Guild Wars 2

Any chat-system additions or improvements in store for 2013?

For those who don’t know, a blog about what ANet’s focusing on has been posted.
https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/colin-johanson-on-guild-wars-2-in-the-months-ahead/

Currently, what I like most is “map chat”. It really allows players to socialize when they’re not busy rushing to different content.
Guild chat works similarly, but I can’t control whose in the guild or representing. Whisper feels far too formal for casual conversation.

Preferring map chat, I would like to see a similar form of chat implemented for contacts (a channel that links you to all your friends), allowing players to get better acquainted with new friends during their leisure times.

• Having a personal “friends” channel has proven to be a great asset in other MMOs.
• Implementing different channels for guilds would be nice too. (Maybe have it so when a guild member speaks, their guild tag is included beside their name so you know whose talking from where)

The biggest criticism I’ve had to this concept is players are afraid of the frustration that might be caused from friends of friends overhearing conversations.

• To that I say: That happens in Map Chat too. It’s not a big deal. You’re over-thinking it.
• Casual conversation being overheard only fosters a more social atmosphere.

I sincerely hope there are improvements to the chat system, as I’m a more casual player, have yet to find a guild I really click with, and would much rather get to know the individual friendly players I’ve met through my time in GW2.

(Guilds aren’t the only way to foster a community!)

I would like the chat window to be available whilst looking at the world map.

How about some sort of integrated voice chat!

ToonPhil.4052:

How about some sort of integrated voice chat!

Maybe in sPvP and tPvP, where team coordination is paramount.

I’ve never been all that attracted to voice chat, and I’m sure many others would agree.

A lot of the community just aren’t that social, and there are many free options like skype and the new “raidcall” program for guild and dungeon-groups.
Which is why you’ll rarely see a game developer focus on voice-chat at all. There are too many solid alternatives to bother developing their own.

And there’s always the concern that someone uses it to —-- around. >_>

DreamOfACure.4382:

• Implementing different channels for guilds would be nice too. (Maybe have it so when a guild member speaks, their guild tag is included beside their name so you know whose talking from where)

For those guilds with over 500 members and hence more than 1 guild, the ability to link the guild chat for the mutiple guilds. This is a must, its really difficult for my guild.

I suppose if multiple guild chat were available, people could just invite each other to their own personal guild and talk that way.

Although that’d be skirting around the main problem.