Mic-less comrades in Left 4 Dead full game what would you do?

[TWE SHELLSHOCKR]

I can't even attempt to play versus mode at all due to the randoms don't even have mics or don't talk at all and it ends up being a total disaster? LOOK XBL PLAYERS HALO and GEARS Stragedies DON"T WORK!!! this is a HIGHLY TACTICAL game! What would you do in mutiple situations of the micless? BOOT OR STAY

[LSDwolf]

If it were Campaign I'd say ride it out. But since it's versus, I'd say boot em.

[BoneCrusherXD]

BOOT THE MIC-LESS! :P

Seriously though i've yet to get the full game but i'd boot mic-less.

[Kitano]

Highly tactical? You're joking right? I don't use a mic, never needed one L4D is so simple its completely unnessecery. Find better players and you wont need a mic as the game communicates all the information you need through sound and visual clues.

[Halfeatendonkey]

Highly tactical? You're joking right? I don't use a mic, never needed one L4D is so simple its completely unnessecery. Find better players and you wont need a mic as the game communicates all the information you need through sound and visual clues.


What he said. This aint no mega-ultra hard strategic game. This is an FPS shooter that surely needs some communication, which they've already put into the game.

I don't have a mic, but yet somehow i manage to survive better than most of those who does use a mic. I also manage to save more, help out and be "Highly Tactical" even though i don't use my mic. Although, i wish i would use it but there's something with me being swedish and talking english over the game that i don't like...I feel like i sound stupid when i do.

But i rarely play with random people online as most of my friends already got a copy of it. And even if we play etc versus and its only me and 1 friend, i usually use my mic but i then talk swedish.

[TWE SHELLSHOCKR]

Highly tactical? You're joking right? I don't use a mic, never needed one L4D is so simple its completely unnessecery. Find better players and you wont need a mic as the game communicates all the information you need through sound and visual clues

THEN WITHOUT A MIC It's just like a Smarter BOT! and plus you can't live without the Humorous unexpected lines from other ppl... and it is REALLY TACTICAL if you KNOW HOW TO SHOOT and i will stress that alot

[Halfeatendonkey]

THEN WITHOUT A MIC It's just like a Smarter BOT! and plus you can't live without the Humorous unexpected lines from other ppl... and it is REALLY TACTICAL if you KNOW HOW TO SHOOT and i will stress that alot


SO WHAT ARE you guys who USE A MIC THEN ? TALKING BOTS or what ? I MEAN LIKE what more can you be than a SMARTER BOT SKILLWISE ?

ALSO YOUR SAYING THAT its really tactical if you KNOW HOW TO SHOOT ? I don't really UNDERSTAND.

[Agent Hero]

The grammar errors are killing me. Take an English class.

[Kitano]

Bots are trying to emulate human behaviour, so yes people are a bit like smarter bots, im not sure what that has to do with using a mic though.

The limited tactics in L4D revolve around co-op play (staying together, sharing med packs etc) and not your ability to aim. Nothing requires me to use a mic, I can still communicate using the command rose, and using sound and visual cues I can know whats happing to my teammates at any point. If you where talking about a game like Insurgency or Red Orchestra then you might have a point as those game require good communication and co-ordination that can't be done wothout a mic, L4D doesn't.

[eRik]

OP, I have the perfect solution for your problem. Go find 3 other people that are just as interested in playing decent games as you are. Then sign your 'team' up at GameBattles.com or an alternative website and play against other 'teams' that are either competitive gamers or also people that are just looking to play some decent games. I did so with Halo 3 and those matches were some of the best I've played on that game. (This has nothing to do with being a competitive gamer, think of it being a website where you meet other people that don't like to play with random people that most likely suck...)

BTW, I boot people that don't have a headset instantly.

[Spyder638]

OP is a fag. Don't put people down because they don't have a mic, don't kick them because they don't have one either.

[Shroom]

ive yet to play a versus match where anyone was using mics on my team, except me occasionally, co-op its preety much every game that people are using the voip

its quite annoying because the games played without mics could have been alot better executed over voip

[NinjaPanda]

OP is a fag. Don't put people down because they don't have a mic, don't kick them because they don't have one either.


Now I'm not going to disagree with the OP sounding like a fag, but I will kick people who do not have mics for one simple reason. I hate having to play through a game like this without laughing or making up "plans" which always fail hilariously, as it changes into a completely different experience.

Left 4 Dead = A lot funner/funnier if people have mics.

[JohnnyBoy]

I rarely hear people using their mics when playing as the infected, there's just no interest in coordinating attacks. You just get used to the map and its choke points, and take your opportunity for attack when all hell has broken loose.

[redjacketman14]

It isn't highly tactical but itd be nice to be able to tell others to turn thier lights off when you can hear the witch sobing.

[Rorxiss]

I only boot mic-less if they suck and we can't tell them that. this means a kick-vote, but it normally goes through, unless I am in a game with a bunch of rambos, in which case I simply leave.

Unless they are being super fucktards in which case I take the time to drop them all with shotgun blasts to the face before jumping off the nearest cliff.

EDIT: Spelling fix.

[EClaris]

Your acting like micless are "just smarter bots." Well if that's the case then why boot them? Your not making your game any better just ruining theirs. There's a complete difference between someon who is micless and dumb, and goes off ruining it for everyone else (By all means kick them, but just to be sure send a message asking if they're having trouble hearing and if they've adjusted audio settings just to make sure) But a perfectly good micless player? That's too harsh. Yes L4D is more fun with mics but one person not being able to talk isn't going to ruin your game so chill out. It's like having a mic gives you an excuse to do stupid things, I mean we've all made mistakes while playing but the double standard is ridiculous.
"Man, what was that for?"
"Aw sorry bruss my bad lolol."
Naw man it's alright. lolol"
*Loling continues*


"Man, what was that for?"
*no answer*
"What a dick " *boot*


See my point? So if they're being an asshat boot 'em, doesn't make a difference is they're micless or not. But keeping someone who can't talk won't be detrimental to your game at all, so by booting them your just ruining their fun completely by not even letting them play.
Besides we've played the demo together and I doubt me being there with you made it less fun despite my inability to comment

[SelkN]

OP is a fag. Don't put people down because they don't have a mic, don't kick them because they don't have one either.

Spyder, OP is just venting about the frustrating experience he's had. Why would YOU put him down for venting/expressing his discontent?

PC gamers seem to have taken over this thread which is sad :P. I've seen OP around on XBL (so whats up?) and there are a TON of people who do not have mics. Its just a generalization that people w/o mics aren't very good, because frankly, a lot of them aren't. I've only run into a handful of people on XBL that actually know how to play the game, and most of them have mics.

This becomes incredibly frusterating because you can't really co-ordinate anything with them because A) they don't respond B) the audio from everyone else's mic comes through the headset, and if they don't have a mic its probably a good assumption that they don't have the headset. So that means that your voice is just coming through their TV speakers and that is incredibly hard to (clearly) hear and understand.

Also, us XBL users don't have the command wheel, we can only click the left stick which is basically a "point of interest" button. We can not issue commands like "move out" "lets go" "you take the lead" as easily as PC users. So having a mic makes communicating that much easier.

[eRik]

Spyder, OP is just venting about the frustrating experience he's had. Why would YOU put him down for venting/expressing his discontent?

PC gamers seem to have taken over this thread which is sad :P. I've seen OP around on XBL (so whats up?) and there are a TON of people who do not have mics. Its just a generalization that people w/o mics aren't very good, because frankly, a lot of them aren't. I've only run into a handful of people on XBL that actually know how to play the game, and most of them have mics.

This becomes incredibly frusterating because you can't really co-ordinate anything with them because A) they don't respond B) the audio from everyone else's mic comes through the headset, and if they don't have a mic its probably a good assumption that they don't have the headset. So that means that your voice is just coming through their TV speakers and that is incredibly hard to (clearly) hear and understand.

Also, us XBL users don't have the command wheel, we can only click the left stick which is basically a "point of interest" button. We can not issue commands like "move out" "lets go" "you take the lead" as easily as PC users. So having a mic makes communicating that much easier.


You hit the nail on the head, I couldn't have said it any better. ;)

[Funky Biscuits]

I don't use Mic I play split screen which is 4x Better

[MillsLayne]

Anytime I'm playing online and end up in a game where no one has mics, I just back out until I find a game with people that have mics and use them. The game is way better and more fun that way.

[redjacketman14]

Its still cooler to have a mic, but it isn't nessessary.

[Bizarro]

I don't have a mic but I'm not a total dumbass that goes off on his own. You don't need to talk because it's self explantory. As long as you're not stupid you'll live.

[Harrison]

This is what vote kicking is for.

I'm fine if you don't have a mic but can still hear us. But...

Earlier today, me and other guy were playing on Expert. Some dude joins, he's micless. He seems to be doing pretty good, not running off, etc, so we let him stay.

Horde comes. I end up getting mauled, and go down. The first guy I was playing with comes and helps me up. The guy who joined still has ~80 health, a med kit, and some pills. I ask for the pills. He walks away. I ask again. He walks away.

He was vote kicked. The bot gave me the pills instantly.

Not only do mics allow you to communicate, but they also let you LISTEN. If you can't listen, you are useless.

[Cheeseliker]

THEN WITHOUT A MIC It's just like a Smarter BOT! and plus you can't live without the Humorous unexpected lines from other ppl... and it is REALLY TACTICAL if you KNOW HOW TO SHOOT and i will stress that alot


SO WHAT ARE you guys who USE A MIC THEN ? TALKING BOTS or what ? I MEAN LIKE what more can you be than a SMARTER BOT SKILLWISE ?

ALSO YOUR SAYING THAT its really tactical if you KNOW HOW TO SHOOT ? I don't really UNDERSTAND.



Hilarious. I didn't understand why some words were randomly capitalized either.

[scr280]

A mic always helps but isn't necessary what annoys me are people who have mics but dont talk anyway

[MP_Specter]

Um. Gears 2 is more tactical than this dude. You are pretty much giving enough visual clues to tell you. Example

*Hunter pounces on dude*
Dude: OH MY GOD. A HUNTER GOT ME! HELP ME

Really, no shit sherlock.

*Tank footsteps.*
Dude: TANNNNKKK!

No. I thought the screen shaking was just a fault in the design.
I have a mic, but it doesn't bother me with people who don't.

[Llyr]

I have a mic but don't use it most of the time.
Reason being is that people usually call me or
someone in my family is talking to me and I doubt
anyone online is interested in hearing the conversation.

[Whonii]

Still micless are very hard to be with. one time i was on a team of micless and i got snagged by a smoker and they all had their backs turned. They didnt hear my character scheeching and i died.From now on i try to stay away from micless.

[l4dfan]

Still micless are very hard to be with. one time i was on a team of micless and i got snagged by a smoker and they all had their backs turned. They didnt hear my character scheeching and i died.From now on i try to stay away from micless.

that's because they were retarded, not because they had no mics. i generally get smokers and hunters off teammates before any of them can say anything.

[mazouth]

I end up in a micless team half the time in versus.

It does not take long to see if the team worth the play, micless or not. But I agree that's it's way more funny to play with good players that have mics.

As long as the team listen, it's ok.
When I'm the only one with mic, I try to 'brief' as much as I can. I never order, I advice, as we need to all agree as a team.

I think sometime micless don't realise we are talking to them, so I call them by their name, if it's readable -I don't really like the full special character name thing-

[SelkN]

You don't need to talk because it's self explantory. As long as you're not stupid you'll live.

The average XBL user may not be as "smart" as you are Bizarro, so most of these things are not as self-explanatory to them.

[yacoub]

I've found it's definitely not a big deal if a teammate doesn't have a mic so long as they're not trying to lead the team.

[Xaos Falcon]

I like it when they have mics, I think it makes the game more fun. It's not a requirement, but it definitely makes the game both more tactical, more fun, and, perhaps more important, hilarious when the one 'tough-guy' who's trying to lead the team sees the tank or disturbs the witch and screams like a little girl.

[Bl00dSh0t]

Well micless are a problem i really dont understand i mean when you buy a xobx360 it comes with a mic and if your stupid and careless enough to break it then you obviously dont deserve one. But lets say one of them finds pill/bomb/molotov, the can always press the Left Thumbstick...and if they are to lazy to do that, yes horrible partner and one to stay away from.

[mazouth]

Sorry didn't really noticed it was for Xbox 360, so yeah it must be painful, I remember Dre saying non-mic users don't hear (well) their team mates voices through the TV speakers.
If it can't be tweaked out, it's painful.

[Lukeydoodly]

KICKED.

[munkeypants]

lol, valve games on consoles

[BenKenobi88]

Well, it was a rather hectic finale on No Mercy in VS. mode, and one guy didn't have a mic. He got pounced by a hunter, the other 3 of us had just been puked on, and he typed "help me."

Yeah, because after finally being able to see, while still meleeing zombies and shooting away another hunter, I'm going to notice "help me." on the bottom left.

I said over the mic "sorry man, I'm on my way," but he died before I could get there and ragequit.

Seriously, you can't expect your teammates to rush to help you in a bad spot if you're not talking on the mic.

[TheNerevarine]

Simple solution:

Click "PLAY VERSUS"
Click "Xbox LIVE Custom Match"
Click "Find a Game Lobby"
Say into mic: "Hey host, can you please boot the people with no mics so we can have a fun game instead of the usual nonsense?"

One guy I know typically just hosts the match himself and forces you to respond to him (not just have a mic plugged in) to play in the match. He explains to everyone that the teams need to be communicative to be fair and balanced and it works. I played with him earlier and we dominated two rage-quitting teams but eventually found a team that was willing to take the punishment through to the finale (although we did give them many mercy kills and let them reach the safe house for confidence, so maybe that had something to do with it...) Maybe it's not always the most fun option to obliterate the newbs.

Repeat until you find good teammates who agree and add them as friends so you can be sure to try to play with them in the future.

If you're in the middle of a game and something goes wrong like your teammates leave and new micless people arrive call a vote to return to the lobby at the start of a chapter, get your team to help vote yes, or send a message to someone on the other team by hitting Back and using the Xbox guide. If no one cares about your plight find a new match and shrug it off.

That said, I've played with a few people who are highly effective without mics. I usually always have a firm grasp of my surroundings and teammates and rarely need to be told you're pinned or constricted -- trust me I knew before that hunter pounced you that he was coming, in fact I probably set you up to take the pounce so I could shoot it off quickly instead of it landing on me and you taking 5 seconds to figure out WTF is going on; likewise, they'll respond if I speak because they can still hear me. It is hit-or-miss though, some of them just straight out suck, but I find if you assert your leadership over these mic-less fools you can often lead complete morons to safety. Heal them or save their ass a few times and you'll gain their confidence real quick. Call out when they're making mistakes, let them know if they're not following they get left to die and have fun trying to get as far as you can alone or with whomever is left...

There are plenty of mic-enabled people who sit silent when they get pinned awaiting their savior or just rant obnoxiously about how "we need to run to the exit follow me! let's go!" With or without the mic, these people are trouble that no amount of coaching can fix. They should be booted for their ways, or left to die... just make sure you're moving with the majority, no matter how slow they move.

I guess just pretend you're stuck in a zombie world with three complete morons if that's the case.. be extra cautious? They may be dumb as bricks, but they're useful to keep around.

[Unluckymonk]

it aint highly tactical but it helps to ask people to set up and attack at once and when they dont do it scream profanities a them

[Silver Bullet]

My mic broke and I just never got a chance to replace it. But to be honest I don't really play versus that much anymore cause people get angry at that.

To be fair though, in all campaigns I play I try to use chat as much as possible and I've macro'd all my voice commands like cover me, room clear, help, thanks, all that jazz and use it frequently. Usually people listen and we have no problems. Every now and then tho I come across the occasional player who wont read what I write or listen to any voice commands. THAT'S frustrating... lol

[Steve Cloud]

Kicking someone just because they lack a microphone is absolutely ridiculous and I think if you do it, you should be kicked yourself for being such an arrogant twat in thinking they can't just type their answers or use the voice-commands.

[Stevo]

Still micless are very hard to be with. one time i was on a team of micless and i got snagged by a smoker and they all had their backs turned. They didnt hear my character scheeching and i died.From now on i try to stay away from micless.

Yeah, really? Vecause of no mic they could not HEAR you? I just loled. I play without mic and I am ever the first one who rescue my mates because I listen to the game.

[TheNerevarine]

Steve Cloud, welcome to the XBOX FORUM. I just signed up tonight and I've already gotten that much sorted out. ;)

On XBOX there is no CHAT which mean ZERO communication which means BOOT.

[Steve Cloud]

Oh, so I am. I guess I missed that tiny icon next to the thread's name, which I almost always check before I click a thread, this time.

Regardless, are there no voice commands on XB360? If not, you're still a twat, a good player will still be able to hear you and try to follow what the other players are doing. If they're bad, its either because they can't hear you or they deserve to be kicked anyway. Don't kick a good player because they can't talk back.

[TheNerevarine]

I'm a twat? You're the fat guy with a chin strap.

You clearly didn't read my post and you should go back and read it. Furthermore, if you don't know anything about the game maybe you shouldn't pass judgement on the people who play it and their habitual actions. Voice commands? WTF is that when you point at a pipe bomb and click the left stick? That shit is useless when you need help or there's action.

Get a mic or go play with the kids in the Easy lobby because there's no way you can coordinate otherwise. If you met me in real life during a zombie invasion and you refused to talk to me and the rest of the group you better believe your antisocial ass would be left for dead. It's $5 for a mic, if you can't afford it you're a total loser and should get a job instead of playing games. If you don't want to wear it then you should go play Halo where it doesn't matter.

If you're the type of person representing this board then this certainly isn't going to be a good place to find teammates.

[Viracocha72]

lol, valve games on consoles
lol a PC queer in the 360 section.

B.O.T.: I can't stand playing with people who don't have mics, half the fun of this game is being able to talk to the people your playing with.
Can't count the number of times some mic-less asshat is standing 2 feet from me getting choked out doing nothing about it because he can't hear me saying "hey dumphuck turn around and melee me"

[Deek]

Find better players and you wont need a mic as the game communicates all the information you need through sound and visual clues.
Bullshit. Mic is mandatory in versus if you hope to be competitive against a capable, co-ordinated team. One dude out of four with no mic is doable. Any more than that and shit starts to come apart at the seams. I won't kick a guy with no mic, but he'd better be one hella good listener and type like the fucking wind. I'm talking versus here, not co-op.

Play against a higher caliber of opponent and you'll realize just how important instantaneous vocal communication actually is. A mic-less team versus a group in contact is gonna get dismantled, more often than not.

... mind you, I'm not looking to step on anyone's dick here. We all have our own opinions; this simply happens to be mine. If you prefer to play w/o a mic, more power to ya. I'll be the guy tearing your head off and laughing about it with my friends. VIA MICROPHONE.

[Steve Cloud]

Whoa whoa whoa, hold up with the ad hominems there, Nere. All I was trying to do was defend the people who don't have the good fortune to have a working mic (or voicebox), regardless of my status as a PC player.

I'm sorry I got you all riled up, I just assumed the Xbox version would have voice commands for things like "yes", "no" and "are you ready?" like in PC. I agree with you now, since theres no voice commands, you can't communicate, and therefore the game is much harder for the micless player and consequently, the other players, on advanced or higher.

I don't agree with your ideas of ditching someone, who could quite possibly be mute for all you know, when the apocolypse rolls around, though.

[Ayrehead]

I am mic'less
mic recently broke and I cant afford to buy a new one.....

seems like a bit of an overreation?

[TheNerevarine]

Fair enough, it's settled then, I'm not a twat and you're not a twat. Good stuff.

After I typed this I went and played a campaign on Expert. One guy quit after a few failed attempts at the finale so we waited for a new guy and got one. He was mute for like 5 or 6 attempts, making no communication whatsoever and things were a mess... then suddenly he started talking, we got coordinated, and within two more tries we got on the boat and sailed to safety.

Still need to do No Mercy and Dead Air on Expert if there are any takers. Hopefully you have mics...

[Bl00dSh0t]

Agreed if you get snared or pounced and you dont have a mic and have been living off of the tumbstick its over unless they see you.

[XViper1534]

I just have to ask. When I read what people are saying, a lot of them seem to be referring to the PC version, and this is the 360 forum. Or am I just reading wrong?

[iKissedABoomer]

Leave.

[XViper1534]

I don't think that I should leave, I have a 360, and I am in the 360 section, so maybe the PC players should go to the PC section instead of assuming that the games are "EXACTLY" the same and should stop annoying the players that are in the right place.

[Deek]

I just have to ask. When I read what people are saying, a lot of them seem to be referring to the PC version, and this is the 360 forum. Or am I just reading wrong?
Having a mic is equally beneficial, regardless of the platform. So, in this case, what's the difference? This is actual, genuine common ground we're discussing, and there's absolutely no reason to turn this into yet another PC vs console pissing contest. So put your dick away and contribute something meaningful to the thread, or GTFO.

[theluckyshot]

what if your a mute like me am I not entitled to play this game just because I can't talk at all or into the mic for that matter? I'll admit that being able to hear what people say is useful but not necessary so you do not have to automatically boot them. If they're disruptive or are horrible players than thats a different story. Luckely for me I have friends who know me personally so that I don't have to take this crap from ignorent people. That being said I do use my mic so I can listen to the things my teamates ask of me or suggest also I am not a bad player so it's unfair when I get booted just because I can't talk back.

[Blackmist]

Bots are better than mic-less newfags. They see and kill specials way better than any human could. Also, the game is about co-operation, co-ordination, and communication.

[trancemode]

that is why u don't play in xbox . aLATEE.

[Von Beck]

just boot them honestly people with no mics are useless all together. and there should be an option for play with people with mics (doubt thats possible but it should be there). but even when teammates have mics they still might suck.... ALOT! like today playing versus. my friend gets grabed by a smoker right next to a guy and the guy just stands there shooting random infected then I fianlly save my friend and a hunter pounces me. well the one guy was helping up my friend so retard came to save me. he hit the hunter then tried to revive me.... but the hunter was still alive so he pounced me again. so he hit it and that happened about 4 times until I finally put 3 shots into the hunters head while I was down while it pounced at me. honestly why does everyone feel the need to beat down every hunter they see. I mean I do sometimes if I don't want to shoot team mates or if he's the only one around but they do it while there is a massive battle or will hit them once thinking k we are good. NO! shoot it in the face! when it says you killed the hunter then try to help someone never fucking assum your good!.... I hate people sometimes

[Nemesis_vs_Leon]

Those people are interesting in campaign mode, they never do truly stupid things, help you out in when they obviously should, and they just seem to be running around finding their way along.

It's like having a dog in l4d :P

I say boot them in serious matches, but in such a match you MUST HAVE 3 FRIENDS planned to be there and the booting only happens if someone who isn't a friend joins (whether they have a mic or not).

If you're just playing, don't boot them for being micless.

[justkat]

How about this situation?
My friend and I play Left 4 Dead together, with only one mic. Sometimes we get put on opposite teams...his team thinks he doesn't have a mic, and my team knows I have a mic. He gets booted from the game (which consequently boots me as well). We try again and the same thing happens. We decide to play off-line campaign instead.

I agree with Nemesis_vs_Leon: Booting people just because they don't have a mic is stupid if you're playing for fun. Don't ruin the game for someone else because you think you need to come up with a plan. That micless person wants to enjoy their game as well; don't be self-centered and, as long as they're not doing stupid stuff, let them have fun too.

[Grieverlionhart]

I never mind mic-less people as long as people aren't dipshits and don't know why your clicking on the vocalise button yelling PAIN PILLS, there's alot of people who ramble on about unrelated shit in the game and pass your mum jokes. I prefer either playing the game in the same room as my mates on system link than a mic anyday

[Mattbott]

Now I'm not going to disagree with the OP sounding like a fag, but I will kick people who do not have mics for one simple reason. I hate having to play through a game like this without laughing or making up "plans" which always fail hilariously, as it changes into a completely different experience.

Left 4 Dead = A lot funner/funnier if people have mics.


^ what he said ^

show them the boot, they'll understand

[Kai Ronin]

The whole mic issue is stupid. Most of the bad games I've played were with people with mics.

I used to get booted a lot because my mic wasn't hooked up. I didn't hook it up because the losers begging "Are you going to talk?" didn't want to talk about the game but irrelevant bullshit. And if they didn't just want to shoot the breeze, they wanted to be Super Team Commander so they could bark orders, talk shit and boot people.

When I started using my mic, I saw no huge difference in the quality of the games I played. Cause it all matters on the player. Even if you have a mic to talk strategy there's no guarantee people are going to agree with you. And if you're pounced or constricted, if no one sees you they should still hear your character. There's even music that plays for teammates in trouble! A good player will spot a player in trouble, easy.

Mics don't matter. Good players do. Like Luckyshot said, what if a player was mute in real life? Or what if an excellent player just broke his mic or didn't plug it in all the way? Booting mic-less players is so elitists and ass-backwards it's almost as bad as shooting a player in-game because he didn't do something you liked. Give people are break.

[TheNerevarine]

Kai... yes and no. You have a valid point but I don't know that it's the final word on the matter.

I've been playing this game like crack for weeks and I've come to my own conclusion on this. All in all, I'd say the microphone greatly enhances this game when you look at all possible scenarios, regardless of whether or not it's technically necessary... and I'm one of those people who just wants to play anonymously for recreation.

If you don't have a mic that's fine, but you need to *play like you don't have a mic* or your presence will be intolerable.

- If you take point and run 100 feet ahead all the time without a mic then you're going to die and get booted.

- If you sit idle in the safe room because you went to take a piss without telling anyone you're going to get booted (send an Xbox Live text message).

- If you try to be a hero and go chase the hunter/smoker down the hall without telling anyone and get incap'ed too far away, you're going to get booted.

- If you accidentally shoot your teammate into incap and don't have a away to apologize (help him up and heal him, perhaps) you're going to get booted.

- If someone WITH a mic is making a reasonable request of you and you opt to ignore them then that's a strike (not a boot, but if you're consistently playing lone-wolf then you're playing the wrong game all together).

These things seem reasonable to me. And all of these mistakes could be alleviated with a simple "hey guys, I made a mistake, sorry. help me out?" but without a mic we're left with "."

Also, if everyone agrees you should be booted it's hard to argue... they want to play with people who talk/work together/whatever. That's their idea of fun and you have yours, it may not simply be because they want to win. Find a different match.

[iKissedABoomer]

Mics matter.

/thread

[Scok]

If they don't have a mic, I won't boot them and I'll just shrug it off. I don't like it however, when people have a mic but never talk.

I've also played with a guy who doesn't have a mic but he types and communicates more than most people with mics.

[SkullsN Crossd wires]

idk...boot them if u want

[Rekano]

Im new to these boards, so maybe this may not be the absolute best place to start off.

When I join random games, I do not have a mic plugged in, hell half the time I got Winamp blaring in my ears. However, when playing with people I do not know, I let them lead the way. For the sole fact I don't know how they play yet, people play differently. I do my absolute best on the survivor side to defend them from anything that the AI director or the human player Infected throw at us (unless its a Tank Punched car....I really, don't think I can help you there). While on infected I try to play roles for Hunter, Smoker, Boomer, and/or Tank revolving COMPLETELY on my team(I will leap about the survivors if a boomer is near them if a hunter to cause a ruckus and shake um up for example) Trust me, the Xbox version has auto-pilot on voice commands(plus a captions feature that allows you to read that there is shit nearby). Even if you can't hear the audio cue for the witch, you'll see flashlights go off usually at the first note.

If you want to know why folks don't plug their mics in, its quite simple. Its Xbox Live. Thats really all I should have to say, but after YEARS of random kids screaming in your ear, people calling you every name in the book for simple mistakes that cost them victory(some of which being completely unwinnable to begin with), and of course the "add insult to injury" folks from Halo. That mentality really makes people think twice before they plug that mic in. Seriously. A good player can easily be a solid teammate, reguardless of mic, those folks will have your back, just make sure you repay the favor if he/she gets in a jam.

Theres a huge difference in silent rambos and silent team players.

[Cuantom]

I'd stay. For one, if your on the 360 version, click down the left thumb stick and your character will say the name the closest teammate. Then when they are looking at you, point the way with your gun, or walk that way.

[Nemesis_vs_Leon]

I'd stay. For one, if your on the 360 version, click down the left thumb stick and your character will say the name the closest teammate. Then when they are looking at you, point the way with your gun, or walk that way.
that's a feature not many people use.

[mirelurk]

I'd boot, having a mic is a mandatory part of l4d

[Cuantom]

Having a mic is not mandatory at all.

[one of them]

When we are micless, I type.
+1 PC

[Braniac]

Power to the mic-less, because they use less greenhouse gases powering their mic and will eventually be the only ones left living.

[Plankie]

Why boot 'em? I never use mic when playing publics, still I can do well. If everybody knows what they're doing you don't need to talk.
Only people who *think* they are good need to talk.
Of course, sometimes you need to talk to the idiots who don't know how to play, but that has nothing to do with the matter. The only time you need a mic is when you need to tell a noob what to do or when you just want to have enjoy a conversation.

[Cuantom]

Why boot 'em? I never use mic when playing publics, still I can do well. If everybody knows what they're doing you don't need to talk.
Only people who *think* they are good need to talk.
Of course, sometimes you need to talk to the idiots who don't know how to play, but that has nothing to do with the matter. The only time you need a mic is when you need to tell a noob what to do or when you just want to have enjoy a conversation.

That's true. Or a better way is to change your settings from Mic to speaker so you can hear them. But you can't respond. That way if your jacking off while playing they can catch your attention.

[Hiv420]

Highly tactical? You're joking right? I don't use a mic, never needed one L4D is so simple its completely unnessecery. Find better players and you wont need a mic as the game communicates all the information you need through sound and visual clues.



i agree with this guy, i just listen for the sounds when ppl get pounded on, and most never notice.

[Jaybo99]

okay a mic is definitely not needed for this game, only sound.

it is EXTREMELY easy to tell when a teamate is pounced or pulled without them yelling shit at you for taking too long to help them up. often i don't use my mic when playing with smart people (at least not when im pulled our pounced) because they will know enough to turn around and save me and not be a dumbshit and run away from louis crying GET IT OFF ME at the top of his lungs.

I am friggen pissed at people, however, who dont turn around even if i use my mic. its like hey man this massive horde of one zombie in front of me is more important than the 5 extra hits that hunter got on you while i maylaid this s00per dangeruz normul infectid right cheer!

so my message: PAY THE FUCK ATTENTION AND TURN YOUR SOUND ON. mic is not needed but is nice to have.

[Halfeatendonkey]

So ive started to use my mic most of the time now. And ever since i started using it, i realised how few people actully do use it.

But im not kicking anyone who don't use it because i don't see this game like that much of a "sport" that i just have to win all the time. Which i see too many does.

But it would be nice to play with some of you guys and see how good you actully play.

[Grieverlionhart]

Stay, they can hear me on their tv yelling stuff and nothings really more annoying than survivor AI plus in vs you literally take no damage and on the infected team you can all see each other anyway and no matter what hunters will hump whatever the smoker nabs. . . . ¬¬

[Degustipated]

I really don't care to read the posts before this, but I would continue playing because over 90% of the games I join less than 2 people have mics, and usually the people who do have mics are usually either shy or forget to use the mic so it's like they are mic-less to begin with.

I don't have a mic but it doesn't seem to interfere with my rescuing and protecting abilities as much as it effects my survival and longevity. Honestly, there have been times when I am right behind someone and I'm being strangled or ripped apart and I just don't feel like typing "xxx, behind you," or "help!" That is on my part I understand but I guess I assume everyone shares a temporary single-purpose camaraderie based on survival.

I constantly check the other survivor's health, position, and items and adjust myself accordingly. If someone runs off like a retard and the other two don't follow I take responsibility and follow their dumb ass, making sure they live. If someone is pounced while another is being strangled I make split second decisions and determine who is in more peril. I assume the other person is either distracted or down so I make my move slowly but surely to the victims. If someone is below 50% health and I have some pills and my own health is above 70% and I have a med-kit, you better believe I'm passing my comrade those pills. If someone just got incapacitated and they don't have pills and I do, same deal. And if someone is running off of pure pill power I tend to keep on eye on them more simply because they have temporary health.

But that's just me.

[mirelurk]

How can anyone honestly say a mic is not mandatory? If one player doesnt have a mic or just doesnt have it plugged in, they can fuck up the rest of the team by not being able to hear the teams plan in a finale, whos got what guns,etc.I just dont understand how having a mic "isn't mandatory.

[EClaris]

How can anyone honestly say a mic is not mandatory? If one player doesnt have a mic or just doesnt have it plugged in, they can fuck up the rest of the team by not being able to hear the teams plan in a finale, whos got what guns,etc.I just dont understand how having a mic "isn't mandatory.
Because they arent, I've played plenty games being micless, assuming they cant hear you and they'll "fuck up" your plan is childish. If they're a halfway decent they'll stick with the group and not be dumb, even if they cant hear you this is a recipe for win. and finales "plans" are barely that, it's almost always where to hold out.

[Jesus123]

Because they arent, I've played plenty games being micless, assuming they cant hear you and they'll "fuck up" your plan is childish. If they're a halfway decent they'll stick with the group and not be dumb, even if they cant hear you this is a recipe for win. and finales "plans" are barely that, it's almost always where to hold out.
I could agree with you but then I would be helping in the start of a flame war lol

[EClaris]

I could agree with you but then I would be helping in the start of a flame war lol

it's the thought that counts

[Jesus123]

it's the thought that counts
I agree lol

[mirelurk]

Because they arent, I've played plenty games being micless, assuming they cant hear you and they'll "fuck up" your plan is childish. If they're a halfway decent they'll stick with the group and not be dumb, even if they cant hear you this is a recipe for win. and finales "plans" are barely that, it's almost always where to hold out.
You would have to agree that having four players with mics is makes the game alot more frustrating than having 1-2 or mic-less people

[Eskimo_Hotsauce]

Look, if they are good players, keep them. If they are bad, boot them.

[LiveCanon]

ill put my 02 in here..

Mics are a must for a good team. first of all if i notice that someone is blocking the elevator (no points on their name) then im going to go look for an o2 tank, i cant just wonder off and look for one without letting my teammates know. another one is if someone used their healthpack and you know where one is, i gotta tell them that one is there. too many times have there been healthpacks unused because someone didnt have their mic. same goes for pipe bombs, pills and molotovs. sometimes some one gets pulled back as a smoker and you dont hear the sound, mics are good there. sometimes i dont hear the witch or tank music on my xbox, mic has saved me there. when you just get boomered on and someone gets pounced you cant see the hunter, it doesnt show the red, theres another use for the mic. you can be good without a mic but honestly having a mic makes it so much easier to work with a team.

[mirelurk]

Mics are a must for a good team. first of all if i notice that someone is blocking the elevator (no points on their name) then im going to go look for an o2 tank, i cant just wonder off and look for one without letting my teammates know. another one is if someone used their healthpack and you know where one is, i gotta tell them that one is there. too many times have there been healthpacks unused because someone didnt have their mic. same goes for pipe bombs, pills and molotovs. sometimes some one gets pulled back as a smoker and you dont hear the sound, mics are good there. sometimes i dont hear the witch or tank music on my xbox, mic has saved me there. when you just get boomered on and someone gets pounced you cant see the hunter, it doesnt show the red, theres another use for the mic. you can be good without a mic but honestly having a mic makes it so much easier to work with a team.
exactly

[drewbian]

campaigns even worse when people dont have their mics but yeh if theyr shit its just too annoying, they always seem to be the ones that run off as well

[Plankie]

I told you, a team of people who know what they are doing do not need mics. Of course, if you wanna beat ass 110% you need mics. but for 100% you don't need mics. Most of the people you guys are talking about are just noobs and having mics will not make them better. They're still idiots.

Of course, it's a lot more fun to have mics. But that's a different story! When I play with a team of friends I always use mic, it's simply more fun. But I don't *need* it.

Just:
Look, if they are good players, keep them. If they are bad, boot them.

[Bl00dSh0t]

Bots are better than mic-less newfags. They see and kill specials way better than any human could.
Ya like in blood harvest in the woods thay have some invisable Rainbow Six Veags thermal goggles and they can sall EVERYTHING. thats y it is almoust impossible to win as a infected when you and a buddy are playing split screen.

[Govs]

Your acting like micless are "just smarter bots." Well if that's the case then why boot them? Your not making your game any better just ruining theirs. There's a complete difference between someon who is micless and dumb, and goes off ruining it for everyone else (By all means kick them, but just to be sure send a message asking if they're having trouble hearing and if they've adjusted audio settings just to make sure) But a perfectly good micless player? That's too harsh. Yes L4D is more fun with mics but one person not being able to talk isn't going to ruin your game so chill out. It's like having a mic gives you an excuse to do stupid things, I mean we've all made mistakes while playing but the double standard is ridiculous.
"Man, what was that for?"
"Aw sorry bruss my bad lolol."
Naw man it's alright. lolol"
*Loling continues*


"Man, what was that for?"
*no answer*
"What a dick " *boot*


See my point? So if they're being an asshat boot 'em, doesn't make a difference is they're micless or not. But keeping someone who can't talk won't be detrimental to your game at all, so by booting them your just ruining their fun completely by not even letting them play.
Besides we've played the demo together and I doubt me being there with you made it less fun despite my inability to comment


YOU GO GIRL xD

[CommandrFuzzums]

Dude I ran through gears 2 with a shotgun and the occasional chainsaw. The only thing cooperative is the occasional revive "oww i have been shot in the chest" "Dont worry Ill pick you up" "Thanks! That healed my bullet wound right up"

I know the first aids dont make too much sense either but cmon

Normal or easy stay, anything else you need communication, or mods.

[Miln0rz]

I lent my mic to a friend when he was borrowing L4D from me.
He couldn't find the mic when i picked up the game, so i've played micless a few times. I can see how communication may suffer, but if people don't listen sometimes anyway.

[voodo151]

I've tried plying l4d on xbl, its way more difficult.

[voodo151]

I think sometime micless don't realise we are talking to them, so I call them by their name, if it's readable -I don't really like the full special character name thing-
I know what you mean by the full special character name thing. I'm not saying there all bad, I use the name §p¥, that has special characters but still easy to read and pronounce, i have seen some asshats using names that look like the characters came straight from India (no these are not Indian players =p) how do you identify that!?

[TekkenDevil]

I present this thread to the gaming gods.

Their religion of gaming is on the brink of extinction.

I am writing up a proposal to transport all people that are pure in heart, to a new world, and leave the doomed, the fanboys and the Microphone bastards who DARE ruin the sound effects of games by their endless chatter.

The gods are angry...

[osiris292]

Personally i reckon the game is a lot more fun and you work a lot better as a team when you all have a microphone, I don't mind mic-less people playing versus....admittedly I'd prefer them to be on the other team lol.
What you gotta remember is that sometimes the lobby leader is mic-less so you can't really tell them to boot people for not having a mic!....(at least on the 360 version you can't)

long story short just deal with it or leave cause there will always be the odd few.

[jgravgaa]

I don't mind mic-less if it's someone from this site (I played with l4d411.com mic-less, they're good), anyone else usually gets the boot. (on the 360 of course)