Mac Gaming Mods

When I left the MAC gaming community a while ago one of the reasons was the relatively low amount of MAC users who used VOIP - voice comms - in game.

-- I had just been introduced to a game called 'Joint Operations' on the PC by some friends, and their use of 'Ventrilo' for voice comms had me totally converted to this way of playing tactical FPSs.

On the other hand, there seemed to be very few who used the GameRanger speech comms (maybe because you had to pay to use this facility, while VOIP on the PC was widely available and free.)

So where's VOIP on the Mac now?

How many of you use voice comms now?

I think most people use comms now since TeamSpeex is out now.

Ventrilo is suppose to have a Mac version out now but from what I've heard it isn't very good. TeamSpeex is the dominant program being used.

The main problem with the Mac client of Ventrilo is its codec. It is currently only compatible with the Speex codec, when almost all windows based servers use other ones. In order to talk on Ventrilo, or even hear what other people are saying the codec has to be changed by someone with access to the .ini file, which is just way more hassle than it's worth.

The client version of Teamspeex is using the Speex codec as well, it just so happens that most servers do use it, so all is good.

If the Vent servers are Speex codec based...they're great quality.

The hard part, as already said, is finding a server with the specific Codec.

Well if you're like SOG and have a spare PC, you can run the free version of the TeamSpeak server app and have instant access to VOIP through TeamSpeex on the Mac - even play cross-platform (ewww). We use it with AA, GhR and RvS all the time. No need to spend $50/yr. on Gameranger.

seriously, ts is the only thing most people use anymore, which has the added bonus of because its free, not only do you not have to pay, but you get to talk to people who havnt paid as well, whereass with GR, only premium can talk with premium, what a rip!

That's why people are leaving GameRanger, because Evill is a Nazi.

I've even heard some of his admins complaining about the program. I can't say who, obviously, but that says alot when the people he has chosen to help him manage his server complain....

I've even fallen to GameSpy, which says alot about GR. I only logon to chat, even if that.

Another turn-off of GR is that alot of the people who have been in it (including myself, ironically) have become very egotistical and arrogant of our 'high status'. (Ooo lookit me...I have a lower account number than you............so what?!). People like Kami, tong and many others (some are worse) think they're better than even Evill.

When a gaming service that was world-reknown for it's expansion into the Mac world, plumits into the dark pit of chat wars rather than in-game wars....you know it's time to leave.