So, you've heard about something called an "Architect Chat" and want to know what the heck it is? Well, gather round children - it's story time.
Once upon a time, when the Issue 15 rolled out, the developers implemented a new chat channel - Architect Chat, but due to... reasons, whatever they might be, the user interface wasn't updated to support it - it was not automatically added to anyone's chat tab, and there weren't even any graphical commands to speak in it, leaving the only ways to even know about it to be through fiddling with the chat tabs, word-of-mouth and Issue 15 patch notes. Owing to that, not many players even knew about it, let alone how to use it.
What is it?
Architect Chat is an official serverwide channel - that is to say that, like Help or Arena, anyone can talk in it from any zone they might be, whether in Paragon City or Rogue Isles, and likewise be heard by anyone else on that same server. Unlike global channels, it has no member capacity limit - in fact, everyone in the game already "has" it, and the only issue is adjusting the user interface to display the messages posted in it, but also unlike a global channel, it has the downside of being limited to its specific server - thus, someone speaking on the Guardian server AChat can only be heard by players on Guardian and not any other server.
What is it for?
The specific purpose of Architect Channel is subject to some debate. As there is no official* statement on what the channel should be used for, the opinions range from all-purpose teaming, social chatter, discussion of Mission Architect arcs, recruitment for the same and so forth. Thus, as things stand, and assuming no official word on the matter is forthcoming, it can be assumed that its use will eventually be established and enforced {inasmuch as possible, at least} via social pressure from its participants.
How do I use it?
The first step in using the Architect Chat channel is adding it to one of your chat tabs. The following is a step-by-step walkthrough of adding the AChat to a chat tab. Also, the same principle applies to adding any given chat channel to a chat tab, should you choose to tweak your chat settings.
Of course, simply being able to read what others say in the channel may be fine and dandy, but what if you want to talk in it? There are no options in the interface to use it. Instead, you need to use the slash command, which is /ma <insert message here>. On the other hand, if you don't want to type in /ma all the time, and instead want to prepare the command with a keybind or a macro? Well then, you're in luck.
If you want to prime the chat for a message in Architect Chat using a keypress, type this in: /bind numpad0 "beginchat /ma [Lv$level $archetype] " The "numpad0" argument is arbitrary - you can replace it with any key you want to activate the bind with.
Also, if you've noticed that these commands are a bit more complicated than they should be, you're right - in addition to starting the chat with the AChat command, they will also follow it through with your current level and archetype, something that can prove useful on occasion.
Conclusion
This wraps up the basic guide for the Architect Chat. If you think I've forgotten to cover anything, feel free to contact me via this thread or through a private message and I'll make the appropriate adjustments.
Regards,
Quinch
*"The Architect Chat Channel does not have an officially stated use, however most people have been using it to discuss mission architect subjects and advertise their storyarcs." - GM Datum, incident report 090708-000161, 2009-07-09
Preface
So, you've heard about something called an "Architect Chat" and want to know what the heck it is? Well, gather round children - it's story time.
Once upon a time, when the Issue 15 rolled out, the developers implemented a new chat channel - Architect Chat, but due to... reasons, whatever they might be, the user interface wasn't updated to support it - it was not automatically added to anyone's chat tab, and there weren't even any graphical commands to speak in it, leaving the only ways to even know about it to be through fiddling with the chat tabs, word-of-mouth and Issue 15 patch notes. Owing to that, not many players even knew about it, let alone how to use it.
What is it?
Architect Chat is an official serverwide channel - that is to say that, like Help or Arena, anyone can talk in it from any zone they might be, whether in Paragon City or Rogue Isles, and likewise be heard by anyone else on that same server. Unlike global channels, it has no member capacity limit - in fact, everyone in the game already "has" it, and the only issue is adjusting the user interface to display the messages posted in it, but also unlike a global channel, it has the downside of being limited to its specific server - thus, someone speaking on the Guardian server AChat can only be heard by players on Guardian and not any other server.
What is it for?
The specific purpose of Architect Channel is subject to some debate. As there is no official* statement on what the channel should be used for, the opinions range from all-purpose teaming, social chatter, discussion of Mission Architect arcs, recruitment for the same and so forth. Thus, as things stand, and assuming no official word on the matter is forthcoming, it can be assumed that its use will eventually be established and enforced {inasmuch as possible, at least} via social pressure from its participants.
How do I use it?
The first step in using the Architect Chat channel is adding it to one of your chat tabs. The following is a step-by-step walkthrough of adding the AChat to a chat tab. Also, the same principle applies to adding any given chat channel to a chat tab, should you choose to tweak your chat settings.
- Right-click on your chat window and select "Edit Tab" option from the menu that will appear.
- The Edit Tab window will appear. Find the Architect Chat item in the right-hand column {under "Available channels"} and double-click it. That will move it to the left-hand column, adding that channel to the chat tab.
- Click "OK"
Of course, simply being able to read what others say in the channel may be fine and dandy, but what if you want to talk in it? There are no options in the interface to use it. Instead, you need to use the slash command, which is /ma <insert message here>. On the other hand, if you don't want to type in /ma all the time, and instead want to prepare the command with a keybind or a macro? Well then, you're in luck.If you want to prime the chat for a message in Architect Chat using a macro, type this in: /macro MA "beginchat /ma [Lv$level $archetype] "
If you want to prime the chat for a message in Architect Chat using a keypress, type this in: /bind numpad0 "beginchat /ma [Lv$level $archetype] " The "numpad0" argument is arbitrary - you can replace it with any key you want to activate the bind with.
Also, if you've noticed that these commands are a bit more complicated than they should be, you're right - in addition to starting the chat with the AChat command, they will also follow it through with your current level and archetype, something that can prove useful on occasion.
Conclusion
This wraps up the basic guide for the Architect Chat. If you think I've forgotten to cover anything, feel free to contact me via this thread or through a private message and I'll make the appropriate adjustments.
Regards,
Quinch
*"The Architect Chat Channel does not have an officially stated use, however most people have been using it to discuss mission architect subjects and advertise their storyarcs." - GM Datum, incident report 090708-000161, 2009-07-09