PsychoScrum League Season 17: Season Mode

[belikin]

It’s only because of Skype that I can read Jay post with his accent in my head. Thanks Skype.

[TankerBel]

Jeesus you guys have too much free time to type all this stuff. I can't notice any affect when I have skype open when playing TT. I do have a second computer that I could possibly use, if I get the time to move it closer to this one.

[Blind Cide]

If Skype + TT is using 90% of your processor, you will probably bring lag. My guess is that you need dual processors of minimum 1.5 Ghz. to run Skype on the same machine. Skype on a separate machine shouldn't be a problem.

On the Mac look in Applications/Utilities/Activity Monitor. Choose "CPU"


Use the force. If your team knows what its doing, Skype is a distraction. I don't much care for it myself.

My smokeping was getting 10% dropped packets, so something is wrong that I hope to get fixed. On the plus side I went from 15/1 to 20/2 on my connection speeds, lol. If I could get the consistency fixed I'd have plenty of bandwidth for 3 all servers.

[Baba]

does Skype work with the built in mic on a lap top?
Does it take an activation key to talk (like Team Speex does)
KJ and I use computers in the same room, so the lap can use ethernet connection rather than wireless.
I would imagine the dueling conversations might get a bit much... I just bought 1 pair of headphones, sounds like I would need another to make that work.
I feel firm that it should be all in or nothing to keep it a level playing field.
Sorry if that inconveniences some.

[LGM]

Server update-

All seems good. Maybe some of you could drop by Sat AM and I'll check again, but with 7 players in, the game was using 4-5% of the CPU. With 3 in, it used 3-4%. My connection seems pretty solid, so whatever it was seems to have passed. Likely the restart cleared out them electronic bugs.

It's on you guys now. If you want the server, it's yours. If not, then I'll just use it for something else.

[Reagent X]

Some excellent discussion on voice chat. I particularly like the sentiment of: "Why mess with a wining formula?"

Well here's my thinking. PSL has always pushed this game to the limit in terms of strategy, gameplay, level of teamwork, etc. And you have to admit - the game play has evolved quite a bit since the early days. We need to remain open to other ways to slowly evolve the game.

Do I think voice-chat is some huge secret weapon that gives a team a huge advantage? NO. I really don't think it does. I certainly don't need to "talk" to my teammates. When I am in the zone with my team, it is completely understood what everyone is doing.

On the other hand, TS is all about "communication". Voice-chat DOES add to the intensity of the experience: to be plugged in to the audio stream of this virtual battle. And let's face it - connection speeds and CPU power has increased IMMENSELY since the game first came out. There are lots of other games out there where voice-chat is commonplace. And over the last year many of us have been chatting in-game without introducing lag. The key is that the person hosting the voice-chat has a good connection and a separate computer. The average player with a good internet connection should be able to do both chat and TT without noticeable effect.

Is lag always perfect during PSL games? HA! It's always a problem. I don't think adding voice-chat will magically make it better or worse.

At the season outset, Supra and I felt that it is an experiment worth running.

Of course, any rule can be changed by vote of captains.

You do have to admire Jay's leadership in getting his team pre-connected by voice. Well done! (It's not why they won, though...)

[get some]

i am in favor of using some sort of voice chat but only if all captains vote for it.

Rx is right that when you are "in the zone" no talking is needed. but one cant deny the huge potential it has in positioning your team after a score. i would really like to see what PSL can be like with chat added.

i have never been one to complain about lag. i tend to rather play thru bad lag than worry about it. but as i am heading up a team of west coasters i will defer to their sentiments on how the servers play. Belikins server seemed pretty good. havent tried LGMs yet but it sounds like it will be fine. if the 3rd game vs the practice squad is a bit laggy...does it really matter that much?

[Mighty Mouse]

Why not have the bye team and the reserves test the servers for the first few weeks? Since the players come from all over the place, lets' see how the servers respond. It'd also give teams chance to "get connected" and to work out kinks in the server. Once it gets worked out, you can all use Skype in game.

I can't imagine, given the level of experience of random spawning, that SKype would dramatically affect the results. You still have text chat to communicate the basic essentials of teamwork. Just because I have someone yelling into my ear "go to goal!", doesn't make me a better player.

Just a reserve's 2 cents.

[Reagent X]

And to clarify the rule: As of now, voice-chat is legal. This rule can be overturned by a vote of the captains. Until then, IT's ON. Now is the time to get crackin' and set up your computer to run Skype or whatever. Set up a practice chat with your team! Do some research, buy that headset, spring for cable, get that new box you're about to get anyway... DO IT!

NOW IS ALWAYS THE TIME!

[Baba]

does Skype work with the built in mic on a lap top?

I repeat the question

I have a usb mic for my large comp and the lap has the built in mic, will that work?
Does skype take an hitting an activation key to speak? (if so thats a deal killer in TT)

I have no budget for buying a pair of headsets, hoping that is not required.