Enough with the subtitles, already

[Chelsizzle]

I like subtitles on, because I might miss some dialogue. Alternatively, if I hate somebody's voice or have heard the dialogue many times, I can just read through it and skip it.

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Subtitles are more important in games than in movies.

Missing out on a couple of lines of dialogue in some games (Metro 2033 and Brutal Legend come to mind) can be the difference between breezing through a level or being stuck on it for hours.

 

[inFAMOUSCowZ]

i never play with them on, buti hate when i had them on in Dragon age and Mass Effect.

 

[AlexGoBoom]

I use subtitles to understand what characters are saying, which makes me wish all the more i was C-3po

 

[Radioactive Bob]

I've noticed this too, it's weird. I've never been a fan of subtitles because i end up looking more at the bottom of the screen then at the actual cut scene. I feel like, if we can't understand the characters, then yes, they probably should have redone that line and made it clearer for people.

 

[Druyn]

So turn them off. Im sorry, but thats all I have to offer here.

 

[WorldCritic]

I prefer to have subtitles, in fact I get mad when a game doesn't have subtitles on by default.

 

[mad825]

I prefer to have subtitles as well, I tend to have a horrible habit that I've developed from watching too many foreign films where they don't support English audio (or have horrible dubs) so I both read and listen to what is being said

 

[loooooowwww]

I turn them off in all the games I play, takes about 2 seconds.. except for oblivion i leave them on for that cos the characters take way too long to say their lines so i just read ahead and then skip to the next line etc

 

[Xhu]

The first thing I do for every game I buy is go into the options and configure everything, so the default setting [on or off] really doesn't cause me trouble greater than a single click.

 

[imaloony]

I don't get the problem here. You want video games to turn off the subtitles before hand for you? Is it that much of an issue to go into the options menu and turn them off?

Personally, I like them on. Often the voices are quiet and the action is loud, and I don't want to have to switch back and forth between high and low volume, occasionally getting my ears blown out. In fact, I wish more games started with them on. Often I enter the first cutscene and realize I forgot to turn them on, and I'm left straining to hear what people are saying or even accidentally skipping the cutscene, hoping in vain that pressing start will bring up a menu.

 

[Miumaru]

Most games I play do not have them on by default. And as long as the option is available to turn off or on, then there is no reason to complain. I think it is always worth it to check options before you actually play. Took me a few months to find out KuF:CoD had a blood option that by default was off.

 

[Betancore]

Eh, I like subtitles. I get scared abnormally easily, so sometimes I have the entire game on mute or the volume turned down. Especially in System Shock 2. Ugh. So without subtitles I wouldn't even know what was going on. And anyhow, they're not too difficult to ignore, and you can always just turn them off in the settings/options.

 

[Blue Musician]

When I watch a television show or a movie, I'm expected to pick up on what's going on by listening to what the actors say, and by watching the videos. Closed-captions aren't turned on unless I go in and turn them on.

But modern video games always have subtitles turned on by default. What gives? This isn't 1996 any more. You have high-talent voice acting and Dolby sound. I can hear you.

If I can't understand your game without subtitles, then your cinematic has failed to inform me of what's going on. Go re-do it, correctly. Hire better writers and better directors; the video-game industry makes more money than the TV and movie industries, so you can hire better talent, if you need it. (Stop burning out those interns. I'm looking at you, Electronic Arts.)

Or better yet, leave the cinematic out and let me play my own damn game. Yes, we're very proud that you have FMV technology, now celebrating its 25th year. Is it so hard to let me push my own buttons?

No wonder Roger Ebert doesn't take us seriously. He thinks cut scenes are made by people who can't tell a good story succinctly, dramatically, and excitingly. He thinks we have to READ it.

I liek subtitles, specially because somehow it makes me understand the characters even more and more importantly they help me with my grammar, simply because English is not my prime language. Also, I haven't seen any game where you cannot disable subtitles, at least on the PC.
And Reading IS an art.

 

[Blue Musician]

Eh, I like subtitles. I get scared abnormally easily, so sometimes I have the entire game on mute or the volume turned down. Especially in System Shock 2. Ugh. So without subtitles I wouldn't even know what was going on. And anyhow, they're not too difficult to ignore, and you can always just turn them off in the settings/options.

Finally I see someone who has been playing SS2. You have my respects, sir/miss for playing one of the best RPG games ever made. I just play every game with subtitles, even if I can understand them clearly.
Oh, and if you found that SS2 was scary, try playing the SH games, I'm playing them and they can give nightmares.

 

[HigherTomorrow]

Oh man, how will I ever play my video games if there's words at the bottom of the screen?! If only I could turn them off!

Is it seriously that hard to either read the subtitles or turn them off? I prefer reading the subtitles as it stimulates the mind to read and I like powering up my brain while it's melting into mush.

 

[Betancore]

Eh, I like subtitles. I get scared abnormally easily, so sometimes I have the entire game on mute or the volume turned down. Especially in System Shock 2. Ugh. So without subtitles I wouldn't even know what was going on. And anyhow, they're not too difficult to ignore, and you can always just turn them off in the settings/options.

Finally I see someone who has been playing SS2. You have my respects, sir/miss for playing one of the best RPG games ever made. I just play every game with subtitles, even if I can understand them clearly.
Oh, and if you found that SS2 was scary, try playing the SH games, I'm playing them and they can give nightmares.

I've tried the Silent Hill games - key word there being 'tried.' They were terrifying. I dream about some of the characters sometimes. But yeah, that's the thing with subtitles - turn everything all the way down and just read. The music is usually there to add to the mood, so if you can't hear it, it becomes less scary. Works great with movies too.