Tseric may not be the most popular person right now but...
by Krystalle Voecks 
May 11th 2007 at 9:30AM
![[This is Pixel the cat, Pixel likes balls of yarn, bowls of milk, and pwning in PVP]](http://www.blogcdn.com/wow.joystiq.com/media/2007/05/pixel2.jpg){kind=tracking}
If what Tseric is saying on the shaman forums is any indication, we're in for some wide-reaching changes in the months ahead. While I'm pretty sure his reply is not what the shaman want to hear right now, he is at least throwing out some interesting information to keep an eye out for on the horizon. Sayeth Tseric:
Because the UI work load is longer than anyone wants to think about. We're dealing with mass-appeal items first, like in-game VOIP, Guild banks, Additional base UI, etc.
Now, as I've mentioned elsewhere, the other game that I occasionally cheat on WoW with is EVE Online. (Please, don't throw stuff at me for my blasphemy. It's only once in a while, I promise!) I mention this because EVE just implemented an in-game VOIP a couple of months ago. Let me tell you, having an in-game VOIP capability is seriously sweet. There's no more having to download TeamSpeak because you're grouped up with this guild, or Ventrilo if you're hooked up with that guild, or Skype to talk to someone else you're questing with. (Or maybe like me, you have all three!) For the Mac side of the house, an in-game VOIP could solve all manner of problems -- like the ones I've seen my Hunter officer have with his Mac and a certain professional Vent hosting company's codecs. Bam! Instant compatibility built right into your game. No fuss.
Of course, if that particular little nugget of wootness wasn't already enough to get people excited... Guild banks! How long have people wanted that functionality in the program? Yeah. I don't know about the rest of you guys, but that's a whole bunch of spots that a guild bank could clear in my bank bags. Finally a place to store all those hard to get crafting materials that many guilds accumulate over time. And to do that without people having to give up character slots to create bank alts. Obviously, at this stage of the game, nobody other than Blizzard has the vaguest idea how they'll choose to implement guild banks, but just knowing that they're out there on the horizon is at least with the happy-dance making.
Now if the Devs can just get the different class troubles worked out...
[Thanks Mordiceius!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
FadedReality May 11th 2007 9:38AM
I hope they gank the idea of the GuildBanker and accompanying GuildBankAccount addons, but refined. I like that it assigns a gold value to all donated items and you can spend your credit on other people's donated items... but apparently from the guild bank's end this is all a manual process. More automation would be great.
Corley May 11th 2007 9:58AM
With every instance at least requiring people to listen, something like this should be in the game. This was one of the coolest things about xbox live, and that was released years ago.
What Blizzard should have done on the UI front was host their own curse-gaming style site. Players could have uploaded their UI's under their account names (their preferred character name would appear on the webpage) and if it became a super popular UI mod that enhanced the game, blizz could take it, rework it a bit, reward that person with a couple months free play time and put it in the game. Everyone wins! The mod developers cause they get 'something' for their effort, blizz cause they get great, well tested ideas and code and the commnuity with a better UI.
The UI was the big reason I stuck with this game and never could go play another MMO. Being a coder, if I didn't like something I could tweak it, or find someone else who did. It was sometimes more fun than actually playing. But anyway, the workload doesn't 'need' to be that big when you have thousands doing free outsourced work.
John Vilsack May 11th 2007 10:16AM
@2: The problem with Blizzard having a curse-gaming.com site is that they "could" be held liable if someone were to upload malicious code or something that interfered with the game experience as originally intended. By allowing others to play with their game through LUA, they are opening the doors as it is.
I agree though, it would be nice for them to reward some of the more innovative ideas by thanking them publicly or by awarding free time. Having thousands of people out there giving you fresh ideas shouldn't result in you stealing their IP and saying you came up with it on your own.
Brad May 11th 2007 10:07AM
I just joined a new guild and they told me that Vent was required. I told them I would download it but that I was deaf and because of that, it would not have the same effect. That threw them just a bit.
I have always loved the typing aspect of the game. While I can understand the appeal to being able to talk to other gamers while they play (probably more so than you can), these features are lost on those of who play without that advantage. (I completely understand that I am in an extreme minority, and I am happy for the rest of you.)
Keep in mind when playing and requiring things like this, that you may lose a good player if you arent aware that it isnt a fit all solution.
Ahoni May 11th 2007 10:24AM
No way Blizzard would ever host a curse gaming like site of mods. Can you think of the liability issues if someone managed to sneak some crap in there that crashed the game? Heavens forbid someone managed to get a virus on there. Just ain't gonna happen, Blizzard don't want that headache.
native May 11th 2007 10:11AM
in game VOIP would be the bee's knees. just the other night we had an issue on a SM run due to some in the group not having Vent.
i would certainly welcome an in-game VOIP addition.
John May 11th 2007 10:14AM
Wow, reading Tseric's posts is quite entertaining!
johnnyamerika May 11th 2007 10:21AM
It's funny, I was just talking to my friend last night about how wow is pretty crappy in the fact that after 2.5 years they haven't done anything in the way of improving the original UI. I have 20 mods now - TWENTY. Why is that necessary? Because the original sucks so hard, and has almost zero functionality or custamizability.
So, it's cool to see them working, just a bit, on this stuff. VOIP? I'm a skeptic. This means people will type less, essentially forcing you to join VOIP with them in parties. This is going to make pugs more hellish, if you ask me.
Ever get in a fight with someone in a pug? Now you're going to be able to enjoy hearing 13 year olds curse at you for something they did wrong in instances. Because they're not going to type anymore.
jcgooch May 11th 2007 10:25AM
My question is...what is that device just to the right of the monitor in the picture with the kitty? Heh heh heh.
Krystalle Voecks May 11th 2007 10:33AM
@ Brad - Yeah, I agree with you. One of my nearest and dearest is also deaf, and we've had that conversation as well. (we generally use TS) It is very important for a guild to know so that they can keep everyone involved. There again, he's so much fun to be around that we would be -seriously- missing out on some truly awesome humor (and skill) if he wasn't included.
Savok May 11th 2007 10:39AM
How many lies has Blizzard told us so far?
I wouldn't hold your breath.
Smutcakes May 11th 2007 10:44AM
hero classes, player housing, shard bag boni, ...
someone May 11th 2007 10:47AM
Yea cause we do not have enough lag as it is.
"We're dealing with mass-appeal items first"
They had 2 years, 2 years for any kind of shaman ui, and nothing. 2 years and I dont see a guild bank, 2 years and I don't see Voip. Where as joe nobody takes 3 hours and produces a functional totem ui in his basement.
Strongmark on Arthas May 11th 2007 10:51AM
lol,
BONG!
draiken May 11th 2007 11:02AM
LET ME SEE THAT BONG
Simon May 11th 2007 11:02AM
@johnnyamerika
"Because the original sucks so hard, and has almost zero functionality or custamizability."
Oh realy? The original UI supports addons to improve it, that's something the be very thankful of. The basic UI is good enough to play the game, but you can actually customize ist *all* the way to fit your desire. That's something even 2.5 years later not many games can claim.
Anyway, I realy hope this turns out true. What Tseric speaks about are things that can not be added by addons, those features need be implemented into the core.
For everything else addons are the way to go, as everyone can do as they please. The default UI can never match everyones wishes. So shut up complaining and be thankful they are realy working on improving the game since 2.5 years.
Baluki May 11th 2007 11:03AM
Yea, anything with the word "shaman" attached to it seems to automatically receive a priority level of "we'll get to it eventually, maybe".
Guild Banks are a lot closer than we all realize, I think. Remember that they were originally slated to be included with BC, but were pushed back.
I know it's real important that players be able to bitch at each other verbally and collect materials together in a new way, but I sure would like to be able to see if the tank is receiving Windfury or not.
Oomfoofoo May 11th 2007 5:23PM
IMO, Vent & TS have always been a both a positive and a negative (mostly negative). Yes they speed up runs (when the RL does not spend 10 mins explaining every pull). But as a direct result of Vent's use in my last 2 guilds, I fealt disconnected to the guilds since the majority of the members whooped it up on vent 24/7 and I did not. I prefer to listen to music than talk about loot all night.
The guilds generated its clicks and those of us who prefer to listen to music while playing & not use vent, end up on the outside looking in most of the time. Groups would always magicaly form without 1 word ever typed in /gu chat.
Typing ftw.
mirilene May 11th 2007 1:50PM
@johnnyamerika
You're kidding right? They've added in so much extra stuff that was formerly mod only UI:
Raid icons, raid windows, MT/MA windows, ready checks, floating combat text, target of target windows....Im sure theres more im forgetting.
Argent May 11th 2007 11:24AM
checking my add-on folder.
127 folders in there atm.
and you think 20 is a lot? chuckle.
and even so, i still use quite a bit of the original UIs functionality (the button bars, for one.)
i think tweaking the original UI is a bit overdue at this juncture and i'm glad blizz is getting around to it now. so far, some of these future changes (the AH stuff, voip, guildbanks) really sound exciting.