Is it assumed that games run in the community will use video and voice? Is it uncommon for people to just use voice?

Is it assumed that games run in the community will use video and voice? Is it uncommon for people to just use voice?

Is it assumed that games run in the community will use video and voice? Is it uncommon for people to just use voice?

32 thoughts on “Is it assumed that games run in the community will use video and voice? Is it uncommon for people to just use voice?”

  13. Gauntlet Hangout games are run using video and voice, but it’s usually not a problem to have a player use video-only. People understand that it happens because of connection, set up, and/or personal preferences.

    It’s good etiquette to tell your GM ahead of time that you’ll be using voice only.

  14. Gauntlet Hangout games are run using video and voice, but it’s usually not a problem to have a player use video-only. People understand that it happens because of connection, set up, and/or personal preferences.

    It’s good etiquette to tell your GM ahead of time that you’ll be using voice only.

  21. The role of video in online games is a good topic, I think.

    First of all, as has been mentioned, technology has to cooperate! My thoughts here are when you have a choice.

    I’ve never required video in any game I’ve run, but I have lamented a bit when I’m the only one with my camera on. It’s the rare player, myself certainly included with the best of intentions, that hasn’t at some point been tempted by distractions outside the game. To be clear, a player focusing on something outside of the game when the spotlight is on someone else isn’t the end of the world – but it’s a good topic.

    When you’re physically sitting at someone’s table, that physical structure is obviously a great help with player focus – a structural benefit that’s lost when playing online. Clearly, a camera doesn’t prevent if someone is tempted to surf off-topic a little – but I think it helps a meaningful amount to connect the players to others and keep them engaged in the game and what’s going on, irrespective of spotlight.

    Again, technology has to cooperate and I’m not suggesting this is a huge deal – but if a GM actively encourages camera use, consider that it’s coming from a very good place. 🙂

  22. The role of video in online games is a good topic, I think.

    First of all, as has been mentioned, technology has to cooperate! My thoughts here are when you have a choice.

    I’ve never required video in any game I’ve run, but I have lamented a bit when I’m the only one with my camera on. It’s the rare player, myself certainly included with the best of intentions, that hasn’t at some point been tempted by distractions outside the game. To be clear, a player focusing on something outside of the game when the spotlight is on someone else isn’t the end of the world – but it’s a good topic.

    When you’re physically sitting at someone’s table, that physical structure is obviously a great help with player focus – a structural benefit that’s lost when playing online. Clearly, a camera doesn’t prevent if someone is tempted to surf off-topic a little – but I think it helps a meaningful amount to connect the players to others and keep them engaged in the game and what’s going on, irrespective of spotlight.

    Again, technology has to cooperate and I’m not suggesting this is a huge deal – but if a GM actively encourages camera use, consider that it’s coming from a very good place. 🙂

  23. Not Gauntlet specific, but: I’ve been running things online for a while now (a couple years) and will say that {one/some/all} players not having video has never been a killer to a session. Games work fine with just audio, people talk over one another until they all get a rhythm but that’s just how it kinda goes. I will say that IF you can manage video as a player you’ll be doing the GM a huge favor by doing so. Judging someone’s response to things during a game becomes much easier when you have even that tiny little postage stamp of body language to work with. (You’ll also probably help cut down on the “talking over one another” issue as well.)

  24. Not Gauntlet specific, but: I’ve been running things online for a while now (a couple years) and will say that {one/some/all} players not having video has never been a killer to a session. Games work fine with just audio, people talk over one another until they all get a rhythm but that’s just how it kinda goes. I will say that IF you can manage video as a player you’ll be doing the GM a huge favor by doing so. Judging someone’s response to things during a game becomes much easier when you have even that tiny little postage stamp of body language to work with. (You’ll also probably help cut down on the “talking over one another” issue as well.)

  29. I would basically echo most of the previous thoughts with a couple of slightly different adjustments.

    1) Audio is necessary, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s got to be decent. (so calling in from your local coffee shop with all that background noise… is probably not going to cut it.

    2) Video is nice to have, but not required. I really appreciate seeing people on video. Whether I am a player or GM. For me, it adds a lot. It lets me know that everyone is back at the table after a break. It lets me see if my actions have the emotional impact I was trying for. It lets me more easily understand the other person. I find I communicate better when I can see the other person… and they can see me. So much of what I do consciously (and unconsciously) is body language. Maybe you can’t see all of it, but our faces are really expressive and do a lot to communicate.

    3) you can communicate without audio. Whether it’s a thumbs up, wave, thumbs down. grumpy face, clapping (which I hope you do with the mic muted), jumping for joy, surprise, shock, awe, wonder. leaning in, leaning away, rolling eyes, disgust. throwing up an X, crossing your arms, staring down, holding up a finger (like you need a moment), palm up come hither motion, wagging a finger, shaking head, nodding, shrugging. There is a TON of information you can convey, very quickly and with very little effort (some is probably very well rehearsed from day to day interactions).

    I will never turn someone away if all they have, or all they want, is audio. I know I am privileged to be able to have video and audio. I know that it can be a big ask for some folks. So I want to make sure it’s absolutely clear that if the barrier is video, but audio is good, come on over. I would love to game with you.

    I’ve played in plenty of audio-only games. My regular (non-gauntlet) Sunday morning game is audio only. It works just fine. Do I wish that sometimes it had video… yeah sometimes (mostly during big emotional scenes cause I like to see reactions). But the vast majority of the time it doesn’t really cross my mind. We just play… and that’s what matters.

  30. I would basically echo most of the previous thoughts with a couple of slightly different adjustments.

    1) Audio is necessary, it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it’s got to be decent. (so calling in from your local coffee shop with all that background noise… is probably not going to cut it.

    2) Video is nice to have, but not required. I really appreciate seeing people on video. Whether I am a player or GM. For me, it adds a lot. It lets me know that everyone is back at the table after a break. It lets me see if my actions have the emotional impact I was trying for. It lets me more easily understand the other person. I find I communicate better when I can see the other person… and they can see me. So much of what I do consciously (and unconsciously) is body language. Maybe you can’t see all of it, but our faces are really expressive and do a lot to communicate.

    3) you can communicate without audio. Whether it’s a thumbs up, wave, thumbs down. grumpy face, clapping (which I hope you do with the mic muted), jumping for joy, surprise, shock, awe, wonder. leaning in, leaning away, rolling eyes, disgust. throwing up an X, crossing your arms, staring down, holding up a finger (like you need a moment), palm up come hither motion, wagging a finger, shaking head, nodding, shrugging. There is a TON of information you can convey, very quickly and with very little effort (some is probably very well rehearsed from day to day interactions).

    I will never turn someone away if all they have, or all they want, is audio. I know I am privileged to be able to have video and audio. I know that it can be a big ask for some folks. So I want to make sure it’s absolutely clear that if the barrier is video, but audio is good, come on over. I would love to game with you.

    I’ve played in plenty of audio-only games. My regular (non-gauntlet) Sunday morning game is audio only. It works just fine. Do I wish that sometimes it had video… yeah sometimes (mostly during big emotional scenes cause I like to see reactions). But the vast majority of the time it doesn’t really cross my mind. We just play… and that’s what matters.

  31. Andrew Tapp I turn my camera so it can see me, and a wall. Heck, I’d greenscreen an appropriate background in if I had the space to set it up.

    Same as above, though. Voice only is fine, but video does give everyone a bit extra.

  32. Andrew Tapp I turn my camera so it can see me, and a wall. Heck, I’d greenscreen an appropriate background in if I had the space to set it up.

    Same as above, though. Voice only is fine, but video does give everyone a bit extra.

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