DICE: Metroid Prime Hunters to feature voice chat

by James Ransom-Wiley { Feb 9th 2006 at 3:45PM }

Speaking at the DICE Summit today, Nintendo's Reggie Fils-Aime revealed that the long-awaited DS shooter, Metroid Prime Hunters, would feature VoIP support. Nintendo WiFi Connection users will be able to ~~chat~~ taunt their opponents in pre- and post-game lobbies using the built-in microphone. Unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on your preference—voice chat will not function during actual gameplay.

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jesse @ Feb 9th 2006 3:49PM

yeah id rather not have voice chat during gameplay,, little noobs would piss me off just like in Halo 2

Bishna @ Feb 9th 2006 3:51PM

Sweet

benjamin @ Feb 9th 2006 3:52PM

DS just gets better.

SetupWeasel @ Feb 9th 2006 3:54PM

I would hope they would be squeezing the processor for in-game graphics and the WiFi pipeline for game information.

The DS can't do everything.

Dave @ Feb 9th 2006 3:57PM

i still hope that's the reason it's not available and not because of hardware restrictions, i still look forward to having some kind of in game chat in future titles.

VIVA LA REVOLUTION!

Michael @ Feb 9th 2006 4:01PM

is the chat only for people on your friends list? I would imagine that that's the case.

Anonymous Coward @ Feb 9th 2006 4:01PM

#3: That's obviously the reason it's not in game, because the DS' processor probably can't handle in-game VOIP.

Some VOIP is better than none; let's hope it's a precedent not just for the DS but for Nintendo's online gaming services as a whole.

Kevin @ Feb 9th 2006 4:02PM

I commented on another post about mph and I mentioned that it needs to have voice chat at least in the lobby, now that I see this I will definitely get this game when it comes out. My gamertag is XanMaster, if anybody who sees this gets this game, find me and we can deathmatch.

pete @ Feb 9th 2006 4:02PM

i just can't get over the fact that his last name means "boy-love"

DCSimian @ Feb 9th 2006 4:08PM

I prefer no voice chat ingame. Thumbs up in that regard. Also, they're planning on setting up those download kiosks at major retailers for movie trailers, demo downloads, etc.

On a not-so-related note, check this out:

http://mrl.nyu.edu/~jhan/ftirtouch/index.html

Found it on the IGN boards...pretty rad if you ask me. Ok...back on topic...VOIP 4TW!!

Eric Bostrom @ Feb 9th 2006 4:09PM

I can't tell you how many times i'd lead a map, and get shell'd inches from the line in mario kart/ds. It was all in good fun, skillfully played by whomever i was racing. To be able to gg or nt/ns them would be excellent. As long as you can mute the other person (like in cs/micspamming) this will be great!

Reytacular @ Feb 9th 2006 4:16PM

Perfect but what about WFC ID sharing? VoIP would make it easier to share your numbers but...

vazel @ Feb 9th 2006 4:19PM

THANK THE GODS THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK IN GAMEPLAY. I CAN JUST IMAGINE ALLT HE KIDDIES!

NergiZed @ Feb 9th 2006 4:37PM

Wow, I never thought it was that simple, no voice chat during gameplay totally sovles the n00bs yelling problem.

Sweet. Man, good job Ninty, Other games should follow their lead, until someone has in-game voice filters. :D That'd be better, but it's a portable so I'm already thrilled, that not only do they have voice they also solved they yelling n00bs problem.

Nice, does PSP have a mic, not sure, I think that talkman game has a mic.

James @ Feb 9th 2006 4:59PM

"Nice, does PSP have a mic, not sure, I think that talkman game has a mic."

NergiZed, yes, PSP does have a mic (not built-in), which is compatible with the online multiplayer in SOCOM.

http://www.joystiq.com/2005/10/30/is-this-the-psp-headset-over-could-be-over/

Ocho @ Feb 9th 2006 5:07PM

We might not see it with the DS, but I'd like to see some in-game voice chat eventually. In Halo 2, I'd usually turn it off so I didn't have to hear all the random homophobic, racist 12-year-olds out there, but it was fun (and strategically useful) when I played with friends.

Evan @ Feb 9th 2006 5:19PM

Do you think the game will ship with a headset?

Seroth @ Feb 9th 2006 5:21PM

I'd prefer voice chat in-game, 'cause it can add to the experience from time to time. It doesn't always mean annoyance, though it usually does. :P

But, yeah, cool.

sanjuro @ Feb 9th 2006 5:33PM

Nice addition. And I thought it had just been said Nintendo denied they would use VOIP with the DS...

Babu @ Feb 9th 2006 5:49PM

I seriously. not joking. just ejaculated inside my briefs. no joke.

Lane @ Feb 9th 2006 5:52PM

I actually liked Mario Kart better because it didn't have voice chat. On Halo 2 you have all these stupid little kids calling you gay and swearing at you. At least it won't be in game.

semolina @ Feb 9th 2006 6:13PM

9. i just can't get over the fact that his last name means "boy-love"

Actually, the correct (according to Reggie himself) pronunciation suggests that his last name is really "Fils-Aim? which translates more directly to "loved son".

But we all just can't get over Reggie, period.

Myke Greywolf @ Feb 9th 2006 6:15PM

#9: Actually, "Fils-aim?(which is the correct spelling) translates as "beloved son".

bd @ Feb 9th 2006 6:45PM

The problem is not about voicechat, the problem is about how many people will be able to compete online at the same match.

Something tells me that it is going to suck because not enough players will be able to battle at the same time, and that the Matchmaking system will suck, if there is any.

elmer @ Feb 9th 2006 7:17PM

Voice chat must depend on the complexity of the game being played. For instance, the VoIP tech demos Nintendo showed for the DS at E3 2005 apparently had a 3D animated Mario and wario whos mouths would "flap" as you spoke. So maybe you couldn't do it on metroid, but I have very VERY HIGH hopes for the next DS bomberman game. Do you think it will be suseptible to the infantiles?? perhaps it would, but time will tell.

Tech wise I think there will be a natural balance: Complex games will tend to be complex for the DS to handle, but also difficult for players to trash talk and play at the same time. Slower paced games will be more managable for both DS and player. Note: racing games may be the exception.