Okay .. so how do you get started.

[butlershouse]

This question could be far to generic to be answered here I suppose, yet I cant go posting variations of this question in each of the game forums because I is lazy like that !

So I am hoping that possibly theres some "standard" stuff that everyone will need to know, and do, in order to carry out multiplayer gaming. So whilst I dont expect an answer to firewalls ( i can handle that thanks ) or actuall configuration of software i would be interested in knowing more about how to get started ( hence I post in this forum ) .

So heres some questions that it would be nice to have an answer to .


1. Knowing that I have game "X" :- whats the best way of discovering servers which i can connect to to start playing ?

2. Given that im fairly new to the game i think it sensible to say that I should avoid servers where experienced players are hanging out. So as such where do you go to discover servers to players of a less expereinced nature. and no this i not a invite to lame bait me ( and others ) to the pro league of servers just so you can stat horde.

3. Voice in Game. I am used to XBL just making Voice work inthe game by default. What will I need to make this happen in my games ? I know I will require a headphones with a mic but what software should I be using ?

4. Speaking of software what should be avoided or what "gotchas" should I be aware of.

I know theres a lot of questions here but i have been lurking and trawling some forums for a while and ive just not discovered the answers.


Cheers for your time


nick "Im just soooo Lazy" Butler

[brightside]

some games have inbuilt VOIP software, such as BF2. Others require the use of a thrid party program such as Ventrilo of Teamspeak.

The best way to get started if just to simply play. Try and get to be a regular on a server, people will get to know you etc. That's the way I worked up, I don't think theres really a specific place for newbies to go, some people might have setup servers for them but they're likely to be few and far between.
People on here would of course be willing to help you out and show you the ropes, what games do you play out of interest?

[butlershouse]

Well I have CSS, BF2 and F(ear) just diving in can be fine if you have time to experiment .. but if your 30 something family man then your requirements are more direct. XBL is great in the respect since I get gaming quickly. Id like to reflect that experience here.Thanks for your reply its goodto know BF2 has VOIP built in . I guess I should look into team speak ? .

[brightside]

it all depends, if you get playing on a server regularly, then they might have a public teamspeak or ventrilo, some people prefer one or the other, they both pretty much seem to be the same from someone who only uses them for the basics. :)

[D-Fens]

Sorry for going off topic, but brightside you still ain't sent me that receipt for the opty chip yet (and the 2 screws) ... giving you the benefit of the doubt and assuming you have missed my pm's and emails rather than ignoring them, but I'd really like to get this sent so I can leave you alone ...