Enhanced Ping / Scripted Comms solution to VOIP

If implemented well enough, I believe that a system like this could effectively replace the need for an in-game VOIP solution for most players in PA.

I know that in-game VOIP will never happen for PA (and rightly so), and apps like Mumble/TeamSpeak work better and have better performance anyway, and it would be nice if hooks into those apps were provided and made easy for people to use. However, having said all of that, I would like to see something new for RTS gaming implemented in PA. This would probably be a lot easier to develop, and frankly, as I see it, would be the best option with all things considered (dev resources, general player technical savvy, players that don't have/use mics, players that just don't feel like speaking for whatever reason, bandwidth considerations, server performance impact, etc.). The best example of the in-game option that I'm talking about is the built in, pre-scripted, quick comm system called Commo-Rose that was implemented in Battlefield (BF3/BF4). I've attached some even more detailed variations of this that could work with a map ping feature to also include reference icons at the selected pinged location on the map. These icons would correlate with the option chosen from this type of "quick comm" system (or UberComm system to coin a term) shown below.

For those of you who aren't familiar with how the BattleField Commo-Rose system works, it allows a player to quickly send pre-set voice messages in game to other players on your team.

How this could work in PA:
First the player would activate the ping feature (either by selecting it from the menu, or hotkey), then after pressing and holding the left mouse button on the map at the desired location (for a second or two), a pop-up menu would appear (similar to one that I posted below) where the player could choose from a variety of commonly used messages/commands. After choosing one from the menu, the message would be heard by all of your teammates, and the corresponding icon would appear on the map at the selected location. Obviously a temporary effect similar to the one used to pick your spawn location at the beginning of the game, to draw attention to where that location was on the map for your teammates, would be required as well. A click-able notification banner (like the one currently implemented) could also appear at the top of the screen, as well as a blinking icon at the specified location on whatever mini-map type feature that gets implemented. There might also be a config menu option giving players a way to configure how long that signal effect and map icon would remain on the map. I also see mods being used here to substitute in various effects for that signal effect, like the one just used in Metabolical's recent Twitch feed (http://www.twitch.tv/metabolical/c/3592564), which would be awesome!

Ambitious! I think we may end up with a more subtle version, but I could be wrong. The budding MOBA genre (you know, the one the kids are all crazy about these days) uses variable types of pings if I remember right, with only a few variations like "help", "attack", "retreat", etc.... This, being a "real" game, may or may not require more nuance.

Hooks for VOIP programs would be great though.

could be interesting, just as long as it isn't too complex.

I completely approve of this. Before that though, we need uber to work on the revamp of the game UI. Right now, even with the minimalistic style, it feels cluttered, and also difficult to interact with (without using mods, that is). Once a better UI framework is done, this feature can be used at full potential.

Yeah, they are working on the UI, and that might take a while longer. However, I brought this up now in part because it appears that Metabolical (Uber Dev) has already worked on integrating a map ping feature into the next patch. So, my proposed enhancement feature could be fairly close if they decided to just add on to what Meta already did for his ping, especially if they implemented it in two parts (map icons and clickable alert notifications first, then pre-set voice messages later). The pre-set voice messages just worked so well in BF3/4 for those that didn't use VOIP, that it just seems like a perfect solution to improving communications in random player team games in PA.

Yeah, I just included both examples above for food for thought. There would really only probably be one menu panel with options around it to choose from.

I'm kinda surprised that this suggestion didn't get more of a response. Would it be that much trouble to implement? Doesn't seem like it. If nothing else, it could be tied in with a Taunt system of some sort, which could also be active in the game lobby. Anyone remember Age of Empires taunts (besides SideSplitter with his TauntMod)?

Might have been drowned out by the hype over the new patch, and all the tourneys and leagues being organised so far this week. I had an idea or two get ignored too, so you're not alone!

good ideaa, I can't really imagine this not being part of the release.

That's what I get for posting in the General Discussion forum!

Seems like there are so many new posts in that area that many do not receive much attention. Oh well.

I know, right? Just seems too simple and effective not to put a little effort into implementing.