[2019] A proper 'Chat System' has to be one of the top priorities after launch

Originally posted by Miseria_25

So, I haven't seen much talk about Anthem not having a proper chat system at launch so with this I hope I can bring some awareness to this issue.

In my opinion, chat is one of the most important features in a multiplayer game, especially when things like raids(or something equal) exists. Not only will this allow us to properly find players to play with without resorting to discord/reddit, this also will let the game feel way livelier. Not everyone wants to use voice chat for every small thing, especially when you have people with lots of background noise like parents shouting at their children and stuff.

Another thing that ties into this is a Clan/Guild system. I am not sure if Anthem will have this but this is also another very important feature to have.

Edit: Many have told me that the reason why no chat system is in place at launch is due to the FCC law. But if that is the case, shouldn't a chat system also be required to accommodate for people with hearing disabilities?

Originally posted by Oxyminoan

That's.... not at all what he's talking about. Voice chat is great to have in ADDITION to text chat, but it's absolutely no replacement, no matter how good you make it.

Originally posted by chadorable

Even on console, we need it, no matter what counter argument is brought up for a very simple reason: puzzles.

I’ve never been so flabberghasted. How do I make three other people not undo what I just did, if they all are listening to music or just have me muted?

Text chat.

In a game like this, where you can get stuck on an objective indefinitely, we need to be able to say “match the colours” or “don’t leave the platform” and not just with our voice that might not be heard.

If at that point I still don’t get their attention, I’d just leave; but floating around shooting at something or throwing flares hoping someone will notice is just as maddening.

Originally posted by Kyoj1n

Don't be like FO76 and assume everyone will always been in a perfect environment to use and listen to voice chat. There are plenty of reasons people won't or can't use voice.

They just don't want to be heard, maybe their accent, speech impediment, or something else.

There are other noises in their room that will disrupt other people.

Their mic just doesn't work for some reason.

A chat box will mitigate all that. It doesn't even have to be on screen all the time. Just when people use it.

Originally posted by snekky_snekkerson

I have no problem with voice chat only.

But i do, really, really want a matchmaking filter for mic only.

Is there a way to do it so that I am only paired with people with active mics? If voip is default on, there will be a lot of players who have it turned on who don't have a mic attached. I want to make sure I am matchmade with players who will communicate.

Originally posted by chadorable

If I didn’t know any better, it was starting to feel like “don’t you guys have phones?” But with mics.. lmao

Thanks for the updates!

Originally posted by DibsOnStds

I think the main concern is more towards text chat. I see you alrdy have a few ppl replying with their points but I’d like to add some that were left out that’ll hopefully be passed on and considered.

Whether it’s voice or text chat it does not need to be fancy in a game. The most basic of either is just fine. It’s not a secret that things like Discord for example will be used often over in game chat options due to reasons like always being available and not needing to be in game to talk, easier to share links/screenshots along with ease of access due to also being an app.

This doesn’t mean that text/voice chat in a game isn’t necessary though. Communication with random players to complete content was alrdy mentioned but in addition to that there’s another huge point to it. In game chats are were a lot of friendships/squads/guilds etc are started.

For example you just get done running a nighthold with randoms and it was a good group.. you type out “hey guys add me and let’s get some more smooth runs knocked out” later they become a permanent squad. Another case is that you have a group of 3 friends on discoed alrdy and find a random you all had fun with, you invite and link your discord and inform them you are looking for a fourth if they’re interested.

A lot of players want to be social which is why the social hub was requested. It’s also why an in game text chat is crucial too along with voice chat. It’s where the first steps of those interactions happen.

Originally posted by Everec

Would it be possible for the BioWare team to set Voice Chat to be opt-out rather than opt-in?
Otherwise, with the lack of a text chat, people who generally don't mess with settings and the ones teaming up with them won't be able to communicate at all.

Originally posted by BsyFcsin

But do you have integration into JIRA so automatically populate your Feature Request backlog ;)

Originally posted by Mystx75

That’s a nice confusing blabla in order to sell the game without confirming that you will implement a text chat for sure.

Originally posted by Bomjus1

is this a "100% agree! we are totally going to be adding text chat"

or is this "100% agree! text chat would be great but we have no plans to add it at this time"

Originally posted by Kyoj1n

Actually the social hub brings up another concern.

If there is no text chat in the social hub than its just a fancy room with players walking around, no way to actually be social.

Originally posted by Bomjus1

as long as someone in some room at bioware says "so guys, what are we thinking on text chat" at some point, and seriously talks about it, i am satisfied.

edit: well actually that's a lie, i'll be satisfied with text chat in game, but i'll be happy if it's at least mentioned and talked about by the team.

Originally posted by Bomjus1

well if you want me to keep it coming, i'll just add one small tidbit

please let KBM users bind L-ALT and unbind mousewheel. L-ALT is in a great position on the keyboard for your thumb to press when you aren't pressing space bar. i use it in almost every game i play. so it's a pain you can't bind it in anthem.

and as for mousehweel, i don't want to swap weapons by accident by hitting my mousewheel. currently, i can't unbind mousewheel at all. hopefully an option can be added to just "disable mousewheel" or take it off your keybinds. thanks for reading our feedback.

Originally posted by Rasgueados

Even when one is voice chatting, pressing T, there is no indication that we are, like a pop up symbol showing us that we or someone is.

Originally posted by Transientmind

Do those improvements include voice-to-text, or are people who can't hear/speak getting left out for the sake of the blind?

Originally posted by VanillaTortilla

Just wanna say thank you for being so active on here replying to posts and comments, even with what must be a crazy time at the office.