[TF2] sv_alltalk 1 will expose cloaked spies who are talking.

[Gamecube762]

With sv_alltalk enabled, speech bubbles from enmities also appear above players who are talking. If a cloaked spy were to use voice chat, their speech bubble will be visible to the enemy team exposing their location.

[Yetoo1]

Shouldn't this be a feature request? I thought that was intended because the purpose of the speech bubble is to differentiate between who's talking in the area and not. I understand that gameplay mechanics for items and effects on the player disappear, but effects like water dripping when coming out of water (even while cloaked) exist. Avoiding players to communicate with the voice to prevent revealing the effect is akin to avoiding the water. But, I see your point, there is no way to stop communication bubble from being seen in the process of communication unlike with the water where it could be avoided in the process of world interaction/processing. I guess the rational for it existing could be since you see it on your team conversely with alltalk enabled you should be able to see it on the other team.

[Gamecube762]

My impression is that all_talk is a "recycled" Source Multiplayer feature and was likely never touched by the TFTeam resulting for this to be overlooked.

My argument is: If using voice chat exposes your location, shouldn't global text chat do the same? As you mentioned, it's not a world mechanic but more of a meta mechanic. I don't think meta mechanics/features should affect in-world gameplay.

You did give me the idea of suggesting a +voicerecord_team command, but I don't think there is any chance of it being implemented due to multiple reasons.

[Tiagoquix]

The culprit is mp_show_voice_icons.

[Jgr9]

I just want voice icons on Valve servers back so badly when I'm playing medic when some person starts crying medic on mic instead of the voice command. I believe that command does not re-enable it on Valve servers?

[olehj]

This happens in Versus for Left 4 Dead 2 as well, wish that you would only see speech bubbles for your own team and not for the opponent. Even visible before the special infected spawns, so you know where they are if they speak.