Wii U's Voice Chat Requires Third-Party Peripheral

[Sarah LeBoeuf]

Wii U's Voice Chat Requires Third-Party Peripheral

Voice chat on Nintendo's next console will only be available in select games.

With one month to go until the Wii U launches in North America, a Nintendo representative has shed some light on how voice chat will work on the console, and it's not exactly ideal. Even though the GamePad controller has a built-in microphone, that's not how you'll chat while playing games online. Instead, you'll be required to buy a licensed third-party Wii U wired headset from Mad Catz or Turtle Beach.

Of course, the Wii U Pro controller, which might be preferable for somes games, doesn't have a headset port, so you'll have to plug it in to the GamePad's headphone jack. That means your wired headset will be connected to a controller you may not even be using while playing a game like Call of Duty Black Ops II online.

In addition to Black Ops II, voice chat will be made available for "select games," the rep said. That also includes Mass Effect 3, Assassin's Creed III, and "all games with significant online multiplayer modes, and all which support in-game voice chat on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3." It sounds like any game that needs voice chat would be represented in this group, but that also means there's a chance that any Wii U exclusive with online multiplayer that's not deemed "significant" could go without it.

It's possible that Wii U's voice chatting capabilities are still evolving, so wireless headsets could be made available at some point. The GamePad does have Bluetooth support, but there's been no word from Nintendo yet on whether or not that can be utilized for wireless headsets.

The limited, game-by-game voice chat is puzzling, especially since the console comes with a controller that has a built-in microphone. We'll find out more about Wii U's online capabilities as we get closer to its November 18 launch.

Source: Kotaku [http://kotaku.com/5952858/you-can-voice+chat-on-the-wii-u-while-gaming-but-theres-a-catch]

Permalink

 

[Mr. Omega]

On one hand, yes, it makes the servers you play on far more quiet and makes games harder to communicate on.

On the other hand... *looks at XBL* is that necessarily a bad thing?

But back to the first hand, the way of using the headset sounds incredibly inconvenient. And there's no "on the other hand" bit for that, that's just inexcusable.

Still, as said in the article, it's possible that this is just a starting point and capabilities can change later.

Personally, most guys I'd play co-op with I would talk to on skype or just invite over. But that's just me. I usually just play co-op with people I'm in regular contact with. I can see it being a legitimate complaint, and I understand people not being happy, but I won't be one of the guys complaining.

 

[New Frontiersman]

*looks at XBL* is that necessarily a bad thing?

Yeah, this is basically how I see it.

I don't really have a problem with this, from what I've seen actually talking with the people you're playing with online seems to cause little more than headaches.

 

[ScruffyMcBalls]

While it is a significant disappointment, I can't see this being a hardware issue, I just don't understand how it could be, so I'm pretty confident some sort of app or service will be launched for any-time voice chat. It doesn't solve the issue with the Pro-Controller, which is a shame, but as mentioned, bluetooth could offer a way around that.
So, yeah, disappointing, but it's more than likely all fixable, so I won't hold it against what could be a fantastic console currently mired by the "gimmick" title.
Just hold on a little longer people, cast your final judgments once the thing's out.

 

[ToastiestZombie]

TBH, who even uses wired headphones anymore that aren't gaming headsets? I've barely seen anyone use a wired headset, like I barely see any people use a wired controller anymore. There's a very big chance of there being a wireless USB headset right at launch.

 

[Xanthious]

Somewhere in Japan Nintendo executives are currently in a meeting learning the ins and outs of screwing up a wet dream.

I HATE my Wii. The Wii U had my interest though. The more I hear about it though the less I'm interested in getting a Wii U. Want to use your Wii Pro Controller? Too bad you have to spend another 50 dollars for a Wii U Pro Controller. Now you want to use voice chat? Well better go drop another pile of cash on a yet another needless peripheral even though the fucking controller has a microphone built into it. Oh and if you happen to be using a Pro Controller you're going to need to plug that headset in someplace else.

I'm wondering just how many fucking peripherals I'm going to ultimately have to buy for this fucking system. 300 for the bare bone system. Another 50 if I want to use a regular controller. Tack on another 40 or so for a headset. 60 dollars if I actually want a game. That's around 450 dollars plus tax out of the gate. It's the same bullshit that Sony pulled with the PS Vita. After you got a Vita, a memory card, a game and so on that thing was pushing 400 dollars.

I really miss the days of being able to buy a system and get two controllers and a decent game with it. Christ the NES came with 2 controllers, a light gun, and TWO games. Today that kind of bundle would be unheard of. The Power Pad Bundle came with two controllers, three games, a light gun, and a power pad. You couldn't get Sony, MS, or Nintendo to put out that kind of bundle today at gunpoint.

 

[gardian06]

The limited, game-by-game voice chat is puzzling, especially since the console comes with a controller that has a built-in microphone.

Um the built in mic is for the same reason every version of the DS has had a mic, and the add on for the GameCube: so player can talk to the game (and people thought that Microsoft was the ones who came up with that one, no just another case of adopting something that had already been done)

There's a very big chance of there being a wireless USB headset right at launch.

not really Nintendo's stand point on "non-authorized" peripherals has always been "if you use it you void the warranty, and you do not receive system support." this was the same position they had with the Nyko charging stand (the one that didn't F-up the battery packs)

OT: limiting voice chat is actually a nice option, but I see some limitations to it. where if the people really need to talk about a section of the game, but then again any way that can avoid what has happened to XBoxLive is an attempt at the right direction. but why not give the right to ban players for "offensive" language. while in game somebody uses something like fuck every other word, and then the other players have the right to flag as offensive, and then triggers a review, and if found credible they are not allowed to play multiplayer for a time period. but then we just might have what happens with youtube videos where people will report a video just because they don't like what someone is saying in it.

 

[zelda2fanboy]

I also like Nintendo's excuse for why Pikmin 3 won't have online play, which basically boils down to "it's too hard." I'm sorry, but why wouldn't you want your system to have these features? It's mind boggling. Yet they wonder why third party sales are always so low on their consoles. They design their systems only for their own games, and this time it doesn't even seem like they did that. I've yet to see a trailer for any first party Nintendo title that looks like it really really needs an extra screen. This is ridiculous.

I don't even play games online, let alone want to talk to people online. But, in order to be successful, it helps to provide that option to people who do. I've been through two systems now that have had massive drop offs in users and long game draughts because no one wants to make titles for them after a certain point. I know the typical excuse is, "well, then don't buy it." I assure you, I won't. It's just difficult to come to terms with because I liked this brand and its games for so many years. The past two generations have been "get excited, buy Nintendo system, get fed up, buy competitor, play competitor for a lot longer and enjoy much better games." This time I'll just skip the first two steps.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

all games with significant online multiplayer modes
So why is ME3 on the list then?

HA! Very nice.

---

It sounds like kind of a pain in the ass if you're someone who primarily plays online with other people. So it looks like this is an issue I won't have to suffer through. Like it said in the article though, there will likely be a wireless headset released at some point in the not-too-distant future so it's really only a problem to people who buy a Wii-U and, Blops2 on day one which I really wouldn't think would be many people.

 

[Guffe]

That's a shame, would be nice with voice chat in every game and besides having to buy an exclusive headset? what's wrong with the one I use while playing on my computer?
Doubt I'll get the headset anyway, I'm more of a play singleplyer or maybe with a few friends in the same room, drinking beer and stuff.

 

[Yopaz]

The limited, game-by-game voice chat is puzzling, especially since the console comes with a controller that has a built-in microphone.

Um the built in mic is for the same reason every version of the DS has had a mic, and the add on for the GameCube: so player can talk to the game (and people thought that Microsoft was the ones who came up with that one, no just another case of adopting something that had already been done)

There's a very big chance of there being a wireless USB headset right at launch.

not really Nintendo's stand point on "non-authorized" peripherals has always been "if you use it you void the warranty, and you do not receive system support." this was the same position they had with the Nyko charging stand (the one that didn't F-up the battery packs)

I have no problem connecting a keyboard to my Wii and the DS microphone can actually be used to talk to people. I have used that when battling my friends in Pokemon so it isn't just for talking to the game.

OT: While I can see this being a little stupid I barely use voice chat anyway. I'd rather chat with people through Mumble rather than hearing anyone on the server whining and screaming.

 

[Quiotu]

So the WiiU doesn't support 1080p, and now it can't handle bluetooth headsets. Awesome.

One has to wonder how good the WiiU's online features will be. Nintendo hasn't exactly been taking the fans by storm through their online component. If their online system is still blatantly sub-par than THIS generation's consoles, I don't get who they're catering to anymore.

You act like you want to cater to the hardcore again, Nintendo. You're bringing all these mainstream games back to your system, and yet you're missing key features. Guess we'll see what the response is at launch.

 

[laurenhiya21]

Good thing I don't care about multiplayer
(or voice chat for that matter...)
It does seem a little silly though...

 

[Mr.Mattress]

I also like Nintendo's excuse for why Pikmin 3 won't have online play, which basically boils down to "it's too hard." I'm sorry, but why wouldn't you want your system to have these features? It's mind boggling. Yet they wonder why third party sales are always so low on their consoles.

Why should Pikmin 3 Have online play at all? Does Pikmin 3 sound like it would be something that needs it? Not to me. Pikmin 3 is best when you play it alone, not when 8 people are looking around in an enclosed space for stuff that's already been gotten. So complaining about Pikmin 3 not having online support is stupid.

The system DOES have online features, Nintendo clearly isn't taking advantage of them, but others are. Nintendo's not even doing anything different from everyone else anyways. Xbox 360? You gotta buy a separate Microphone to communicate with people. Playstation 3? Same thing.

What does this article have to do with 3rd party titles? For the first time in EVER, they're making a console that is 3rd party friendly; it gives them the graphics, the online capabilities, the disc size, the lack of gimmickry. Most 3rd party companies are praising the WiiU, not criticizing it. 3rd Party sales were low because Nintendo was never 3rd party friendly; the WiiU changes that.

I won't criticize your points on games that don't require touch screens, because in all honesty, yeah; none of those games do. Still won't mean new games won't need it. I'm personally hoping for a Kirby Canvas Curse 2 is.

I don't even play games online, let alone want to talk to people online. But, in order to be successful, it helps to provide that option to people who do. I've been through two systems now that have had massive drop offs in users and long game draughts because no one wants to make titles for them after a certain point. I know the typical excuse is, "well, then don't buy it." I assure you, I won't. It's just difficult to come to terms with because I liked this brand and its games for so many years. The past two generations have been "get excited, buy Nintendo system, get fed up, buy competitor, play competitor for a lot longer and enjoy much better games." This time I'll just skip the first two steps.

If you don't care about Online Games, then you should be praising the WiiU, not criticizing it. Nintendo is one of the few companies that still make games relatively online-less, and yet, here you are saying "We need internet to be successful". Fun fact; you didn't need the Internet with the NES, SNES, Playstation 1, and it was not essential at all to the Wii or PS2. Having Internet on par with Xbox Live =/= Success. It's all about games, and let me tell you, The WiiU has fun Games [http://wiiudaily.com/2012/10/business-insider-praises-the-wii-u/].

What two systems? Just out of curiosity. If it's Gamecube and Wii, you can't complain about the Gamecube; It never dried up on games. The Wii? Yes. The Gamecube? Heck no.

Enjoy not playing the WiiU Then; I'll tell you if it's worth purchasing a year down the road. Hopefully, it will be.

So the WiiU doesn't support 1080p, and now it can't handle bluetooth headsets. Awesome.

Your [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wkQGEpRgL0] Wrong [http://wiiu-gamers.com/news/batman-armored-edition-and-assassins-creed-iii-running-at-1080p/] There [http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/32019].

Your also wrong on the Online Store [http://wiiudaily.com/2012/10/wii-u-indie-friendly/], it's better then what it once was!

 

[Korten12]

Why should Pikmin 3 Have online play at all? Does Pikmin 3 sound like it would be something that needs it? Not to me. Pikmin 3 is best when you play it alone, not when 8 people are looking around in an enclosed space for stuff that's already been gotten. So complaining about Pikmin 3 not having online support is stupid.

Well good to know we have people who are able to go to another dimension where Pikmin has multiplayer and can tell us how bad it is!

No, your counter argument is stupid. Multiplayer Pikmin could be just simply Co-op which would be AWESOME. Being able to play with friends and coordinate their efforts against big enemies and to get large items would be just sweet.

 

[zelda2fanboy]

Why should Pikmin 3 Have online play at all? Does Pikmin 3 sound like it would be something that needs it? Not to me. Pikmin 3 is best when you play it alone, not when 8 people are looking around in an enclosed space for stuff that's already been gotten. So complaining about Pikmin 3 not having online support is stupid.

The system DOES have online features, Nintendo clearly isn't taking advantage of them, but others are. Nintendo's not even doing anything different from everyone else anyways. Xbox 360? You gotta buy a separate Microphone to communicate with people. Playstation 3? Same thing.

Um, my 360 came with a headset. My PS3 works with any bluetooth headset. My PS3 has almost all of the games the Xbox has and vice versa. My Wii can't play any of them. The same thing eventually happened with my Gamecube in the days of Xbox 1 and PS2. Basically, developers didn't want to make compromised versions of their games for a system that they weren't going to sell as well on anyways. Something similar happened in the N64 era, too. It's getting really really old.

And why wouldn't you want the option of online play in a Pikmin game? I could easily come up with multiple multiplayer concepts that could work in that environment that would probably be a lot of fun. But you don't want online play in a Pikmin game because it's never been there before? Hell, Pikmin 2 had two player. I never played it either because I don't know anyone else who plays Pikmin, which can be fairly complex to someone who hasn't played the game from the beginning. This is where online would come in handy a lot.

What does this article have to do with 3rd party titles? For the first time in EVER, they're making a console that is 3rd party friendly; it gives them the graphics, the online capabilities, the disc size, the lack of gimmickry. Most 3rd party companies are praising the WiiU, not criticizing it. 3rd Party sales were low because Nintendo was never 3rd party friendly; the WiiU changes that.

If you don't care about Online Games, then you should be praising the WiiU, not criticizing it. Nintendo is one of the few companies that still make games relatively online-less, and yet, here you are saying "We need internet to be successful". Fun fact; you didn't need the Internet with the NES, SNES, Playstation 1, and it was not essential at all to the Wii or PS2. Having Internet on par with Xbox Live =/= Success. It's all about games, and let me tell you, The WiiU has fun Games [http://wiiudaily.com/2012/10/business-insider-praises-the-wii-u/].

What two systems? Just out of curiosity. If it's Gamecube and Wii, you can't complain about the Gamecube; It never dried up on games. The Wii? Yes. The Gamecube? Heck no.

Nintendo's philosophy towards online has always been "good luck with that." And what developers would want to go to the time and expense designing something for an ass backwards online experience when competitors with larger potential sales have it already set up for them? When I go to buy a game and one version of that game has an online mode and one doesn't, which one do you think I'll buy? The one that does. I may not ever touch it, but it's there if I want to use it. I don't willfully give up my ability to do things just because I don't feel like it. Example: I'm never getting gay married, but I'd be plenty annoyed if I lived in a state where I couldn't.

And no software draught on gamecube? Check out this thread from 2001.
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/video-game-talk/164668-post-launch-software-drought-gamecube.html

Look at this list of reviews and dates form the last couple years of the gamecube's life. It's pathetic. http://cube.ign.com/index/reviews.html

I clearly remember I had to buy an Xbox 1 just to get new games after awhile since most games ended up being only on PS2 and Xbox. I know the gamecube had the horse power to handle GTA, Max Payne, Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and Star Wars KOTOR, but I had to get another system to play those games. It had nothing to do with exclusivity deals or contracts, either. These publishers just knew the money wasn't in the gamecube.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

Why should Pikmin 3 Have online play at all? Does Pikmin 3 sound like it would be something that needs it? Not to me. Pikmin 3 is best when you play it alone, not when 8 people are looking around in an enclosed space for stuff that's already been gotten. So complaining about Pikmin 3 not having online support is stupid.

The system DOES have online features, Nintendo clearly isn't taking advantage of them, but others are. Nintendo's not even doing anything different from everyone else anyways. Xbox 360? You gotta buy a separate Microphone to communicate with people. Playstation 3? Same thing.

Um, my 360 came with a headset. My PS3 works with any bluetooth headset. My PS3 has almost all of the games the Xbox has and vice versa. My Wii can't play any of them. The same thing eventually happened with my Gamecube in the days of Xbox 1 and PS2. Basically, developers didn't want to make compromised versions of their games for a system that they weren't going to sell as well on anyways. Something similar happened in the N64 era, too. It's getting really really old.

And why wouldn't you want the option of online play in a Pikmin game? I could easily come up with multiple multiplayer concepts that could work in that environment that would probably be a lot of fun. But you don't want online play in a Pikmin game because it's never been there before? Hell, Pikmin 2 had two player. I never played it either because I don't know anyone else who plays Pikmin, which can be fairly complex to someone who hasn't played the game from the beginning. This is where online would come in handy a lot.

1: Congratulations, neither of my XBox 360's (Original or Elite) nor did my PS3 come with head sets.

2: I agree; the Gamecube did not have online play nor did it have a real quality format (Those tiny discs easily scratched for me), and the Wii's forced Motion Controls which were definitely not the best. However, the WiiU is different; Real Online Play, Real Discs, and no forced Gimmick that stinks (Touch Screens do not stink).

3: I tried the two player games in Pikmin 2, they were not enjoyable to me, nor were they fun to my brother. It was too clustered, and there was not enough stuff to do in my opinion. Pikmin works best as single player; that is where I had fun.

What does this article have to do with 3rd party titles? For the first time in EVER, they're making a console that is 3rd party friendly; it gives them the graphics, the online capabilities, the disc size, the lack of gimmickry. Most 3rd party companies are praising the WiiU, not criticizing it. 3rd Party sales were low because Nintendo was never 3rd party friendly; the WiiU changes that.

If you don't care about Online Games, then you should be praising the WiiU, not criticizing it. Nintendo is one of the few companies that still make games relatively online-less, and yet, here you are saying "We need internet to be successful". Fun fact; you didn't need the Internet with the NES, SNES, Playstation 1, and it was not essential at all to the Wii or PS2. Having Internet on par with Xbox Live =/= Success. It's all about games, and let me tell you, The WiiU has fun Games [http://wiiudaily.com/2012/10/business-insider-praises-the-wii-u/].

What two systems? Just out of curiosity. If it's Gamecube and Wii, you can't complain about the Gamecube; It never dried up on games. The Wii? Yes. The Gamecube? Heck no.

Nintendo's philosophy towards online has always been "good luck with that." And what developers would want to go to the time and expense designing something for an ass backwards online experience when competitors with larger potential sales have it already set up for them? When I go to buy a game and one version of that game has an online mode and one doesn't, which one do you think I'll buy? The one that does. I may not ever touch it, but it's there if I want to use it. I don't willfully give up my ability to do things just because I don't feel like it. Example: I'm never getting gay married, but I'd be plenty annoyed if I lived in a state where I couldn't.

And no software draught on gamecube? Check out this thread from 2001.
http://forum.dvdtalk.com/video-game-talk/164668-post-launch-software-drought-gamecube.html

Look at this list of reviews and dates form the last couple years of the gamecube's life. It's pathetic. http://cube.ign.com/index/reviews.html

I clearly remember I had to buy an Xbox 1 just to get new games after awhile since most games ended up being only on PS2 and Xbox. I know the gamecube had the horse power to handle GTA, Max Payne, Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, and Star Wars KOTOR, but I had to get another system to play those games. It had nothing to do with exclusivity deals or contracts, either. These publishers just knew the money wasn't in the gamecube.

1: So was Sony with the Playstation 2; Look at the results [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playstation_2#Sales]. Did the Xbox trump the PS2? No. Did the Sega Dreamcast beat the Gamecube? No!

2: Okay, so please pick up a copy of Pikmin 2 for Xbox 360/PS3. Oh wait, you can't. You can either not play the game, or play it without online features. It's Nintendo's game, they develop it how they want to, and you can determine whether you wanna play it or not. Also, no one is giving you monetary benefits for getting a game on one system over the other. Don't compare Gay Marriage to Online Play on a video game.

3: These same publishers know there is money to be made with WiiU. Some are saying it's the best out there [http://wiiudaily.com/2012/10/developer-wii-u-is-the-strongest-console-right-now/], So why would you not support the WiiU [http://wiiudaily.com/2012/10/developer-wii-u-is-the-strongest-console-right-now/]?

 

[AzrealMaximillion]

A thread with the word WiiU in it? Popcorn ready.

 

[zelda2fanboy]

1: So was Sony with the Playstation 2; Look at the results [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playstation_2#Sales]. Did the Xbox trump the PS2? No. Did the Sega Dreamcast beat the Gamecube? No!

2: Okay, so please pick up a copy of Pikmin 2 for Xbox 360/PS3. Oh wait, you can't. You can either not play the game, or play it without online features. It's Nintendo's game, they develop it how they want to, and you can determine whether you wanna play it or not. Also, no one is giving you monetary benefits for getting a game on one system over the other. Don't compare Gay Marriage to Online Play on a video game.

3: These same publishers know there is money to be made with WiiU. Some are saying it's the best out there [http://wiiudaily.com/2012/10/developer-wii-u-is-the-strongest-console-right-now/], So why would you not support the WiiU [http://wiiudaily.com/2012/10/developer-wii-u-is-the-strongest-console-right-now/]?

1. Um, okay? I don't know what that has to do with anything. The Gamecube managed to beat a technologically inferior system whose manufacturer pretty much issued a press release saying they wouldn't support it anymore. They quit.

2. I have no need to pick up Pikmin 3 on any system because I already own Pikmin 1 and 2. I got bored of Pikmin 2 before I could finish it. Why get another game in the series if it's going to basically the same as the first two and have no online mode? Yes, I am getting benefits to buying games on other systems. I don't buy anything for 360 anymore because PS3 has free online. I'm not necessarily using the online modes, but the PS3 my preferred system now. When two versions of the same game are 60 bucks and one does things the other can't, I'm opting for that version, regardless of using those features. I at least give online a try.

3. Always great to hear from Shin'en, creators of such monumentally relevant titles as Garfield's Nightmare and Fun! Fun! Minigolf TOUCH!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shin'en_Multimedia