This isn't anything I think I would use myself, but we quite often run into people moaning about the chat in one way or another - some people get distracted from it, some get offended, some simply likes a quiet environment when playing games etc etc...

Now, before people start with the "omg just use the ignore option" argument to club this down, hear me out a tad longer....

Especially for people playing league games, spectators is often a "problem" when they like to play without distractions. Likewise, we want people to be able to watch league games as much as possible since this adds to the total entertainment value for the people involved.

Currently, league games allowing spectators is subject to both players agreeing - it needs to be this way since players take priority. Expecting players to dynamically ignore all other players/watchers is less than practical to say the least....

A much easier solution would be if the chat window could be hidden/displayed entirely at the click of a button.

Not something we cannot live without, but a simple change that would bring a huge boost of convenience for some players.

And most importantly, like I said I wouldn't be needing anything like this myself, but I welcome options others may need even if I don't feel a need myself.... There are no downsides to this, apart from 15 minutes coding for Nick.

i remember this being talked about before, can't remember what was said but i agree, i had a snooker mate (likes to deactivate) who likes silence during his games, instead of ignore button he could simply get rid of the chat box and play like the opponent wasn't even there.

maybe if you get rid of chat box it should disable pms too?

Maybe leave that to be controlled by the existing "ignore messages while competing" option.

I think he means including friends

yeah i mean everyone.

A good point.

Yeah, just consider it a button for "complete silence" mode I guess, excluding messages from staff as per usual of course (no other existing suppression work on staff users either, so this would of course be the same)

Maybe just a delay until inbetween games for staff messaging?


Otherwise clan members who just happen to be staff may have an advantage over other members - even though they're just messaging for clan purposes

maybe keep pms minimised then then it doesnt affect your gameplay?

I think this is a good idea. Maybe there should be some sort of notification to tell the other player that you have it set to 'no chat mode' - so that they don't just think they're being ignored?

Not really a problem for playing strangers but if friends join a game and say hi it would just seem like you're being rude otherwise.

Good point Rogan, while not being 100% necessary, some kind of feedback or indication for others would be sensible.

i dont agree..

Ususally when this crops up and you point out that you can just extend the window so the chat box is off the bottom of the screen, thats all that is required.

And the problem with adding this as a proper option so people could play with a maximized window and without also having to hide other essential parts of the game window is.....?

Just because you don't want to see the chat doesn't mean you want to hide the list of players present or more importantly, the buttons to the right

Absolutely no problem.

The people who like having the buttons there usually place an "always on top" window, such as media player, over the chat box.

http://img811.imageshack.us/img811/9223/image1u.jpg

Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with the option as you will see searching back, I have been suggesting a "mute all chat" option for years. But I also understand it's a bit like wanting a square pancake. Nothing to stop you trimming the edges yourself

True, it just takes more effort than should be necessary and possibly are options that escape less creative minds than your own

sounds like a good idea personally, and guess what, it seems like this is a wipeout thread

yup you have to cater for idiots like me who don't think outside the box personally i wouldn't use the option, i like having a good chat! but think its a great idea for those who just want to play in peace...

sometimes i go into snooker club on snooker because its all about football which i can only take so long and then i move into that room for some quiet time.