[Sugestion] How I see the chat window

Hello all,

I would like to invite everyone to talk about the chat system in Defiance

As we all know, Defiance suffers from a lack of a comfortable chat.
It's good that Trion is trying to do something about it, but last update made ​​the chat completely useless.

Here is my version of chat, which may be more friendly to use. I'm not saying that it is an original solution and that everyone will like, but it can give a basis for a debate, "how the chat is supposed to look and work?"


First, inactive chat window. Nobody recently written anything:
All "bookmarks" have increased transparency, except for the channel "whispers" (indicator blinks to get our attention). The reason is that some time ago we've received a private message, which we haven't read yet. So even if we were "AFK", we'll know that someone wrote a PM to us or for example, someone said something in our group window but we are on other channel (tab).

http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...silent-med.jpg
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Here we can see that recently someone wrote something in chat.
The older message - the greater transparency of the text (until the entirein the end message will disappear). Private message is still unread.

http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...-talks-med.jpg
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Much going on on chat, so we pressed the enter button to say something
Since we are on the default channel, we write only to people in the vicinity (area)

http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...onvers-med.jpg
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Chat input box is focused, and additional buttons appears, so we use 'maximize window'

http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...imized-med.jpg
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What are all the colors mean?

• orange color means that someone wrote on global chanel, so it's visible to everyone.
• light-grey color - is reserved for messages in area
• green color - is for group members
• yellow (doesn't occur in the examples) - is for team
• pink/magneta/violet - is for private messages, aka whispers

And what about functionality?

We can see all messages from all channels in default channels, thanks to colors, we know where message was posted. To change channel we can click on tabs or simply press tab on our keyboard (only when chat input is activated - we've pressed the enter button).

When we are in default channel we can write in any other channel, for example:

Start your writting by "!" and you automatically will write on global channel (orange color) and everyone can see your message. You know it will be global msg, becasue color of your text, that you are writting is orange
http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...ype-global.jpg
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Start typing with "#" and your message will go to all your group members.
http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...type-group.jpg
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Start with "$" and you are ready to inform your clan mates about ... anything
http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...-type-clan.jpg
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Want to write private message to someone? start with "@" and then his nickname/gametag and pink color of your typing indicates that you are writing a private message.

If someone already wrote a private message to you, when you type "@" it will change to last person's nickname that wrote to you (so you can directly answer to him/her). Change names with arrow(up) / arrow(down) or just simply arrow(down) to delete name and write the one you want.

http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...type-whisp.jpg

http://storage.marbel.szczecin.pl/de...ow-whisper.jpg
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So how it works, when im in another channel, lets say in "group"?

When we are on a specific channel we automatically write our messages in this channel, without any "addons" before typing. So, simply, write your message, and it will be sent to channel that you are in. The color of your text that you just type is the color designed for the channel. So, in this case we write in green.



I know it's not perfect, and need some work, but like I said before, this is just the base that we all can work (i hope so), to make good chat for this game. I hope I will find some constructive respond from you, this way maybe we will help both ourselves and the devs.

I would like to see them use something like Aion's chat interface.

1. Resizable, movable, customizable tabs that allow specific chat channels and information as per user allowance.

2. Slash commands that direct only to the channels they are directed to, next message you type will also go to that channel (the last channel you were in) unless you direct it to another channel, as well as emotes slash commands, whisper too, simpler slash commands ex: as you can see pressing /1 then typing your messages directs to the entire area you are in. /Legion only chats with guild mates. /3 Looking for group. Etc...etc...

3. Quick emote box so you don't even have to type if you are typing in a hurry

4. Just shows how customizable each tab can be and how channels on each tab can be admitted or denied display.

Also it includes a quick response key "T" that allows you to quickly whisper back to the last person that just whispered you. Right clicking on a map sends the location coordinates into the chat box to others that you choose to share your coordinates with. CTRL+Right clicking on items in your inventory links it in the chatbox which allow others to see the item as you have it(mods upgrades and all). Others can join your group just by voluntarily linking your group in the chat list. All in all it is a very well thought out system.

http://s16.postimg.org/60wjwnhdx/New_Chat.jpghttp://s24.postimg.org/p46xtx8l1/New_Chat_2.jpg

Nicely done :D

I guess we can dream that someday...maybe...perhaps....Trion will realise being able to communicate is a plus in a mulitplayer game :D

+1 for nateD

-1 for VicousBlood [sorry, man :D]

Just having the time show up would be a help as nateD had in his post. I noticed there are some calls on 'all' for help fighting in places, but I can't tell how long ago it was. And I do have to leave the computer chair sometimes.... Although annoyingly, one of the calls was for kith and kinship and when I went to where I THOUGHT it had been located I found a different (small) mission going on there. I might have been at the wrong place though. Usually when I pass through it says it in big capital letters. I have noticed though negotiating the map there are 'gps' notations near it, in that very hard for me to read, light grey on med grey. If calls are going to come through, which I think a good idea, giving the gps would help.

Verda

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Originally Posted by Verda

Just having the time show up would be a help (...)

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I can't even imagine that this chat will not have any time stamp ...

When it comes to chat about what Vic(i)ousBlood mentioned... I've never had much of a problem with it, not least it seems to me to be too extensive for Defiance.

My assumption was "intuitive and easy to use chat window". One that does not draw attention to itself when there is no such need (the current 'press enter to chat' is very much about, so I changed practically nothing, I only added "blinking indicators", which tells us, that on other channel, someone wrote something and we haven't read that yet).

Colors are easy to remember, so I personally think that they will make it easier to operate. Same about suggested 'shortcuts' to target the right channel - "!", "@", "#", "$" etc.

Often there is a need to write something quickly and accurately, especially when we are in middle of fight or something. So, for example, writing in a clan channel: "fast, need help at Major DM-arkfall" should be quick, it should not distract from what is happening around the player. I think my suggestion partially allows it. But for me, it can be extremely easy to use chat, but others may have a completely different view. I would like to know the suggestions of players about how they want to see their chat in Defiance. Perhaps it will help the developers to make the necessary corrections.

Nobody has any ideas, suggestions? I think this is a good opportunity to say something more than just "chat sucks!"

My opinion is just to merge the two types of chat that have been in game. Place emotes back on the quick menu (they can also stay on big window) and add a big chat window option to that menu. Hitting "enter" should give access to the smaller chat window. Options for chat window, like font size and color, should be in the large window, but channel switching should remain in both.

Bump for those who may be interested in

Great ideas, NateD I like what you've put together in terms of the UI aspect here. The only thing I might disagree with are the use of !, @, #, $ to indicate your desired channel. Personally I'd rather it be the MMO standards that I'm used to such as /a, /g, /c, /t, /r etc. Other than that I like the fade with time aspect and the amount of screen space the full window takes up.

I assume players would also be able to add additional tabs and then filter the default channel as they liked? For example: I could add a tab for Area chat specifically, then filter that out of the Default channel so that it only contained Group, Clan, EGO and Private messages.

Also, what do you think of players being allowed to customize the size of their maximized chat window?

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Originally Posted by Angeleus09

Great ideas, NateD I like what you've put together in terms of the UI aspect here. The only thing I might disagree with are the use of !, @, #, $ to indicate your desired channel. Personally I'd rather it be the MMO standards that I'm used to such as /a, /g, /c, /t, /r etc. Other than that I like the fade with time aspect and the amount of screen space the full window takes up.

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This point requires a really large number of comments. I just threw loosely proposal. I also appreciate your suggestion (which is pretty good). I do not think that my suggestion was perfect, but it makes it possible to facilitate the use of chat (as well as your). How it will be done? I think the more opinions the better. Developers will have some idea of ​​which direction to go.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Angeleus09

I assume players would also be able to add additional tabs and then filter the default channel as they liked? For example: I could add a tab for Area chat specifically, then filter that out of the Default channel so that it only contained Group, Clan, EGO and Private messages.

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I completely agree!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Angeleus09

Also, what do you think of players being allowed to customize the size of their maximized chat window?

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You get another point. In my opinion chat, in addition to pre-defined options, should allow players to customize everything (or at least most of settings - Let us decide what and how we want to see in our chat window)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nateD

This point requires a really large number of comments. I just threw loosely proposal. I also appreciate your suggestion (which is pretty good). I do not think that my suggestion was perfect, but it makes it possible to facilitate the use of chat (as well as your). How it will be done? I think the more opinions the better. Developers will have some idea of ​​which direction to go.

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It was nearly perfect though lol. It's always good to get the ball rolling and establish an interactive dialogue, I agree. In retrospect, simplifying the channel indicators to individual symbols which doesn't require the / as part of the command is actually a pretty good idea, especially since it's just 1, 2, 3, 4 etc.

The other thing we'd want to consider are the commands or options for us console peasants. Tab to change tabs for PC, bumpers to change tabs for consoles. A feature that I think would work for all platforms in the Default tab in your version of the UI would be to hit Enter as we do now to get into the chat window, but hold Enter down for a moment to bring up a list of channels to quickly select using the arrow keys on the keyboard or the d-pad on the consoles.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nateD

You get another point. In my opinion chat, in addition to pre-defined options, should allow players to customize everything (or at least most of settings - Let us decide what and how we want to see in our chat window)

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Thanks man, I think a lot of us feel the same way. I think an update to the chat interface is scheduled to be included with DLC #2 so we'll see what we get. Hopefully the devs are thinking along the same lines as you.

Devs will probably not allow us to full customization of the chat window. Referring to the Trick's statement in the last livestream - there will be no option to modify the user interface (I don't know if I understood correctly, please correct me if I'm wrong). But I could use at least a set of pre-defined styles that you can choose from several settings. (maybe we can just find something that will suit us?)

I forgot to mention about item linking

Seen in the chat window, eg.

[VOT Infector]

To link item, simply open your inventory, hold shift and click on the weapon/other item from list, to link it into the active chat window (or similar way).
When we click on such a text we will see all informations about this item (stats, synergy etc.)

Of course, all the shortcuts / key combinations are examples.
I'm not sure how to solve this for consoles, but I think it can be done somehow.

I really liked NateD's mockup and suggestions for the chat UI. I also liked ViciousBlood's idea of linking coordinates from the map to chat- except maybe use a ctrl+left click or shift+left click (the same command that would be used to link items to chat).

I do like Rift's chat system a lot, but I maybe it doesn't work well in this game.

I prefer the idea of the /c for clan maybe /p for party... (however that stuff is named), or /s for squad /a for area /z for zone etc . I find @ ,$, # and other symbol harder to relate to whatever you want to talk to. I'm quite new to the game, and I love it so far, but the chat is a glaring problem.

I was just told today in the game's chat that it's going to be changed soon! I didn't get to ask where they heard it though :T

Good ideas. But i'd settle for a chatwindow that just works, always shows when someone is saying something and easy to use even when in combat. You know like 99% of the other MMOs. xD
However being able to move the window and customize it in other ways would be golden. Not holding my breath though. The devs have really dropped the ball on this game and its a damn shame.

I was just about to make a post about this when I saw this topic. I like OP's idea. After reading it again, I actually REALLY love Op's idea! :D

I would also like it to actually pop up over the person's head so we can visually see the message, of course if you don't like this players should have the choice of disabling it. I attached a pic to my post, see how it looks like the guy is saying "Fill ammo"?

I would like the chat to pop up the same way. It would work just like when we fill up ammo or go to pick up a gun, the chat box pops up when we chat so the person standing next to you can visually see that you are talking to THEM while standing next to them.

http://forums.defiance.com/attachmen...0&d=1385701312


EDIT: Do this too please! :D

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My opinion is just to merge the two types of chat that have been in game. Place emotes back on the quick menu (they can also stay on big window) and add a big chat window option to that menu. Hitting "enter" should give access to the smaller chat window. Options for chat window, like font size and color, should be in the large window, but channel switching should remain in both.

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