Online Gaming (VoIP Recommendations)

[Gaiwecoor]

I'm about to start up a campaign with my regular D&D group, but circumstances require the game to be played online, rather than at the table. I've figured out what I want to use to handle all the mechanics (map, dice and the like), but what should I use for voice? Current choices include:

Mumble (http://mumble.sourceforge.net/)
TeamSpeak (http://www.goteamspeak.com/)
Ventrilo (http://www.ventrilo.com/)
Skype (http://www.skype.com/)

I haven't actually been able to test any of these, yet, so I have no idea what their sound quality is like. Has anybody around here tried these programs for your online gaming? If you've tried more than one of them, which is superior? I would like good sound quality, while taking minimal resources (since my computer will be running as a server both for the map engine and the voice software).

Thanks in advance!

[Kizara]

I'm about to start up a campaign with my regular D&D group, but circumstances require the game to be played online, rather than at the table. I've figured out what I want to use to handle all the mechanics (map, dice and the like), but what should I use for voice? Current choices include:

Mumble (http://mumble.sourceforge.net/)
TeamSpeak (http://www.goteamspeak.com/)
Ventrilo (http://www.ventrilo.com/)
Skype (http://www.skype.com/)

I haven't actually been able to test any of these, yet, so I have no idea what their sound quality is like. Has anybody around here tried these programs for your online gaming? If you've tried more than one of them, which is superior? I would like good sound quality, while taking minimal resources (since my computer will be running as a server both for the map engine and the voice software).

Thanks in advance!

Ok, here's my piece. I've run an online DnD campaign AND I do alot of competitive gaming.

1) Mumble. No idea, never heard of it. Sounds like crap though.

2) Teamspeak. Crappy version of ventrilo, dont bother.

3) Ventrilo. Vent is great, but unless you want to have a paid server, it has issues with sound quality, and oftentimes people can't hear or can't talk or have lag in hearing what other's say. Also, sometimes headaches in setting up and getting stuff to work. Doesn't take alot of system reasources though. If you want to do some competitive gaming: Use this, and get your own deadicated server for $4/month (US).

4) Skype. DEFINATELY the choice for a DnD campaign. Easy to use (as simple as MSN), great sound quality and generally fewer issues with giving people trouble. Takes up more system reasources then Vent when running though, and I find gives you tons of problems if you run a high-resources game (like Wc3, BFME2, etc) at the same time. Unusable for competitive gaming, but perfect for RPing.

Hope my advice has helped you. I have used Vent (for DotA, mainly) and Skype (for a online DnD campaign that lasted about 2 months) quite a bit.

[TheLogman]

Steam (http://steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=getsteamnow&cc=US) is a reliable online gaming app that could help. It's voice transference is as clear as a Phone (To the point my mother though my friend was in the room with us), and as long as you have a microphone, there is nothing more you need than just getting the program on your computer, registering an account, and putting in all your friends. Once you are all on, just invite your friends to a voice chat. It has the additional perk of also having a Instant messenger as well. It's also very low resource greedy, to the point of running in the background with my other stuff and not causing any more lag.

Skype is the best out of the listed though.

[Kizara]

Steam (http://steampowered.com/v/index.php?area=getsteamnow&cc=US) is a reliable online gaming app that could help. It's voice transference is as clear as a Phone (To the point my mother though my friend was in the room with us), and as long as you have a microphone, there is nothing more you need than just getting the program on your computer, registering an account, and putting in all your friends. Once you are all on, just invite your friends to a voice chat. It has the additional perk of also having a Instant messenger as well. It's also very low resource greedy, to the point of running in the background with my other stuff and not causing any more lag.

Skype is the best out of the listed though.

I've heard some good things about Steam, but have never used it myself. Definately wroth the OP looking into though.

[Leadfeathermcc]

Are all of your players using a PC?

Vent I know works on a mac also, not sure about any of the others.

[shadow_archmagi]

Why not just.. you know, type?

Its much easier to roleplay that way, because you can put dialogue in "quotes" (or out of character in parenthesis)

[Yeygresh]

As someone who has used all of those VoIP's(Save for mumble), I agree with Kizara on all points 100%.

This (http://rptools.net/doku.php) may also add to your game.

It is a fantastic tool for both the DM and the players, acting as an editable tabletop.

[Gaiwecoor]

Awesome - thanks for the responses.


Why not just.. you know, type?
...
I tried that about two years ago.. while the theory is solid, in practice it has a hard time working. Many people type much more slowly than others, making it hard for them to get something out when other people are also talking. It also drastically increases the stimulus-response lag time, making it difficult for several people to have a seamless discussion (our group emphasizes the role-playing aspect of the game). Once people have to wait a while for a response to their comment, attention drops quickly.

I'll take a look at Steam when I get a chance, but until then it looks like Skype. It seems to be the one with ease of use (at least one of my players is somewhat.. lacking.. in the computer skills) and cross-platform ability. Although the players will all be running Windows, I'm on Linux.



...
This (http://rptools.net/doku.php) may also add to your game.
...


Ack! How did you know what I'd decided to use?? Agreed, though. It's an awesome tool - if anybody else is running an online game, it's worth a look.

[ocato]

4) Skype. DEFINATELY the choice for a DnD campaign. Easy to use (as simple as MSN), great sound quality and generally fewer issues with giving people trouble. Takes up more system reasources then Vent when running though, and I find gives you tons of problems if you run a high-resources game (like Wc3, BFME2, etc) at the same time. Unusable for competitive gaming, but perfect for RPing.

I personally find skype to be very usable with gaming, though that was my personal experience. I used it while playing world of warcraft and a handful of other games online without problem. I suggest trying skype, it is my favorite by far.

[Kizara]

I personally find skype to be very usable with gaming, though that was my personal experience. I used it while playing world of warcraft and a handful of other games online without problem. I suggest trying skype, it is my favorite by far.

I find this surprizing, as when I tried to use it for DotA with my Bnet friends, we got massive feedback and sound quality issues, as well as alot of in-game lagging (spiking in particular) that made it completely unusable.

Being as WoW is a very high-resources game, I am surprized it is different.

Not trying to say you are full of crap or something, just that it's odd that we would have such different experiences with it.