Proximity Chat: The Good, The Bad, and The Toxic
Proximity chat has taken the gaming world by storm, elevating interactive experiences in both milsim and battle royale games. It’s been a real joy to witness, albeit with some unintended consequences. Who can forget that unforgettable moment in DayZ, when a player barreled through town in a truck, hollering loudly until he faded into the distance? Pure comedy gold!
Why Bungie Draws the Line
Enter Bungie’s upcoming extraction shooter, Marathon, which has decided to steer clear of the potential chaos that proximity chat can bring. Game director Joe Ziegler articulated this dilemma, stating, “I don’t think we’re against the experience of it, to be fair, but how do we create a safe environment for players?” It’s clear that Bungie is prioritizing player safety over feigned social interactions.
The Case for Compromise
Mixed reactions abound; many gamers appreciate the absence of toxic conversations, while others mourn the loss of impromptu teamwork and negotiations facilitated by proximity chat. Can you really reach the full potential of an extraction shooter without those spontaneous alliances, or are our social buttons twitching too much? As Ziegler noted, finding the balance is tricky: “If we could somehow come up with a solution, we totally would. But right now, it is a challenge that many companies are trying to figure out.” While Bungie is not entirely closing the door on proximity chat, they acknowledge that creating a version that eliminates toxicity is a steep mountain to climb.
