http://dbd.game/killswitch
Proximity chat mechanic and walkie talkies (feedback encouraged)
-Introduction-
I think most people can agree that the biggest balancing issue with Dead By Daylight is the difficulty gap between SWF and Solo teams of a similar rank. I think the best way to close the gap between the two would be an in game proximity chat because it raises the coordination of solo players and will reduce the number of teams using an outside chat method. Solo groups will have a rudimentary way to communicate and organize while still leaving the game feeling immersive due to the proximity aspect.
Why wouldn't people just use discord anyways, you may ask. I have 3 points of reasoning for this. The first reason is that a certain percentage of SWF groups may prefer to use an in game chat in order to respect the spirit of the game. The second is that 2 or 3 man SWFs may want to use the in game chat so they can communicate with the solo player(s). And the final reason is that, if done properly, the game will reward players for using proximity chat in small ways such to encourage use of the in game chat. The breakdown of the mechanics and offerings we could have can be seen below. Please let me know what you think!
-Proximity chat - Base mechanics-
-Survivor base statistics: Survivors are able to hear each other faintly at 24 meters and clearly at 16 meters.
-Killer base statistics: The killer and survivors can hear each other faintly at 12 meters and clearly at 8 meters when not in a chase.
-Hearing faintly VS. clearly: When hearing someone faintly, you are unable to discern direction, the volume is lowered by 60%, and there is a static background noise. When able to hear clearly, you can discern distance and direction
-Settings: The option to mute individual players or killers can be accessed from the quick menu during a trial. The option to automatically mute players when playing killer or to automatically mute the killer or other players as a survivor can be accessed from the settings menu in the title screen.
-New offering: Walkie talkie-
~Survivor offerings~
-Common (white) - Toy walkie: The killers hearing distances are reduced by 4 meters for your voice
-Uncommon (green) - Used Walkie: Increases your communication distances with other survivors by 8 meters <does not stack>
-Rare (yellow) - New Walkie: Increases your communication distances with other survivors by 8 meters and the killers hearing distances are reduced by 4 meters for your voice <does not stack>
-Very rare (purple) - Army Walkie: Increases your clear communication distance with other survivors by 16 meters and the killer can not hear you clearly <does not stack>
-Ultra rare (red) - Ranger Walkie: Increases your communication distances with survivors by 16 meters, you can see the aura of survivors you can hear clearly, and survivors who you hear you clearly can see your aura <does not stack>
~Killer offerings~
-Common (white) - Bloody hearing aid: Your clear communication distance is increased by 4 meters
-Uncommon (green) - Broken headphones: Your communication distances are increased by 4 meters
-Rare (yellow) - Scratched signal jammer: survivors clear chat hearing distance is reduced by 4 meters
-Very rare (purple) - Mangled CB radio: Your clear hearing distance is increased by 8 meters and survivors hearing distances are reduced by 4 meters
-Ultra rare (red) - Rewired Walkie: You are able to hear survivors faintly at 24 meters and clearly at 16 meters. Being in a chase no longer affects communication.