glance, what the team needs to do to win.

When you start pushing things that are nothing more than sideline nicities, over fundamental game design, you end up in the brain dead generation we are in today.

Having voice chat in a shooter IS fundamental game design for some people.

 

[Sendou]

I can't compare voice chat to climbing towers. One is a game design issue, and the other is just a toggle option for players that could possibly enhance the multi-player gameplay.

Both affect the experience end user will have.

 

[Saint Gregory]

After playing the game yesterday I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this was more a technical limitation decision than a game design or family friendly decision. It looked and performed much better than I would have expected.

 

[Air]

@tha_rami · 4h
"Are you kidding me? It's 201X. Every game has Y" is one reason we're climbing towers & collecting feathers in all new AAA games.

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're a dev, "all games do X" is an awful reason to do anything. Actually, "game X does Y" is already a terrible reason for decisions..

@tha_rami · 4h
If you're copying a decision, know that no decision in a game is made without a context. Decisions aren't made in a vacuum.

@tha_rami · 3h
Basically, it's OK to copy design solutions, just be really aware that doing that sort of thing doesn't come without consquence or context.

@tha_rami · 3h
Like decisions, games don't exist in a vacuum either - but there's a huge difference between 'my game needs this' & 'that game does this'.

@tha_rami · 3h
For anyone saying 'no voice chat is the easy way out for Nintendo', no - voice chat would've been the easy option. They're taking a stand.

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

It's kind of sad this has to be said. You don't have to agree with the team's decision obviously, but if a group of designers feel that voice chat wouldn't enrich the experience they wanted to make, it follows that they wouldn't include it. It's very simple logic bordering on 'well duh' territory.

 

[Cleve]

@tha_rami · 3h
Splatoon, to them, can not exist with the even the remote possibility of toxic voice chat. That's a considerate design decision there.

Lol. If you have toxic party-only chat you've got some problems that you might need to resolve outside of a video game.

 

[krizzx]

So adding voice communication is only a negative thing? What about teams working together to show off how great the game can be when organised teams play a tactical and in-depth game of Splatoon? How voice communication helps new players really learn the overall game and become better at it?

In the context I mentioned it is negative.

I'm sure it could be used for good things, but for the most part it won't.

Also, given he nature and design of splatoon. There really isn't much that could be coordinated. You look at the map, see what hasn't been paint your color and go paint. The game is naturally erratic and chaotic. Sticking/Working together is no beneficial as that is less area being covered with paint than what it would be if everyone was further apart.

I had a few game where the teams decided to group for some reason. We lost like 20 to 75.

 

[Mr Fahrenheit]

yes, if you turn on your XBO or PS4 and use that to chat with your friends who also have a Wii U whilst playing Splatoon.

Or use the computer/tablet/phone that you and all your friends have that is on all the time anyways and use Skype or a similar program.

 

[Dr. Black Jack]

inb4 "you can just use skype"

Spoiler

and you can just fuck the right off

This is such a perfect encapsulation of exactly what Nintendo wants to avoid. "No voice chat because children might hear swearing? FUCK THAT SHIT"

 

[Nesther]

Do we know if Party matchmaking update will also be voice-chat-less? For all we know, voice chat is just disabled for random matches

Spoiler

which is totally understandable

 

[Throwaway123456789]

There's a surprising amount of folks in this thread ready to criticise the lack of chat in Splatoon, yet haven't actually played it and obviously show no interest in playing it.

The lack of chat doesn't impact the game anywhere near as much as it might in a CoD or a Battlefield or a TF2, which Splatoon is being compared to. The objectives, pace, number of players, and size of the levels simply don't encourage the same kind of tactics and communication required in those games. It's Pac-Man meets Vanquish on crack, and less of an ordeal of attempting to coordinate positions.

Of course, if sharing the highs and lows of the game with fellow players in realtime is something you need, then you're going to be left in the cold by Nintendo's decision, but criticising the lack of chat from a gameplay perspective shows poor understanding of the kind of game Splatoon is.

This is complete bullshit. I played the game during the stress tests, and it would benefit greatly by voice chat (and Pro Controller support). It's a TEAM BASED, OBJECTIVE BASED, MULTIPLAYER GAME. In 2015. With no way to communicate!!!

Nintendo is literally the only company in the entire industri that thinks limiting the options is a good thing. And the Wii U is a fiasco by quite a bit because of it.

 

[nib95]

Actually, without external devices, no.

yes, if you turn on your XBO or PS4 and use that to chat with your friends who also have a Wii U whilst playing Splatoon.

Huh...Excuse my ignorance, but does the Wii U not have its own party chat?

 

[Kusagari]

Both affect the experience end user will have.

No, they don't. One is an option that you can turn off at any time if you so wish. Another is core to the actual game play.

Anyone defending Nintendo is literally fighting and defending less options that don't affect anything core to the game.