Chat box?

Yes, the chat box... Well...

Do we need it?

It doesn't get used and it isn't really needed, so why have it? Well, because it could be better used.
So, to start with, the forum user's eye could be drawn to it somehow. A white featureless box is uninteresting, and wont get noticed. Maybe a new design for a background to it could be made, similar to the logo at the top of the forum? The text would have to be changed to white, though.
Next, the empty feel of it. Seeing nothing there when you enter the forum is not going to get it used. The archives could be permanently displayed to give it a used feel.
And finally, logging on to it is simple, but annoying. An auto-log-in option would be nice.

Well, that's what I think could be done. I understand that some, hopefully not all of it might be impossible, but I think what can be done, should be done.

P.S. I don't want to sound like I'm being rude when I write this, I just want to suggest things that could be done to get the chat box used more, because I like the idea.

P.P.S. Maybe some interesting conversations could be found as easter egg logs in the final game.

I've used the chatbox a few times. It would be wrong to say it doesn't get used.

I use it too, but no one seems to respond to me.

I use it ocasionally. If anyone even sorta uses it, I say we keep it.

It's good if there's a few people online at the same time. I've had quite a few very fruitful discussions on it, including a few with Bashi that helped us iron out some of the OE concept. It's a good tool, just underused.

The Uteen wrote:

So, to start with, the forum user's eye could be drawn to it somehow. A white featureless box is uninteresting, and wont get noticed. Maybe a new design for a background to it could be made, similar to the logo at the top of the forum? The text would have to be changed to white, though.
Next, the empty feel of it. Seeing nothing there when you enter the forum is not going to get it used. The archives could be permanently displayed to give it a used feel.
And finally, logging on to it is simple, but annoying. An auto-log-in option would be nice.

The Uteen wrote:

P.P.S. Maybe some interesting conversations could be found as easter egg logs in the final game.

The suggestions seem to have been overlooked completely...

Okay, apparently it does get used, just not when I happen to be on, but why forget the suggestions because of it? Isn't it still possible to improve it?

how about making it bright and flashy like those spam pop ups, those always get my attention.

koiboi59 wrote:

how about making it bright and flashy like those spam pop ups, those always get my attention.

That was a joke, right?

Noitulove wrote:

koiboi59 wrote:

how about making it bright and flashy like those spam pop ups, those always get my attention.

That was a joke, right?

... it would be better then a white box.

The Uteen wrote:

The Uteen wrote:

So, to start with, the forum user's eye could be drawn to it somehow. A white featureless box is uninteresting, and wont get noticed. Maybe a new design for a background to it could be made, similar to the logo at the top of the forum? The text would have to be changed to white, though.
Next, the empty feel of it. Seeing nothing there when you enter the forum is not going to get it used. The archives could be permanently displayed to give it a used feel.
And finally, logging on to it is simple, but annoying. An auto-log-in option would be nice.

The Uteen wrote:

P.P.S. Maybe some interesting conversations could be found as easter egg logs in the final game.

The suggestions seem to have been overlooked completely...

Okay, apparently it does get used, just not when I happen to be on, but why forget the suggestions because of it? Isn't it still possible to improve it?

Unfortunately, the chatbox isn't very customizable. I've differentiated it about as much as possible, but it's very simple and doesn't have many options. basically, it's either enabled or disabled.

well i don't think it matters much, we rarely used the chatboxes anyway. only if theres like 5 people so i don't think it is the biggest concern.

In my opinion chat seems an advertising!