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by Elizabeth Harper 
Sep 17th 2009 at 7:00AM
So what do you need to do to start chatting? Just fire up your web browser, point it to Puggable.com and create a chat room for your group. To invite others, all you need to do is share a link. The site will display character stats for your player from the armory (as seen in the above screenshot) for easy viewing by your entire group. And if you wish to select the instance you're running and the boss you're going to fight, Puggable will automagically pull up links for strategies, videos, and loot. No one needs to download or configure software (unless you're playing WoW with people who don't have web browsers... but that would just be silly) and there are no passwords to remember, share, or change. I'm hesitant to say it's fool-proof, but it certainly looks like group communication and organization simplified.
Puggable is presently in closed beta (though if you're interested in testing it, you can sign up on their site) with plans for a more open beta in the next few weeks.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Events
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
GuyverIV Sep 17th 2009 6:56PM
It implys a lack of, well, ownership, or investment, for lack of a better word. Calling something your "toon" implies it's just a superficial disposable thing, when calling it your "character" implies a bit more of an sense of self or kinship with it, that it matters to you.
At least, that's how I kind of see it.
Kynsia Sep 17th 2009 9:46AM
hmm....not a bad idea, but with my server at least a wow heroes score listed would be a nice feature, seems like everyone wants to know if your score is over 2k
Skonged Sep 17th 2009 2:24PM
Don't we already have ventrilo?
Martin Sep 17th 2009 10:10AM
Yeah I'm going to go to a website some random PUG told or "ordered" me to go and not believe it's a keylogger/phising site. Are vent servers that hard to get now-a-days?
Vetali Sep 17th 2009 10:22AM
Thanks for the interest, all.
@ Kynsia, @Effimero: Puggable will be free forever. At some point, we might add advertising and we'll probably offer the option to buy extra services (a phone number for your pug channel? Voice fonts to change your voice?). But we're not going to charge a fee to use the service.
@Bubsa: The biggest single channel that Vivox has done was 7,000 people. I don't think you'll need a channel that big, but puggable will definitely be able to support raids and the like.
Please let me know what other features you'd like to see... Gear scores is a natural. Guild support is something we're thinking about. Other ideas?
And sign up for the open beta if you want to give it a try.
Matthew Bellows
Vetali on Moonrunner
Vivox/Puggable
Sir7 Sep 17th 2009 10:39AM
Since I mostly just PuG and solo, this looks radical. Thank you!
Rifter Sep 17th 2009 11:33AM
Guild information is very important. I really like the wow-heroes score idea.
I am not sure how well it could be implemented, but the ability to show what upgrades your character could get out of a dungeon/raid, based on your current gear listed in the armory would be pretty cool.
Hmm, phone number... that makes me think maybe something like Skype integration. Though, I hear they have dropped their API support. It would be cool to be able to add skype users in, as well, via the phone. I know I can use skype and google voice on my phone and use the data connection, instead of the phone connection, and not use minutes)
Hëx Sep 17th 2009 11:09AM
We tried doing both Vent and WoW Client Voice and it not only sounds inferior but it also generates confusion as the vent only folks can't hear the client users and the reverse. Now we usually use only Vent, if a PUG'd player doesn't have it they need to know the fights with minimal text chat.
Oneiroi Sep 17th 2009 11:24AM
Can I say I hate vent? I'm not used to it, so whenever someone asks for it, I have to go back, download it, figure out server crap, set up settings, get a password, after all that I rarely talk on there since I don't usually like talking on computer mics.
Usually I'll just use in-game if necessary, Having an online version where I don't have to download anything, figure out server stuff, seems like it would be promising, and not worry if others have a program or not...seems promising.
Wildcat0695 Sep 17th 2009 11:40AM
I signed up for the beta. I'll check it out. It could be a good alternative for my small guild instead of paying for or hosting a vent server.
Eindrachen Sep 17th 2009 8:53PM
I am very interested in this service; a web-based app should have no compatibility issues with any operating system, allowing everyone who needed stable voice communication an easy, quick method of getting it.
@Vetali: Ads are fine, but be very, very careful. Some other website apps have ads that chew up so much bandwidth that the on-site apps are basically worthless because they run too slow. I'm fine with seeing an advertisement as long as it doesn't cause everything else on the site to run slower.