Unreal Tournament 2004 X-Play Review

[hal]

Tech TV's X-Play reviewed Unreal Tournament 2004 giving it a 5/5.

Now that "Unreal Tournament 2004" has arrived, "X-Play" would like to go on record as saying that this is the last competitive multiplayer shooter you'll need -- ever.

The writer also comments on the VOIP feature:

This welcome addition improves communication. But it also highlights the worst part of UT. Most players are idiots, jerks, or both. The anonymity of the Internet brings out the worst in some people. So if you choose to leave voice chat on, be prepared to endure sophomoric ramblings from players in love with the sound of their own voice. But that's a minor nit directed at the childish "Unreal" community, not at the game.

Too bad we all get painted with that brush.

[Rooster]

What's wierd is, the times I've played, I haven't heard anyone being an asshat on voice.

Originally Posted by hal

Too bad we all get painted with that brush.

The sad thing is, it's more often true than not.

The other day I had to listen to a highly annoying round of WAZZZZUUUUP!!!! by a handful of players until I finally just turned off voice chat in disgust. A player once spent the whole DM talking about how high he was and giggling into the mic. A player once chewed out a guy at length in Team DM for friendly fire, before realizing he was on the wrong team and it wasn't a teammate.

Players take it upon themselves to bark orders at the team, as if anyone cared or as if they even knew what they were doing to begin with. If they'd shut up and do their thing, maybe they'd score a point or two instead of being at the bottom of the list. To say the large part of the community that talk both have no manners and no sportsmanship is an understatement.

I wanted to see voice chat built into UT, but now that it's here I question that choice. I've yet to see it put to any good use, I've only had one or two good laughs from it, and mainly I've just have been annoyed by it every day. The chatters can go to IRC, the talkers can get a freaking cellphone and call their friends so I don't have to hear it.

In short, anyone who'd actually use a mic is probably the sort you wouldn't want to.

[Manticore]

I agree with the comment on not needing any other shooter.... ever.

As for the comment on the online behaviour of the Unreal community the writer has illustrated their abject ignorance by doing what ignorant people do which is generalise or "paint all with the same brush" (paraphrased).

Having spent some time in forums and a lot of time online (in my various "disguise" handles) I can say that you will get some behaviour which is silly (that is acceptable as far as people having fun goes) and rarely is there any need to take offence.

Forums illustrate that there are a lot of articulate, serious people out there that are gamers who are capable of serious and intelligent comment (but who also like to have fun) which totally belies the comments of the quoted writer.

The writer seems to have completly overlooked the fact that online anonymity also provides the anonymity of age as well. Possibly some of the gamers he came up against have not got the life experience to act differently. (Or perhaps he got fragged by a ten-year-old who is better than her/she is by a quantum factor).

As for me there is a phrase that paints this writer with a certain brush: "TARGET PRACTICE".

I'll be seeing you on the net; any time, any server.....

[hal]

I've heard plenty of foolishness, but I've also been part of games where people were using the VOIP very very well. I just hate that we all get that same moniker in his eyes. It's great to be known as the "childish" community.

[Manticore]

Originally Posted by hal

It's great to be known as the "childish" community.

... and there's a vast difference between the implication of being "childish" and as opposed to being "child-like"...

[hal]

Yeah, I don't think he means we're innocent and carefree.

the statement has some truth to it, but its with all online FPS games really. the fact that these games are virtual representations of u running around killing ppl brings out the worst in some. the amount of immaturity is very large. however i also make the distinction of someone whos trying to have fun and being semi-annoying (hey thats life, gotta deal with it) and those who purposefully "play" the game in such a way that theyre only in it to be a nuisance to others. one of the reasons i really like xfire is that u start playing with the same ppl over and over, and sorta get to know them. its def a lot more fun that way

[Manticore]

Originally Posted by (xfire basadd)

the statement has some truth to it, but its with all online FPS games really

Agreed..... Now that's what I call a generalisation!

To Hal: I feel very carefree lugging around a flak cannon or chaingun (very loud laughter).....

But perhaps not too innocent....

[pine]

Pffft. The Unreal community is childish compared to what? Counterstrike? Xbox live? Give me a frickin break. This is what happens when people get on the internet and realize they're anonymous.

[Kyllian]

Most of the asshats I've met just use text
I've seen more mature players than immature ones
Hell, I've even played with some people who just laughed at how badly they got their butts handed to them

[MrMaddog]

Apparently the reviewer has neither turned off the "public" voice channel nor even played much CS.

Lately when I go on the ONS servers, the people who do use VOIP are actually using it for "teamwork". When this game first came out, there were people who you couldn't even hear, but now I think they figured out how to speak clearly (plus cranking the voice chat volume on my end really helps). Only once did I come across an annoying kid, but I think he'll go back to playing Pokemon for now on.

BTW, the review of the game on the X Play show is much better and more concise. Not to mention how neat that Morgan Web is a Unreal fangrrl...