Post
by Boss Llama » Sun May 25, 2008 4:31 pm
I think the other thing to remember about communication is that it's a two-way street. Not only does the person with something to communicate have to say it, the people who need the info need to listen and react accordingly!
Many times I've watched as I called a spy's identity, location, and target, and hollered warnings to a person for 5 seconds or more from far away, and watched as they totally ignored me and got backstabbed by a spy they could easily have killed, or at least, avoided. Other times somebody will be calling for assistance with a push at the CP, or will be reporting the escape route of a person carrying intel, and nobody will come help out. People will run right past, in the wrong direction, completely oblivious to what is happening, and cost their team the game by not listening.
At the very least, acknowledge that you heard an important communiqué, so the person giving the info doesn't feel they're being ignored and then clam up. A simple "copy, spy-sniper" or what have you goes a long way towards good communication. This is for the double reason that it encourages people to keep talking (they feel they're being acknowledged by the team), and that it provides a repeat of the important message for those who might have missed it the first time. Obviously you don't need the whole team copying every message, but if at least somebody does so, it helps.
Follow-up is also very important. If you've just called out that there is an uber-pyro pushing the point, and your team is running from all corners to help you, don't forget to follow up with a "pyro down" or a "medic down" as applicable, to let people who haven't yet arrived know the situation is cleared up. If a spy has been sapping the crap outta stuff, or has been called out without being killed, be sure to mention it when the spy is finally dealt with! If you can't find the spy, and have to give up the search, say that as well! "Spy still alive, can't find him" at least lets others know to watch their backs. When I play a spy, nothing is a juicier target than a team that doesn't talk to each other about such things.
A final thing to consider, which some others have already covered but is worth repeating, is to watch the way in which you say something. This is a game, and we're on pub servers. It doesn't matter if you have the most points, have a clan tag, or are a 1337 d00d somewhere - you are not my boss. Do not give me orders. Many others feel the same way. Suggestions get results, orders get the middle finger. "Hey, we could really use an SG on the roof over here, it'll force them to use their ubers early. I'll help you protect it!" will get a lot better results than "You, build a sentry on the roof! Yeah, you. What the hell are you doing, you idiot? Build it on the roof!" Similarly "We could use another medic. Is anybody willing to switch? I would, but I'm not very good at it..." will get better results than "Somebody go medic!" which usually will just get people to tell you to switch yourself, since you're the one who wants it. Again, suggestions good, orders bad.
-Boss Llama
[/quote]
I am adopting it myself.
The best thing that I can do like you stated earlier is to keep things positive and try to get everyone to work together.
