Subtitles in Video Games.

[NoNameMcgee]

There's nothing wrong with my hearing but I actually like to keep subtitles on just in case I miss something.

 

[swordless]

I generally don't use them but I have found myself needing to on a couple of occasions where sound effects and background music have gotten in the way of hearing dialogue. Often I find there is the option to adjust the volume of dialogue, music and effects separately and I find tweaking that to be a better option than having the subtitles on but I don't really see why they couldn't be a standard option on games.

 

[afaceforradio]

So I recently got Army of Two: 40th Day. The game isn't amazing, but one of my greatest riles is the lack of subtitles. The gameplay segments are full of loud explosions and gunfire, and I find it extremely difficult to pick out what Rios and Salem are saying to each other sometimes, and what is being told to them via their headsets. Also, the little radio broadcasts you pick up? I have to double my TV's volume to make out what is being said in them, then have to lower it again when I get back into the game. It aggrivates me no end that the developers decided not to include the option to enable subtitles.

I typically enable all subtitles in games where they have the option, because I'm one of those who don't like to miss a beat. Sometimes its handy for when the other people in the house are asleep, and I want to carry on playing my new game, but don't want to miss vital plot elements cause I've had to turn the volume down to miniscule amounts. [The people I live with are extremely light sleepers]

So, my question to you is, are you a subtitle fan like myself? Or do you see the inclusion of subtitles in a game pointless, and do you dislike it when they are forced upon you without the option to disable them?

Hells yeah, I always have subs on a game. Mostly for the reasons you listed above (when will game developers learn that if you really do need to listen to people speak they need to make the voices a decent volume...)

I didn't realise that game didn't have subtitles - that's actually quite bad design. What about those who are hard of hearing?

EDIT: The only time I switch subs off is when I play Left 4 Dead 2. Simply because Ellis' stories take up about 90% of the screen and I can't see what the frack is going on.

 

[Veleste]

Yeah, I always have subtitles on in my games. Makes it easier to keep up with what's going on as I generally find it kinda hard to follow the audio most times.

 

[Eliam_Dar]

Since English is not my mother tongue, and Spanish dubbing is usually like a "failing 101" book dedicated to translation and crappy voice action, yes, I usually need subtitles. I can understand most of what's said, but I always miss a few details here and there.

don't even get me started in spanish dubbing, it is really awful to the point it seems done on purpose. But since I understand spoken english almost as good as spanish, then I don't usually find myself in this situation

 

[Marter]

I use subtitles because I usually have another T.V. on, and a lot of the time what is on the other TV, (Sports/TV Shows) is more interesting than what is in the game, so I'd rather listen to it. I need subtitles to still get a sense of the story.

 

[CLEVERSLEAZOID]

Hells yeah, I always have subs on a game. Mostly for the reasons you listed above (when will game developers learn that if you really do need to listen to people speak they need to make the voices a decent volume...)

I didn't realise that game didn't have subtitles - that's actually quite bad design. What about those who are hard of hearing?

EDIT: The only time I switch subs off is when I play Left 4 Dead 2. Simply because Ellis' stories take up about 90% of the screen and I can't see what the frack is going on.

Damn, thats the main reason I have subs ON for L4D2, Ellis is amazing and so are his stories <3

And as for the lack of subs in AoT? I'd like to say its because its EA and they hate all gamers equally, but I'm sure there have been subs in some of their other games, and I just dislike EA for the constant wave of yearly sports games that are exactly the same graphically and gameplay wise, just different colour strips and players have changed teams.

And I've never thought about the logical reason for subtitles, the hard of hearing. I think the only person I know who is closest to that though is my father [he's 50 and plays 360] and he doesn't use subs at all.

 

[Super Toast]

I love subtitles. They really do become useful when the characters sometimes speak in other languages (like GTA4).

 

[Fetzenfisch]

I dont really need them. theyre dragging away the attention from the picture. And in a big in-fight scene (may it be MoH or CoD or such) its just natural that you don't get everything, which is part of the scenario. (it may take a lil longer to find your way then the first time but so you discover more of the gameworld )

English isnt my native language either ,but i guess im fluend enough to understand 99,999% of every text/film which isnt in weird dialects.

 

[mrfusspot]

I honestly hate having to use subtitles, but I do most of the time.
It ruins the immersion, for me, but then again, so does not being able to hear what the characters are saying because they decided to whisper while every one else is shouting.

 

[Aptspire]

I always put them on, even after my 10th playthrough

 

[Tanto-chan]

I like subtitles but I don't need them. Of course I can hear a staple hit the floor in a crowded hallway.

 

[AMX58]

i watch movies and play games with subtitles because i can't hear for shit sometimes but they do get annoying butt i still play with them

 

[Retardinator]

Subtitles=Necessity. Especially in games where there are various accent differences between the characters. Not to mention Niko Bellic doesn't know his English OR mother tongue particularly well. (and I know that all too well, it even makes me wish I was a different nationality not to recognize all that butchering)

 

[Kavachi]

I don't really like subtitles. I see why it can be useful, but they're always distracting me from what happens when I keep readin those tiny letters. The text is not the only thing that has details, and I don't like missing the visual details as well.

 

[icaritos]

English is not my mother tongue, so while i was still getting the hang of it i would always use subtitles. Even tho i have been speaking english for 4 years now since i moved from my country, i still use subtitles. Guess its because it became a habit (the fact that i watch anime with english subs probably also plays a part in that)

 

[ZephrC]

I always turn subtitles on when I have the option. I don't have any problem with quiet, but when someone doesn't enunciate clearly while music is playing and a bunch of sound effects are going on I just have absolutely no idea what they say, and that happens a lot in video games.

 

[HentMas]

Well, its interesting but, subtitles are great, and its easyer to read than to listen to words

 

[Dimbo_Sama]

I always think Subtitles are a good idea, what if you're deaf? what deaf people don't play video games?

But personally I only use them if it's in a language I'm not one to speak... or in any 3D sonic, where the Japanese voice actors are ACTORS and not just people they pulled off the streets.