Different types of chat and actual way of communication

[brites 4]

Alright, I don't have friends willing to buy arma II CO to play this mod I i have to play by myself.

Back when there was a side channel, I got to team up with some guys and raid some towns easily, but now with it's removal, I find communication between player really rare, and even I have to shoot on sight to avoid dying.

What i'd like to know is if there is any other way of communication, what the group channel and the other are meant for, and if side channel is going to be back.

[ZogVarnoka 26]

Side channel will likely not be back.

Group chat can be used during logon only for talking to others in lobby. In game it has no function currently.

Direct chat is the only method available on most up to date servers for communicating in game with other players. Voip direct chat is hearable by others up to 40m (recent arma2 beta patch) and is directional. Caps-lock is the default activation key.

Oh and vehicle comms is for use while in a vehicle only. Obvious but figured I would include it.

[NightRipper 284]

Excuse the newbie question, as I'm only a day into my DayZ experience, but why DID they remove Side channel communication? Seems like it would harm gameplay. Just curious if there was a specific incident or trend that sparked the change.

[brites 4]

the removal of side channel has is pros and cons as always.

it improves realism, as you can't talk to people that are on the other end of the map...

but it cuts communication between players and improves shooting on sight.

but this directional chat might be the answer.

What i thought of is a radio that when equipped would allow writing in the side channel.

thanks for the help! it really helped me