voice commands?

[Shadowboss]

it would be damn cool if we could use voice recognition tech in game, giving voice commands(engage warp, etc)..is this feasible?

[Tamgros]

Maybe feasible, but it would take a lot of development time. Remember, for anything you want to add for the game, that means it takes development time away from something else.

As voice commands are kind of just a gimmick IMO, I'd rather the devs work on other things :)

[47Wasps]

While there is an attraction to saying "Warp 7!" and having your ship jump to warp,I don't think features like voice command will be in STO,and I'm glad for it.
Voice command systems in other games usually are more frustrating than effective.To do it right,the Dev Team would have to work hard on it,and I don't think a feature like that is worth the feature.

[Bob5602]

Well for voice commands to be truly effective in games the game needs to be designed around that feature, such as EndWar. I remember i got a voice recognition software package when I played through StarFleet Command and Bridge Commander. Sure it was just a program that mapped button presses to certain voice commands that you input yourself, but I could totally see an outside program being able to handle that functionality for STO. Why have the Devs program in a lot of extra code for features that won't be full-fledged and can be handled otherwise?

[raldar]

Voice commands would be a nikce feature. But, it would only be used by a very small percentage of the players.

I know I wouldn't use it as I have no setup for it.

[ShawnCooks]

I think voice commands would be a great idea, I would use them.
saying stuff is good as point click and so on! for one I cant wait to say "All hands battle stations"

[zeena07]

Ifor one I cant wait to say "All hands battle stations"WooT! :cool:

[Cosmo365]

Voice commands would be a very nifty feature.

To those saying that addingthis or that detracts from something else....you have to realize that the company is set up as teams. The team that would be doing one subsystem wouldn't touch another. Thus no impact.

As for voice support, there are plenty of solutions out there out of the box that could be modified to work. That way they do not have to program it from scratch. And if this is going to get ported to the 360, using project natal in the future would make it somewhat necessary.

[Captain_Smith]

It would be nice to have voice commands, but it doesn't bother me if it doesn't.

[grumpy-mcfart]

while I do love the idea of being able to have a voice command for "Red Alert!" it wouldn't bother me one bit if it weren't included

[hendo001]

I would love voice commands, I think i mentioned this on irc at some point.

I even used to use my microsoft gamevoice with the original SFC and would scream "Red Alert" and "Fire Phasers" "Fire Photons" etc.

ALL POWER TO SHIELDS!!! was very fun i can tell ya, but yeah I'd like to see it, maybe not at launch but as a patch maybe?

using voice commands would be cool :)
Just needs to be programmed right, hell till they bring it out would they allow us to use 3rd party software for it? or would that violate the EULA/TOS?

[ramjam380]

I don't think voice command is necessary, but on the other hand, I wouldn't be able to use it without getting some pretty strange looks from my wife.

Rather than embedded voice command, maybe Cryptic should just focus on making the interface as easy to hotkey and reformat as possible. That would make it easier to set up voice command controllers to work with the game--although I don't think the technology is quite there yet for this to be a functional feature.

[zeena07]

Mabey as an expansion?

I'd pay for that! :D

[Noxalon]

it would be damn cool if we could use voice recognition tech in game, giving voice commands(engage warp, etc)..is this feasible?

Captain> Computer Engage Warp.
Computer> You said Encage Worf, Is that right?
Captain> No, Engage warp!
Computer> You said, Endangered wort. Is that Right?
Captain> No
Computer> Please wait while we direct your command to an officer.

Officer> Hello, this is Lt Mohindar, my officer ID is 237JD7-728R. what orders do you have today?
Captain> Engage warp.
Officer> i'll need you to confirm some things first. Can you state the last four digits of your ID, the mailing address on file and your first ship?

Captain> OH screw it i'll do it my self!!

[zeena07]

I'll do it myself! LOL!

Nice ship Noxalon! :D

[cmhDK]

while it would be cool, I think the way they made STO it'll be faster if you push the buttons

[zeena07]

while it would be cool, I think the way they made STO it'll be faster if you push the buttonsBUTTON MASHING FTW!!! :D

[Lalaith]

Could probably just use actual voice recognition software to trigger a key press (or two) dependent on the phrase spoken. Although this is likely to run you foul of the TOS (because of the macroing aspect) and I'm not familiar with any VR software packages so it might be completely infeasible.

[zeena07]

Could probably just use actual voice recognition software to trigger a key press (or two) dependent on the phrase spoken. Although this is likely to run you foul of the TOS (because of the macroing aspect) and I'm not familiar with any VR software packages so it might be completely infeasible.It'd be nice if we knew for sure whether or not ther'd be a conflict with the TOS..

'Cuz this'd be soo much fun! :)

[Lazzarus1981]

I would also like to have this one included. And I don't believe it is hard to make some voice commands and include them from the beginning.

With the choice to use it or not, of course for those who don't want them.

[Lalaith]

I would also like to have this one included. And I don't believe it is hard to make some voice commands and include them from the beginning.

With the choice to use it or not, of course for those who don't want them.

As with all software projects in the corporate environment it all comes down to value for money in the form of developer hours. This will be competing against every other unimplemented and incomplete feature that is on the lists of things to do. There is many many more things that could be done before this would ever see the monitor's glare on a developers desk; else we would be playing STO right now and even then we would be wanting content.

And that's not getting into how hard voice recognition is to do well. Rule of Thumb: If there are several companies who sole product is around one type of thing (like voice recognition) and they have been around for years, then it is a whole lot harder than you think it is.

[Laphtiya]

Voice comands are so last century. I want one of THESE!

Neural Impulse Actuator Controller (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GC-000-OC&groupid=702&catid=288&subcat=)

[vulc89]

Voice comands are so last century. I want one of THESE!

Neural Impulse Actuator Controller (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GC-000-OC&groupid=702&catid=288&subcat=)

I have one, requires a lot of concentration and patience. Takes a lot of training to control your brain waves.

[Laphtiya]

Seriously you have one??? Been thinking of blowing some cash on this for a laugh I am always up for a new toy :)

[128hoodmario]

Has anybody else been following E3 and watched Peter Molyneux's presentation of that Milo fella for Project Natal. Some of that voice regonition is scary, Microsoft went and invented AI behind our backs and yelled SUPRISE at the top of their lungs

[jfolds1]

The game doesnt actually need to be coded for voice, to use voice

Back during Klingon Academy, we used a 3rd party application to map command keys to voice commands..

I can't remember the name of the program, but like my setup I could say 'raise sheilds' and it would do the commands like 4 5..

i had lots of phrases setup, i think E was emergency power so when i shouted "emergency power' the app fed E to klingon academy

man... wish i could remember that program... but as long as there is a keyboard shortcut for a command, you can map it to voice yourself

anyone out there from the old ka days remember the program? lots of us used it..

[Laphtiya]

The game doesnt actually need to be coded for voice, to use voice

Back during Klingon Academy, we used a 3rd party application to map command keys to voice commands..

I can't remember the name of the program, but like my setup I could say 'raise sheilds' and it would do the commands like 4 5..

i had lots of phrases setup, i think E was emergency power so when i shouted "emergency power' the app fed E to klingon academy

man... wish i could remember that program... but as long as there is a keyboard shortcut for a command, you can map it to voice yourself

anyone out there from the old ka days remember the program? lots of us used it..

I think you're talking about this

Game Voice (http://www.guru3d.com/review/microsoft/gamevoice/)

This basically does what you're saying, you type the command you want then record a vocal command and it assigns your command to it. It worked well and I used to use it for Starfleet academy and Mechwarrior.

[zeena07]

So then, it does NOT conflict with the TOS? :confused:

[Laphtiya]

TOS??? Whats that then?

The gamevoice just basically assigns recorded vocal commands to keyboard inputs.

[Ravain]

theremay be a voice command option

[Sarile]

It certainly is possible to have voice commands. It would ideally be nice to have a voice command where you talk into your microphone to make your voice command work. Technically that would probably be hard to accomplish.

You could alos press a key on your keyboard that would start a pre-recorded ingame voice command. For example, pressing "C" you would hear your captain say "raise shields" ingame. That type of voice command is technically easier to accomplish.

Live Long and Prosper.

[dieuwe10]

Maybe as an expansion, but don't put it in the release version. I think voice commands are a few weeks worth of work.

But saying things like "Red alert", "All hands battle stations", etc. is something I'd love to be able to do. I will make it feel like you really are sitting in the captain's chair.

[Laphtiya]

Maybe as an expansion, but don't put it in the release version. I think voice commands are a few weeks worth of work.

But saying things like "Red alert", "All hands battle stations", etc. is something I'd love to be able to do. I will make it feel like you really are sitting in the captain's chair.

An expansion?? There is no need for them to do any programming at all. Live I've said before all you need is a bit of software that assigns vocal recordings to keystrokes. Bit similar how dictation software works, there is no extra work for the devs. If you want voice in your game all you need to do is get something like the Microsoft Game Voice device, set it up and there you go! Voice commands for STO.

[zeena07]

An expansion?? There is no need for them to do any programming at all. Live I've said before all you need is a bit of software that assigns vocal recordings to keystrokes. Bit similar how dictation software works, there is no extra work for the devs. If you want voice in your game all you need to do is get something like the Microsoft Game Voice device, set it up and there you go! Voice commands for STO.Yes, yes..

But will it conflict with the TOS?

[Lalaith]

TOS??? Whats that then?

The gamevoice just basically assigns recorded vocal commands to keyboard inputs.


TOS = Terms of Service. A lot of MMO's have a clause that forbids using macro programs, on pain of eternal damnation - or a temp ban.

Although I believe its more for unattended macroing, rather than what is being discussed here. The caveat being that the STO terms of service haven't been released yet, and I'm no lawyer (thank god) and not a Cryptic employee, so all speculation :p

[cmhDK]

TOS = Terms of Service. A lot of MMO's have a clause that forbids using macro programs, on pain of eternal damnation - or a temp ban.

Although I believe its more for unattended macroing, rather than what is being discussed here. The caveat being that the STO terms of service haven't been released yet, and I'm no lawyer (thank god) and not a Cryptic employee, so all speculation :p

also known as "yes I really want to play the game, I have said I agree with your terms a million times already, you should be able to remember me by now, I a freggin regular! now let me in so I can play!" ;)

[jfolds1]

Shouldn't be any problem with it.

your still playing the same, hitting the key. klingon academy was really good with it.. i used to have a 'divert power to shields' command lol

think i could also specify fore/aft sheilds.. I remember shouting 'red alert' lots, cause that set my power distubution for overcharged photons

i'd use 'yellow alert' for like max shields

oh it was fun, basically from a wow stand point you could assign a voice command to any of the keys like 1 thru =

I can say it worked great, even in the heat of combat when my voice would be stressed it still worked

[zeena07]

Still, though..


I'm not gonna be purching no hundred dolla vioce recognition software 'till I know it's safe :p

[128hoodmario]

If he's not paying $100 then I'm not paying £61.46

[jfolds1]

mmm.... one i used was a free trial demo, had a limit to the # of commands you could set.. but it was plenty

look around, im sure more than one company makes the software

[zeena07]

mmm.... one i used was a free trial demo, had a limit to the # of commands you could set.. but it was plenty

look around, im sure more than one company makes the softwareWhat's the one you were using for free?!?

I want THAT one! ;)

[jfolds1]

lol god.. how many years ago was that..

what was klingon academy's release date? lol


hang on though, ill do a search and see if i can find it

while i'm searching, feel free to enjoy the klingon academy wiki... anyone have it and want to start playing some?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klingon_Academy

[mook42]

it would be damn cool if we could use voice recognition tech in game, giving voice commands(engage warp, etc)..is this feasible?

/AGREED this would be cool. they can do this if they wont to. but i dont think they wii.but they should give use voice chat like SWG :)

ps=i will use microsoft gamevoice and map my commands hehe:)

[jfolds1]

well from the software i saw doing my search... can't say i saw anything i remembered from back then

the link to that microsoft gizmo, was awesome though.. if i ever wanted to go voice think i would give that a try

but its something that doesnt need programming for, as long as all the game commands can use a keyboard keystroke


it was awesome fun, but didnt have vent back then either... i can imagine large battles sounded just like the cluttered com channels as everyone is barking out commands

[zeena07]

ol god.. how many years ago was that..

what was klingon academy's release date? lol

June 21, 2000

As per your graciously provided link-lol

it was awesome fun, but didnt have vent back then either... i can imagine large battles sounded just like the cluttered com channels as everyone is barking out commandsJust saw ur response now-lol

Microsoft eh... :D

[jfolds1]

actually.. i just ordered this

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3649459&CatId=1018


better grab it while it's hot, for that price its worth a try

[zeena07]

Hey, how's about general /ooc chat? or /team chat & /guild chat?

Anyone know if these are voice enabled functions as of yet?

[jfolds1]

wow.. only 2000

seems like longer haha

the engineering controls were awesome in klingon academy... you could literally have someone flying conn on the joystick and a dedicated engineer on the keyboard.. kicked major butt doing that

[zeena07]

actually.. i just ordered this

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3649459&CatId=1018


better grab it while it's hot, for that price its worth a tryKewlies, thanks..

Though far from free, I might just be interested in this-heh

[zeena07]

wow.. only 2000

seems like longer haha

the engineering controls were awesome in klingon academy... you could literally have someone flying conn on the joystick and a dedicated engineer on the keyboard.. kicked major butt doing thatSo then..

You played it, and obviously enjoyed it! :D

[I read most of the wiki, btw-lol-As I do like to kill time!-haha]

[jfolds1]

oh it was cool... bridge commander was actually a step backward in gameplay

klingon academy you had a system in which you could warp around, ended up having to chase half dead ships.. oh it was a blast

and that project natal is awesome if you can also rig it to a pc

http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6210712/

[zeena07]

oh it was cool... bridge commander was actually a step backward in gameplay

klingon academy you had a system in which you could warp around, ended up having to chase half dead ships.. oh it was a blast

and that project natal is awesome if you can also rig it to a pc

http://e3.gamespot.com/video/6210712/

It picks up voice too?!?!

KEWL!-lol

[jfolds1]

yep does voice, but looks like for xbox360 only to start with

[jfolds1]

wows.. no dev comment?

i know some dev. is sitting there shouting out firing commands

[hendo001]

wows.. no dev comment?

i know some dev. is sitting there shouting out firing commands

lol ur prob right.

I used to have a sidewinder game voice, shame it broke :(

was awesome playing SFC and screaming into the mic n stuff.

Was a shame about KA though, i got to like disk 4 of KA and i was burning though the game, only to find that disk 5 was cracked n wouldnt play :(

so i never got to complete KA :(

[zeena07]

lol ur prob right.

I used to have a sidewinder game voice, shame it broke :(

was awesome playing SFC and screaming into the mic n stuff.

Was a shame about KA though, i got to like disk 4 of KA and i was burning though the game, only to find that disk 5 was cracked n wouldnt play :(

so i never got to complete KA :(

AWW!!!

Still tho, gotta look at the bright side..

See my sig! :D

[jfolds1]

People with voice capabilities, should get a guaranteed spot in the beta

we are testing out voice afterall




:D

[jhem99]

I speak standard galactic, others speak kilingon whatever. I don't want a spot in beta.:rolleyes:

[Zepath]

I would rather see Cryptic point to a couple of voice recognition applications and say, "Those work pretty good, knock yourself out" ... let those applications support themselves so Cryptic can focus on what matters here.

Every cent spent on the development of a game is justified and rationed .... I don't want to see anything rationed off to voice support when there's other companies out there that do it well, will support the software, and don't conflict or absorb development/support time for STO itself.

:cool:

[redbeard1682]

I'd like to see this happen - cool feature to have - but not a deal breaker. Maybe expansion pack idea?

[Devoras_Serenitus]

Voice commands? Im slightly sceptical. For those who saw Star Trek XI witnessed how Checkov strives to pronounce V, and gets W instead.

Captain: Engage Varp.
Computer: Erh.. Varp? Specify.

[jfolds1]

LOL that was such a funny scene

but, you have to train the software. like you set the keystroke you want then you record a phrase over the mic like twice. the computer listens to you say the phrase, then its locked in.

[Loekii]

actually.. i just ordered this

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3649459&CatId=1018


better grab it while it's hot, for that price its worth a try

How is that program working out for you?

[jfolds1]

Actually I haven't even tried it yet lol it's sitting here in the box next to me. Was gonna wait and try it on the beta haha I don't really have a pc game that i play at the moment, haven't played warcraft in a while.. and been waiting for battlefield 1943 to hit on the xbox360

i'll try to test it out this weekend though

[Loekii]

Here is a more current software Voice command system:

http://say2play.com/


It has a video demo of playing 'WOW:BC' using the Voice command system.

Thinking about it, I think this would be something worth while in STO for freeing up your hands for certain commands that do not constantly require imput -- ie:

Engage warp
Red Alert
Open Galactic Map
Special attacks or abilities on long Global cool downs, etc.


Might be worth looking at.

[imperialforce]

Here is a more current software Voice command system:

http://say2play.com/


It has a video demo of playing 'WOW:BC' using the Voice command system.

Thinking about it, I think this would be something worth while in STO for freeing up your hands for certain commands that do not constantly require imput -- ie:

Engage warp
Red Alert
Open Galactic Map
Special attacks or abilities on long Global cool downs, etc.


Might be worth looking at.

Danke, I have bookmarked that site for future download. Im going to install the 7 day free trial tomorrow and try it out on TF2 and ST:Armada 2, see how it pans out. It has universally positive reviews though, so I'm hopeful.

You would have to be careful about TOS violations if you decided to make macros with this software(for example: Say; "Evasive pattern Riker Alpha" and it changes your attitude, speed and shunts shields aft), but at the end of the day you can't fully automate any game with this software, and it looks to provide excellent functions for those with disability, those who desire extra immersion, and those of us who're just plain too lazy to remember keyboard shortcuts :D

I cant wait for the odd looks Im going to get after a long night of shouting "Red alert! All hands to battle stations! Full power to shields, load photon torpedos and fire!" etc etc :P

[Loekii]

Danke, I have bookmarked that site for future download. Im going to install the 7 day free trial tomorrow and try it out on TF2 and ST:Armada 2, see how it pans out. It has universally positive reviews though, so I'm hopeful.

You would have to be careful about TOS violations if you decided to make macros with this software(for example: Say; "Evasive pattern Riker Alpha" and it changes your attitude, speed and shunts shields aft), but at the end of the day you can't fully automate any game with this software, and it looks to provide excellent functions for those with disability, those who desire extra immersion, and those of us who're just plain too lazy to remember keyboard shortcuts :D

I cant wait for the odd looks Im going to get after a long night of shouting "Red alert! All hands to battle stations! Full power to shields, load photon torpedos and fire!" etc etc :P

Please report your review.

As for the TOS/EULA, I think this would be closer to an 'imput' device, much like a keyboard or mouse.

If the game limits the 'imput keying', then there should not be a problem, as this program can only 'imput' as fast as a keyboard could imput.

[Sobekeus]

As dodgy as voice recognition software is even now, I'll pass. Last thing I want is to have my 'Action Stations!' command turned into 'Energize!'.

[imperialforce]

Quick review: Awesome.

Started with TF2, and found as in the reviews listed on their site, it's usefulness in FPS games is limited. It does, however, make things much more fluid. I set up a custom map for each class I play regularly, for example on scout, I mapped each weapon to its name("bat", "shotty", "pistol"), and also mapped reloading, jump and fire. Using jump and fire under normal circumstances is a bit redundant, it's just as fast to use the keyboard, but it makes triple jumps when you have the Force'a'Nature a complete breeze, and it feels a lot easier just calling "reload" than reaching for R, especially as it means you can keep using Strafe Left while you do so.

7/10 only because FPS games just dont need it as much.

In Armada 2, I set up another custom map, mainly focused around building different things and unit selection and command. I was able to completely map out all unit special abilities. I cannot tell you how awesome that was. I could simply call out "build Sovereign" or "build Galaxy" and the relevant ship would begin rolling off the spacedock assembly line. In the middle of battles I could call out "pulsar" to fire the Akira special ability, or "corbomite shield" for Enterprise E's. In addition, instead of fannying about selecting things and scroll-clicking the minimap, I could just call "starbase" or "group 1" and I would instantly select that structure or building and centre my view on it. Im going to sit down tonight and expand my map and set up some macros as well(Im going to see if I cant set up colonising a planet, building an orbital miner and establishing defensive turrets to be totally automated at a single vocal command, muahaha).

10/10 because everything about the game was made easier. Micromanagement no longer felt like a chore.

As far as voice recognition goes, I didn't have a single issue. As long as you speak clearly and don't have an accent like Chekov where one letter becomes another, I can't forsee anyone have issues. It should be noted that I have a fairly heavy Scottish accent, and even in the thick of battle not one of my "reload" or weapon switch calls was misinterpreted.

Overall, 9.5/10, and only because there is always something wrong with a piece of software which I miss when I review them :P

[dyvimtorm]

Quick review: Awesome.

Started with TF2, and found as in the reviews listed on their site, it's usefulness in FPS games is limited. It does, however, make things much more fluid. I set up a custom map for each class I play regularly, for example on scout, I mapped each weapon to its name("bat", "shotty", "pistol"), and also mapped reloading, jump and fire. Using jump and fire under normal circumstances is a bit redundant, it's just as fast to use the keyboard, but it makes triple jumps when you have the Force'a'Nature a complete breeze, and it feels a lot easier just calling "reload" than reaching for R, especially as it means you can keep using Strafe Left while you do so.

7/10 only because FPS games just dont need it as much.

In Armada 2, I set up another custom map, mainly focused around building different things and unit selection and command. I was able to completely map out all unit special abilities. I cannot tell you how awesome that was. I could simply call out "build Sovereign" or "build Galaxy" and the relevant ship would begin rolling off the spacedock assembly line. In the middle of battles I could call out "pulsar" to fire the Akira special ability, or "corbomite shield" for Enterprise E's. In addition, instead of fannying about selecting things and scroll-clicking the minimap, I could just call "starbase" or "group 1" and I would instantly select that structure or building and centre my view on it. Im going to sit down tonight and expand my map and set up some macros as well(Im going to see if I cant set up colonising a planet, building an orbital miner and establishing defensive turrets to be totally automated at a single vocal command, muahaha).

10/10 because everything about the game was made easier. Micromanagement no longer felt like a chore.

As far as voice recognition goes, I didn't have a single issue. As long as you speak clearly and don't have an accent like Chekov where one letter becomes another, I can't forsee anyone have issues. It should be noted that I have a fairly heavy Scottish accent, and even in the thick of battle not one of my "reload" or weapon switch calls was misinterpreted.

Overall, 9.5/10, and only because there is always something wrong with a piece of software which I miss when I review them :P

If a third party voice recognition system can be consistent, I'll be using it in combat....way way way too much fun "target nearest enemy, decloak, fire disruptors" I'll leave maneuvering to my controller with keymapping to the motion sensing for pitch/yaw maneuvers! Sounds like a blast, especially if I hook up the computer to my 52" HD!!!! Woot!