Sounding off on ingame sound
by Mike Schramm 
Mar 31st 2008 at 3:00PM
If you checked out the unofficial changes in patch 2.4, you'll have noticed (or just heard on the realms) that quite a few sounds got changed. Some are louder (as in that annoying PW: Shield sound), some are quieter, and some are just plain missing (it's a known bug that Tigers and Sabers don't roar anymore). But this brings up an interesting debate: many players are saying that they never would have noticed -- they rarely ever play with sound on anyway.Playing with music off is one thing (and yes, many people prefer to listen to their own music while playing), but playing with the sound completely off seems like it would be tough -- there are a lot of audio cues going on in the game, and with sound off, you might not notice that a party member accidentally pulled another mob offscreen, or that someone behind you is casting a certain spell, or any number of other things that have specific audio to them. That doesn't need to be the only thing you listen to (I usually have to turn down the game sound during raids, just so I can hear what's going on in Vent), but surely listening to game sound makes you a better player.
Do you keep the sound muted all the time, and if so, why? And do you have any trouble playing if you do? Of course, it does help you avoid that annoying PW:S sound, but as someone who keeps the game sound up (though not the music), it seems like there are specific cues meant to be heard while playing the game. Don't you miss those with the sound off?
Filed under: Patches, Analysis / Opinion, Tips, Bugs, Hardware
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Keysdawg Mar 31st 2008 3:10PM
I can't imagine playing too long without the ingame sounds. During raids, I'll turn it down to hear vent, but not questing, grinding or pvp'ing. There's too many noises (hearing that stealthed rogue/druid ) that have saved my toons life.
Ikarus Mar 31st 2008 6:06PM
I definitely keep it on for the rogue issue. Also since my main is a Arcane/fire mage I keep it on to hear when clearcast procs. But, since 2.4 I haven't been hearing it proc. hope they fix it.
I generally always have the sound on. Part of the appeal of the game is the sense of emersion. Playing without sound, for me, takes away from that effect
humperdinck Mar 31st 2008 8:03PM
The missing clearcast sound has affected shamans and druids as well. Infuriating. I read on the oboards that blues are aware of the bug.
stew Mar 31st 2008 3:12PM
I find I usually play with the sound off, but that's usually because I forget to turn on the speakers. The sound really does help the whole experience. The one time I find I do need the sound off though is when I'm in vent, its hard enough hearing some people, damn near impossible because of the sound effects.
Avarius Mar 31st 2008 3:17PM
I've played without sound for over 2 years and while sound is nice its defiantly isn't needed. This may be due to cast bar mods and that I have a habit of looking around instead of listening for unexpected things. Frankly I used to play with sound but since I play on a laptop turning off sound helps a little in keeping wow's resource usage down
Rich Mar 31st 2008 3:17PM
I normally play with the game sounds off. It doesn't affect me in the slightest. I will turn on sounds when doing a raid or the occasional pvp, but that is about the only time.
Rich Mar 31st 2008 3:19PM
I've often wondered why people would play all the time with the sound off as well. Those people may not realize what they are missing, but they can't be as good as they could be if they were hearing all those cues. Especially in any kind of pvp situation.
C.A. Mar 31st 2008 3:20PM
Many times I play with little or no sound.
My computer is set up in almost a "network" room with 2 other computers playing WoW as well, so if my dad or my brother have their sound up I will often have mine off.
Other times, I'm watching tv or something while playing (solo), usually grinding or doing something mindless and won't have the sound on.
I do think the sound helps with cues and such, and also the music and enviromental noise is really well done, so when I do have it on I usually wonder why I don't crank it up all the time.
Matthew Mar 31st 2008 3:20PM
Since 2.4, the majority of my rogue's weapon hits no longer make any sounds. I only hear like 25% of the normal combat sounds that I used to. A bit difficult to get adjusted to; hope they fix some of these problems soon.
peaglemancer Mar 31st 2008 3:22PM
Connected to a decent 5.1 system Warcraft has some quite beautiful soundscapes.
MechChef Mar 31st 2008 3:24PM
I could turn it off for raiding, but I don't. For farming, dailies, etc on a pvp server, it's invaluable.
shkss Mar 31st 2008 3:24PM
I keep mine off constantly. It's not a choice, it's just my sound has a cough and a severe stutter which makes any noise painfully repeat itself lots of times.
Alittan Mar 31st 2008 3:25PM
Meh, I keep the music on when i am in new area's (The music in Magisters' Terrace is simply amazing), but overall my music is on low, ambience on high (love the sound of the rain ingame) and normal sound on.. normal :P.
doyesac Mar 31st 2008 3:30PM
I can play without sound (I use headphones so I don't disturb the roommate, but I don't like wearing em, so...) but I NEED to keep an ear open for that stealth sound! I was grinding the other day when I heard the tell-tale sound of a stealthed rogue, so I did my usual and hit Intimidating Shout, only to see a rogue and two druids running in fear!
Malyfactian Mar 31st 2008 3:32PM
Sound on, music on, all the time. A game has to be immersive to hold my interest, and for the most part WoW has some great audio effects.
Scoottie Mar 31st 2008 3:33PM
Many of the sounds that are made by player characters like those of spells when cast or like the grunting when they get hit gets annoying fast, especially in 25 man raid environments.
Jane Gray Mar 31st 2008 6:47PM
The grunting is the reason I almost never play with sound. If I think of it I'll turn it on when I play WSG, because if I'm on D its invaluable to knowing if someone is fighting above the flag room. But mostly the weapony sounds combined with grunting just grates. I will OCCASIONALLY turn on the music, but lately a terry pratchett audiobook while questing suits me fine.
JT Mar 31st 2008 3:33PM
I have to play with sound, but I'll tell you what… i find the sound of my bear roaring whenever I tell him to attack is SO LOUD compared to other sounds.
Not that I wish I had a wimpy bear, but Ahh i wish there was a way to control it. Drives me nuts.
Dan Mar 31st 2008 3:43PM
my soundcard bust the other week and having no sound was a pain in the arse. I compensated by using my 360 to play music to keep my ears occupied but ever since i got a new card, wow has been getting full sound rights- I really missed it.
Oldbear Mar 31st 2008 3:52PM
I just hit Hellfire a few days after 2.4 and some dread lord is always yelling that us mortals will die or the universe will be reshaped or some other evil doctor jazz. I had not been to Hellfire since TBC's release (old character - old server) - Did Blizzard change the yelling in the last patch?