Private Channels and Communication
Private Channel Capability
Apollo and Boomerang are fast-paced, noisy environments. In order for productive communications to take place between players, it's important to know who can talk to who, and when. In the opening scenes, everyone will be able to hear and talk to all other players. Once the players transition to the training room and tutorial, different rules apply:
A Players - A players can always talk to each other and can be heard by B and C players, except when in private chat conversations (see below for explanation of private chat).
B Players - B players can talk to each other at all times and can be heard by C players. A single B player can be heard by all A players if they activate the 'Broadcast to All' function on their toolbar.
C Players - C players can talk to each other and B players, but cannot be heard by A players. They can also listen in on private chat conversations between a B player and A player. Most facilitators ask the C players to be silent and observe, then provide feedback to the other participants after the game.
Facilitator - The facilitator can be heard by B and C players at all times. They can communicate with A players by activating their 'Push to Talk' button.
Private Chat & Eavesdropping
The private chat feature allows a B player to start a private chat with an A player. While they are in a private chat, all other voice communications will be muted and they will not be able to be heard by the other players.
The only exceptions to this are:
- The facilitator broadcast will override any private chat so that the Facilitator can be heard even while a private chat is in progress.
- While a private chat is in progress, a C player will be able to eavesdrop on the private chat and hear the conversation, even while all other players cannot.
- C players will need to select which private chat to eavesdrop on, since there could be multiple private chats simultaneously (up to 4 if each A player is in a private conversation).
The private chat feature and eavesdropping features become available once players enter the training room and when they are in the cave. There are no private chats while on the planet surface or while in the waiting room where players check in.
Here's a technical view of the private channels. The "x" = no functionality
If you find that any participant does not have voice chat functionality, please refer here