Voice Command Map Callout Waypoints.

Games Halo 5: Guardians
1

Ok, so I’ve been longing for a “spotting” feature in Halo ever since I’ve used spotting in other games such as Gears of War and Battlefield. It’s such an amazing feature for team play. I think Halo can take it one step further though.

Sure, it’s amazing to be able to spot someone at and have their position revealed for a short period of time. At the same time, it sucks to be the player that happens to be spotted. They have no choice but to be shown for a period of time, no matter where they move to on the map. I think a good way to counter that and to get players to learn map locations is through a voice command callout system. Every XB1 comes bundled with a Kinect so it’s not like it would be detrimental to players that don’t have Kinect.

Let’s break this system down using Lockout as an example. Player 1 sees a guy rushing to the top of BR tower, he shouts “He’s BR3” or “two BR3” and a waypoint appears at BR3 for a few seconds. Once a player looks in the general direction the waypoint would disappear for them so that it wouldn’t be a distraction. If the player calls out a second spot the initial spot would go away to stop from spot spamming. If a player is found to be abusing the system and is making false callouts the other players would have the option to disable that players callouts just as they have the ability to mute the player. If a player happened to be really turned off by this system he could have the option to turn the spotting off. Forge could also feature custom callout waypoints, also giving the player the ability to make custom callouts on non-forge maps and removing existing callouts. This could be huge for competitive Halo.

While the system could have potential I understand that their could be drawbacks. One being, accidental callouts. If you’re having a conversation with a friend and you say something the system believes is a callout and marks it, that could become annoying. Either way, it would certainly help newcomers to competitive Halo make basic callouts.

What does everyone think? Terrible idea? Ok idea? Good idea?

2

Only read a part of it, but it sounds like it works exactly like my idea that I proposed some time ago. I guess I like it.

Here is my idea: https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2767889_KINECT--Voice-commands--Best-Idea.aspx

3

Seems like it’s to easy just spam it for the sake of it. You know right when the game starts everyone is going to spam it. Example: there is a spawn point for the rocket launcher everyone before the game is obviously going to scream out " Launcher Tower!". Maybe there’s something more I’m missing here?

also for accidently saying commands that’s an easy fix. How about before every command you say “Spartans Br tower!”

4

> Seems like it’s to easy just spam it for the sake of it. You know right when the game starts everyone is going to spam it. Example: there is a spawn point for the rocket launcher everyone before the game is obviously going to scream out " Launcher Tower!". Maybe there’s something more I’m missing here?
>
> also for accidently saying commands that’s an easy fix. How about before every command you say “Spartans Br tower!”

Even if it was spammed, a callout isn’t going to add multiple waypoints. Their would be a single waypoint in the center of whatever position is called out. It would still be fine to make callouts for weapons too. It would be great for if someone didn’t know where a weapon was on the map.

Example:

Player 1: Hey where does camo spawn on this map?
Player 2: Oh, it’s in bottom ring.
Player 1: Bottom Ring?
Player 2: “spot bottom ring” waypoint appears
Player 1: Gee thanks! This spotting feature is amazing! Good thing Shabutie was around to express this idea on the waypoint forums
Player 2: Yeah, he’s a pretty intelligent person. He should probably be the president of 343 industries.
Player 1: More like president of the world!
Player 1 and Player 2: Chuckles in agreement.

If extra words didn’t have to be used that would be perfect. However, if a trigger word had to be said to make a callout it would make more sense for it to be a single syllable. Something like the word “spot” would be good.

5

Voice Call-Outs. That would be so cool to have, since the XBOX One has Kinect, it would prove to be quite useful. Love the idea, Shabutie

6

> > Seems like it’s to easy just spam it for the sake of it. You know right when the game starts everyone is going to spam it. Example: there is a spawn point for the rocket launcher everyone before the game is obviously going to scream out " Launcher Tower!". Maybe there’s something more I’m missing here?
> >
> > also for accidently saying commands that’s an easy fix. How about before every command you say “Spartans Br tower!”
>
> Even if it was spammed, a callout isn’t going to add multiple waypoints. Their would be a single waypoint in the center of whatever position is called out. It would still be fine to make callouts for weapons too. It would be great for if someone didn’t know where a weapon was on the map.
>
> Example:
>
> Player 1: Hey where does camo spawn on this map?
> Player 2: Oh, it’s in bottom ring.
> Player 1: Bottom Ring?
> Player 2: “spot bottom ring” waypoint appears
> Player 1: Gee thanks! This spotting feature is amazing! Good thing Shabutie was around to express this idea on the waypoint forums
> Player 2: Yeah, he’s a pretty intelligent person. He should probably be the president of 343 industries.
> Player 1: More like president of the world!
> Player 1 and Player 2: Chuckles in agreement.
>
> If extra words didn’t have to be used that would be perfect. However, if a trigger word had to be said to make a callout it would make more sense for it to be a single syllable. Something like the word “spot” would be good.

I agree this would be cool and help me help my friends who want to get good at halo in the future (as always lol)

but dat dialogue…made me crack up so much.

7

> > Seems like it’s to easy just spam it for the sake of it. You know right when the game starts everyone is going to spam it. Example: there is a spawn point for the rocket launcher everyone before the game is obviously going to scream out " Launcher Tower!". Maybe there’s something more I’m missing here?
> >
> > also for accidently saying commands that’s an easy fix. How about before every command you say “Spartans Br tower!”
>
> Even if it was spammed, a callout isn’t going to add multiple waypoints. Their would be a single waypoint in the center of whatever position is called out. It would still be fine to make callouts for weapons too. It would be great for if someone didn’t know where a weapon was on the map.
>
> Example:
>
> Player 1: Hey where does camo spawn on this map?
> Player 2: Oh, it’s in bottom ring.
> Player 1: Bottom Ring?
> Player 2: “spot bottom ring” waypoint appears
> Player 1: Gee thanks! This spotting feature is amazing! Good thing Shabutie was around to express this idea on the waypoint forums
> Player 2: Yeah, he’s a pretty intelligent person. He should probably be the president of 343 industries.
> Player 1: More like president of the world!
> Player 1 and Player 2: Chuckles in agreement.
>
> If extra words didn’t have to be used that would be perfect. However, if a trigger word had to be said to make a callout it would make more sense for it to be a single syllable. Something like the word “spot” would be good.

Oh okay I get it now thanks for clearing that up I was thinking of it in a different way. Love this idea!

8

Similar threads have popped up and would still like to see a context sensitive version implemented. Basically whatever your reticule is on gets “spotted or tagged”. Each unique element would have an icon and colour associated with it. For example:

[/li]- Vehicle icons (differing colours for friend or foe).

  • Weapon icons (one set colour and doesn’t matter if it’s a spawning weapon or a dropped dead enemy weapon).
  • Enemies (moving or still and only lasts a short time or while in line of sight of the tagging player).
  • Maximum of 2 concurrent spots/tags per player, if you tag a 3rd then the 1st is lost.
  • Player toggles for all icons on, all icons off, XBL friends icons only (thus keeping it clean).
  • If just ground or objects then a waypoint icon is the context sensitive default e.g. meet me here or pick up in vehicle at this waypoint (this way the spotting/tagging is combined with mic teamwork). This point is basically what you describe in your OP, just display a one word call out with the icon.

I’m unsure if this would be viable in all play modes but I’d personally be for it across the board. Teamwork remains paramount and enables players without mics or mute bans to assist the rest of the team etc. I often find having that visual representation is very helpful e.g. I just stole a Mantis or I’m gunning a mongoose to pickup a flag guy or to patrol an area or for a team mate to pick up the enemy sniper I just took down.

When I think about possible modes with say 32 or 64 or 128 players squad based tagging via voice or d-pad could become very essential indeed.

9

Great concept.

That’s one of the ways Kinect could work perfectly within “hardcore” games.
Main problem still being the way gamers think about anything non-controller based, no matter if it happens to work. I would embrace it though.

And if we were to get Blue Team or another permanent present group of Spartans/ODSTs to work alongside of Chief in the campaign I would like something similar to be able to coordinate battles. Just simple gestures to get AI to move to/attack certain spots/enemies. It could be particularly interesting for Warthog gunners. Most of the time drivers don’t give you enough time to attack an enemy because they either don’t fully see what you’re doing (multi) of the AI just decides to ignore what’s going on. Setting markers could help get rid of such a thing.

10

You guys obviously never heard someone over Kinect. It sounds extremly awfull.

People will need to learn the callouts to use this system. People will need to give the callouts 3 or 4 times and scream their -yoink- of untill kinect understands it.

Also is not everybody using the same callouts and of course not everybody is talking the same language.

All of the people that where buying a xbox 360 had a headset too and you can rarely see someone using it if he is not your buddy anyway. So the “everybody has kinect” argument isnt that good.

(A lot of people will turn of kinect anyway. NSA anyone?)

So I cant see this working and I also cant see how this adds anything to the game. Sound a bit like a crutch for people that are to silly to learn callouts.

Just my opinion.

My solution: Go into forge, learn the callouts, get pro.

11

Interesting concept. PayDay 2 has this option to highlight guards during stealth mode or when a special type of enemy appears on the map.

Question remains to me: Will it have a stacking feature? Which means multiple teammates can highlight an enemy unit that lasts longer?

12

> You guys obviously never heard someone over Kinect. It sounds extremly awfull.
>
> People will need to learn the callouts to use this system. People will need to give the callouts 3 or 4 times and scream their -yoink- of untill kinect understands it.
>
> Also is not everybody using the same callouts and of course not everybody is talking the same language.
>
> All of the people that where buying a xbox 360 had a headset too and you can rarely see someone using it if he is not your buddy anyway. So the “everybody has kinect” argument isnt that good.
>
> (A lot of people will turn of kinect anyway. NSA anyone?)
>
> So I cant see this working and I also cant see how this adds anything to the game. Sound a bit like a crutch for people that are to silly to learn callouts.
>
> Just my opinion.
>
> My solution: Go into forge, learn the callouts, get pro.

I thought I would not use kinect 2.0 but after I got one its a real blast to use and it does not need to be screamed at I don’t have to repeat myself either.

Kinect 2, understands other languages also it does not need to work in gamechat For instance I am in a party with friends talking yet I want the entire team to go to mid so I know a call out command list for each map so I say it and it marks mid.

13

> You guys obviously never heard someone over Kinect. It sounds extremly awfull.

You obviously don’t have an XB1. The Kinect chat isn’t nearly as bad as 360’s. You can also use voice commands without using the Kinect mic. So your starting statement makes no sense. I should stop replying here, but I’ll continue…

> People will need to learn the callouts to use this system. People will need to give the callouts 3 or 4 times and scream their -yoink- of untill kinect understands it.

When playing BF4 I say commands ONCE. Rarely do I have to say them twice. Up until this point, you just have no idea what you’re talking about.

> Also is not everybody using the same callouts and of course not everybody is talking the same language.

Kinect understands many languages. Everyone would use the same callouts if they were named. It would give them a reason to learn them.

> All of the people that where buying a xbox 360 had a headset too and you can rarely see someone using it if he is not your buddy anyway. So the “everybody has kinect” argument isnt that good.
>
> (A lot of people will turn of kinect anyway. NSA anyone?)

That’s their choice, the spot system doesn’t have to be used by everyone. They have every right to not want to use it. Like stated before, you can do voice commands without doing chat. So even players that aren’t chatting can make callouts.

> So I cant see this working and I also cant see how this adds anything to the game. Sound a bit like a crutch for people that are to silly to learn callouts.

Well I can understand how you can’t see this working, you don’t understand the basics of Kinect 2.0. Maybe next time, before bashing something, you can do a little bit of research to have a better understanding about what you’re arguing about.

> Just my opinion.

That it is…

> My solution: Go into forge, learn the callouts, get pro.

Not everyone is going to do this. Not everyone is going to use a mic even if they know the callouts. The system helps team play in every possible way. Even if all players aren’t using it, some players will and it’ll help out. It’s not just a feature for hardcore competitive play. It’s to help better the play of more social/casual players.