Analyze uCool and Top Games Inc.'s Chat System Design

Matthew D. Lieberman said in 'Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect' that humans' need for social interaction is even greater than their need for food and shelter. With the increasing development of online social platforms, the chat system in online games has become a new social channel. Although it is only a service system of the game, in MMO games, user communication is an essential part. The early communication system was just a large chat room in the game, with no special design or functional distinction. Driven by the gradual promotion of player needs, the chat system in the game now has new values. This article will use uCool's flagship game Heroes Charge and the game Evony: The King's Return from Top Games Inc. as examples to analyze the design ideas and value of current game chat systems.

Communication Channels in uCool's Heroes Charge

1. Break Down Language Barriers

The uCool team has set up more than 26 languages in Heroes Charge for players to switch. After switching, all text in the game will change to the language you set. The text in chat rooms will be also translated based on the language conversion system. This way, you don't have to worry about being unable to communicate with players who speak other languages. Adding the language-switching translation system broadens the scope of players' friendships and enriches their social lives.

2. Exclusive Language Channels

There are many chat channels in this game, including Server, specific language channels, Guild, Whisper, and Booty Cave. The most distinctive feature is that you can choose different language channels. After entering, you can communicate with players who are also good at the language. At the time of the game's release, this was a new attempt at global gaming. This design can avoid player conflicts due to cultural differences.

Chat System in Top Games Inc.'s Evony: The King's Return

1. Independent Battlefield Channel

When a battlefield or a large campaign arises, an independent communication channel will appear in Evony. Here you can focus on collaborative communication on the battlefield without interference from other chat information. In big competitions, teammates may come from different servers and may not have had the opportunity to interact before. Now, through the independent channel designed by the Top Games Inc. team, unfamiliar players can also communicate and collaborate to broaden their friend circles. During SvS, a dedicated Server War channel will open in the game, where you can chat with players on the hostile server.

2. Mail and Message Board

For players who don't like to express their opinions in public, mail is a good channel to speak up. If you want to contact a non-friend player individually, you can use this method. Besides, the casual mode in the game, Ideal Land, has a Message Board. Through this approach, you can harvest emotional value, such as praise from allies for their leisure arrangements.

What uCool and Top Games Inc. Have in Common

1. Rich Channel Settings

Focusing on the value of channel richness is their common feature. Both of them have Server/World, Guild/Alliance, and Whisper channels. Through these basic channels, players can communicate not only with other players on their server but also with their allies and 1v1.

Through the Alliance Channel, you can chat, make friends, and help each other with your allies. Through the World Channel, you can negotiate or cooperate with other alliances. Furthermore, you can quickly notify the entire server of certain messages.

2. Personalized Display

The chat rooms designed by uCool and Top Games Inc. teams are also personalized display channels for players. They can set different avatars and avatar frames, which are displayed when they speak in channels.

Conclusion

Most game designs are constantly evolving to improve the player experience. According to the practices of uCool and Top Games Inc., the chat system in games now has many values such as information carrier, gameplay guidance, social guidance, and personality display. For MMO or SLG games, relationship building is an important part. A high-quality chat system can carry different topics and even promote the establishment of a community. The designs of uCool and Top Games Inc. are based on one purpose - to better spread the topic among players. As long as this point is grasped, the chat system can better serve the establishment and advancement of social relationships.