NPC Voice Acting

[phfrediv]

I know it is probably in the works, but what are the chances that we see more NPC voice acting in the game in the next few patches? Having stations communicate with you is a step in the right direction and we have had that in a while now, but to make the game seem more realistic and immersive I think all NPC comms should be voice acted.

Below is a link to a video ObsidianAnt highlighted and it doesn't seem like it would be all that difficult. It would sure give the game a little bit more life and seem less quiet.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syRE_nClBS0&feature=youtu.be

 

[Hydrino]

At first you would think that's a great idea, but then I'm thinking what when you have multiple npc channels communicating with you, it would all become a bit much.
By the time the NPC pirate repeats his threat for 10 time, I'd probably switch the feature off, it's just much cleaner to read it.

I'd thing putting effort into making the actual text communication much more complex and varied would be a better idea than making them read those lines.
Imagine how much work would have to be put into it to make sure you don't hear the same generic two voices repeating the same lines over and over.
Also there would be a mixture of speech and text which could also start getting confusing.
Also also text is more immersive as you can create much greater variety with it without expensive voice acting sessions which will risk ending up as cheesy repetive few lines for every pirate you ever meet.

FD, I think it's best if you invest your time in giving us meaningful interaction with those text lines with an ability to reply, rather than put resources into dozens of voice-actors, risking it will come out as a cheesy, repetitive and anoying coms most people will choose to switch off after a day.

Not trying to kill your initiative phfrediv, just honestly think it's a gimmick that could be considered only down the line once there's actually more meaningful interaction with NPC on the text level, so much more important stuff to do first.

I like the OP idea, but you have a point as well. I currently have other higher priorities, but at some point this will likely need to be addressed.

If FD could implement the linked "TTS for ED" it could be low-cost and low-effort way to bring more life to the game for a lot of folks. I like the ATC greeting me as I approach stations.

And a thing about the individual making TTS for ED, which actually works with the game as-is (amazingly), is that the software selected has a wide variety of accents and language support- which is why it would make sense for FD to partner with such a company instead of trying to do something like this solo.

What we can see with the ED API and efforts like this, is the community can within limits help FD push the game and make it somewhat customizable to the player even, at lower cost to themselves, if they design things right and open the right aspects to such "fiddling".

Anyone that hasn't checked this out, I found it very interesting: https://sites.google.com/site/tts4ed/

 

[phfrediv]

You make some good points. It's just that the game is so quiet and the stereotypical cinematic space music is very repetitive.

I do like the idea of having a more human interaction with the NPCs, rather than "Give me your cargo" *start shooting*. Even if that interaction is text based.

I don't think it would be hard to have a large variety of voices/accents in conjunction with a TTS program. Besides, look at incredibly successful games like Skyrim and how repetitive those voices are. "I used to be an adventurer like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee". Yes, it is repetitive, but it gives life to the game. I want to feel as though there is another person in that pirate ship interdicting me, not some computer drone flying a cobra around annoying people. Adding TTS would make the game so much more immersive and that's FD's goal is, right? a realistic, immersive space experience.

 

[Marc_Hicks]

At first you would think that's a great idea, but then I'm thinking what when you have multiple npc channels communicating with you, it would all become a bit much.
By the time the NPC pirate repeats his threat for 10 time, I'd probably switch the feature off, it's just much cleaner to read it.

I'd thing putting effort into making the actual text communication much more complex and varied would be a better idea than making them read those lines.
Imagine how much work would have to be put into it to make sure you don't hear the same generic two voices repeating the same lines over and over.
Also there would be a mixture of speech and text which could also start getting confusing.
Also also text is more immersive as you can create much greater variety with it without expensive voice acting sessions which will risk ending up as cheesy repetive few lines for every pirate you ever meet.

FD, I think it's best if you invest your time in giving us meaningful interaction with those text lines with an ability to reply, rather than put resources into dozens of voice-actors, risking it will come out as a cheesy, repetitive and anoying coms most people will choose to switch off after a day.

Not trying to kill your initiative phfrediv, just honestly think it's a gimmick that could be considered only down the line once there's actually more meaningful interaction with NPC on the text level, so much more important stuff to do first.

I think the two would go hand in hand, as the amount & quality of voice acting increases, the volume of speech could drop accordingly, & could be made much less repetitive.