What does this mean? Some kind of new communication features? I think zombies will react to voice. ...And possibly text chatter? I think you are likely right and, if so, is this a further nail in the coffin of the in-game direct comms, given the exisiting problems with it for those not using the OA beta patch? From all the time I've spent on DayZ (on mainly EU servers), I haven't come across anyone using direct comms, amongst those that have mics, either because they believe it's bugged or, more often, because they're using something like Mumble/Teamspeak (not just clans/friends, often for the whole server). I think that's a shame because I think it's potentially a great in-game feature and I love the idea of calling out in the dark or in a desolate suburb on direct chat, either to look for help or initimidate. And all text chat is pretty much confined to the side channel. Does text work on the direct channel, if someone's in range? I heard it has been fixed but haven't been able to confirm it, personally. I know the plan in a future update is to disable global chat, which I think is great, but I fear an in-game disadvantage to direct comms will push even more people to use the other clients such as a server IRC channel, teamspeak, etc. I know we can't stop people using voice-comms that are outside the game, which are already hugely advantageous in coordinating compared to those just using in-game communication, but I think making in-game voice comms suffer penalties will further hamper spontaneous teamwork (often borne out of brutal necessity to survive) which I believe is one of the great strengths of this mod, and what's led to some great stories.
