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Voice over Internet Protocol
From EncyClanPedia
VoIP is an acronym standing for "Voice over Internet Protocol." Voice is recorded either through a computer microphone or via some other sound input device, encoded, and then sent to the intended recipient(s) via the internet.
Games which use VoIP
Many online games now integrate VoIP into the game client and server to facilitate teamwork. Notable examples include Counter Strike, Battlefield 2, Battlefield 2142, Quake Wars, World in Conflict, and Team Fortress 2. These record the voice transmission and then send the voice recording to the server where it is distributed to the other players on the team or in the same squad as the original sender. Typically, these games also feature other ways to inform players of who is speaking, such as displaying a speaker above the speaking player's head in games such as Counter Strike or placing the player's name off to the side in a highlighted fashion in games such as Battlefield 2.
Games made for consoles, especially games which have multiplayer elements on Xbox Live generally all employ the Xbox Live voice system. This allows players to communicate via VoIP and a headset connected to the Xbox.
Abuse of VoIP in games
As with many other game features, in game VoIP can easily be abused. Certain users write "spammer programs" designed to play annoying noises or generally disrupt gameplay by inserting distracting sounds through the VoIP system. Other times, the nusiance can come from two or more players arguing over kills, team tactics, or other issues which are then relayed to the entire team or squad. Generally, most games emplying a VoIP system allow players to selectively mute other players so their transmissions will not be played. Also, administrators in some games also have the option of globally muting a player's VoIP, preventing the server from relaying their transmissions.
Programs which use VoIP
Many clans and other groups use VoIP programs to communicate easily among their members. Two leading examples are Teamspeak and Ventrilo, two of the most widely used outside of game VoIP programs in the market today. Even when outside of games, users can connect to the Teamspeak or Ventrilo servers as if in a large conference call with other users, allowing effective real-time communication. Other programs such as Skype and most instant messenger programs as well as Xfire have embedded VoIP capability, enabling users to hold a conversation.
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