Using the Mic online, etiquette?

So does pretty much everyone use the mic online? Last night was my first time using Live and it seemed that everyone uses the headpeice to ramble on with. Anyway my real question is, is there something wrong with not using the mic? I just wanted to play some awesome Castle Crashers and try it out with some other people and then a bunch of girls or 13 year olds were cussing me out because I didn't use my mic?

I don't know I may be strange but I don't want to chatter when I'm gaming, unless it is with a group of people I know, and I would wrather just play. I'm just wondering if it's to be expected to always have the headpeice on when playing online.

Hehe me picking a level 1 character to play with their level 50-99 sure didn't reduce the ammount of cussing. =P

Ok I'm glad it's not just me having some bad luck or something. I deffinitally hit a couple group of 13 year old gangsters, it was a bit unsettling. Oh well, no matter, I'm still new to the 360 so I'm sure I will learn and get used to it, and enjoy a healthy dose of the mute button.

Thanks for reminding me about adding in my Gamertag, I had completely forgotten about bringing my sig up to snuff. Anyway add me if anyone is in the mood for some Castle Crashers or Too Human, yeah I'm one of the three people in the world who actually like the game. =P

unless it is with a group of people I know, PenguinGod19

WELL how do u make friends and get to know ppl without talking? do you think ppl with mic's going try be friends with someone who dont? so why dont u put the mic in and talk dang you dont have to talk about everything just something simple like whats up and every thing be all good........ i play halo and i play alot of doubles and when ppl dont have mic's i kind of get mad and say something calling them out saying u poor nub cant afford a mic huh. but when ppl have a mic in just simple hey is all good and dont have to say nothing else the rest of the game k2theswiss

Wow...sentences, my friend. Sentences...

Anyways, by saying "u poor nub cant afford a mic huh" you're just making yourself look like an idiot. First off, most people get a headset WITH their 360s, and secondly, they're just not wearing it, mostly due to people like you.

i only use my headset when playing with friends. the amount of abusive yanks online is enough to put anyone of using it when playing with strangers

I guess I should specify a bit further. When I mean playing with friends I usually mean having people over and playing split screen, not people I know online. Also, even though I generally do not like the mic, I do live with other people and at this point it was late at night and did not want to end up disturbing people.

Could anyone suggest any online games that seem to have a more mature audience? I honestly love Castle Crashers, but I am not liking the community I have seen what so ever.

Thanks for all of the great responses!

In team-oriented games, I think people will generally want you to use your mic. I play a lot of Team Fortress, and mic-ism is highly encouraged there. As for people screaming at you, apply the mute function liberally.

theres etiquette on xbox live?

chaoscougar1

No kidding. When it comes to etiquettte on Xbox Live, as long as you're not an insufferable ass to every person you meet, you're doing fine.

My #1 Rule: If you've yet to reach puberty and the changes therein, please refrain from using the microphone in M rated games. Thank you :)Staryoshi87

That should be law and be punishable by death.

In team-oriented games, I think people will generally want you to use your mic. I play a lot of Team Fortress, and mic-ism is highly encouraged there. As for people screaming at you, apply the mute function liberally.

Palantas

This is true! There is nothing more annoying then playing team deathmatch and you get stuck with the individual who chooses not to use their mic! Except for the people who actually have a mic on and still refrain from assisting the rest of the team. They call it TEAM deathmatch for a reason. :roll:

I use the party system these days and only play team based games with a group of friends and that is what I recommend for any team-based game you play. It really puts your team at a disadvantage if some are not communicating and that isn't fair to the other players on your team. However, this is Xbox live and respect for your fellow gamer is a rarity and that is unfortunate indeed!

The bottom-line is....if you are compelled to go at it alone with no intentions of communicating, thats fine, but if you don't want to participate with your team, then play free for all, where you arent required to speak and work in conjunction with a team! :)

I've found there is a downside to party chat within games - they are usually left open for anyone to join, Avenger1324

This is why I usually set my party to invite only to ensure that doesn't happen. ;) Though avenger had a point about people being in party chat and here again, that still applies. If you don't plan on communicating with the rest of your team, then perhaps you should switch to game chat or play a game type that isn't team based. It really is hindering your team if you are unwilling to communicate. :)

No, no dude. I don't use my headset unless I'm talking with friends. Hey I do have a life-saving tip for you though - When not using the headset, do this:

1.) Hit the Xbox Guide Button

2.) Scroll all the way to the right to "preferences"

3.) Go to "Voice" and turn volume to zero.

What this does is it makes for a COMPLETELY silent voice system. You won't hear them out of the mic, or out of the TV - even if the mic is unplugged.So yeah, try that and you won't hear them cussing. Oh, and if you choose to hear again, go back and repeat the process, but this time turning it up to volume ten.

Ok I'm glad it's not just me having some bad luck or something. I deffinitally hit a couple group of 13 year old gangsters, it was a bit unsettling. Oh well, no matter, I'm still new to the 360 so I'm sure I will learn and get used to it, and enjoy a healthy dose of the mute button.

Thanks for reminding me about adding in my Gamertag, I had completely forgotten about bringing my sig up to snuff. Anyway add me if anyone is in the mood for some Castle Crashers or Too Human, yeah I'm one of the three people in the world who actually like the game. =P

PenguinGod19

I always have my mic on, I like to hear people talking its more interesting then silence.harperseth

I totally agree with you, i find fun to hear little 12 year old white kids trying to speak all gangsta style, laugh my butt off and they're like "what the **** is wrong with ya' daug mother ****er!" with a puppet like voice, just makes me laugh more, hehe.

Somepeople are just too stupid to understand there is a voice through tv option and even though you don't use a mic you can still here them wait until facebook comes out on Xbox live it's going to be even messier

Is there any way to default mute everyone in all games? Like a console setting? When I'm not in the mood I pick the "voice off" setting in halo 3, but I can't find it in other gamespaulokoenigkam

If you go to Xbox.com, you can change your privacy settings. I can't stand the racial slurs, sexual comments, and other crude conversations I hear, so mine is set so I can only hear my friends and the only people who can hear me are friends. Seriously though, in team deathmatch, headphones aren't necessary. Stick with the team and don't go running off my yourself.

Welcome to XBL. There are lots of little kids running around cussin for no reason. Usually its best to have your mic on when playing team based games.

I never use the mic online. I'm just not interested in hearing punks and kids cuss at each other and whine because they're losing.PlasmaBeam44

I plan on only using mine for Left 4 Dead and Halo 3. Other than that, I could deal without the little brats.