Communication in Space Station 14 is primarily achieved through an in-game text chat, visible in the top-right corner or right side of the screen, depending on the user’s settings. This text chat has a variety of different ‘modes’, which change how the text is conveyed.
Tip
You can change the text mode by clicking the button displaying the current mode and selecting another OR pressing
Tabwith the text chat focused. These modes can also be selected by prefixing a message with the respective character as shown in the headings below. For example:This message will go to whatever channel I selected
>But this one will always go to Local
;And this one to Radio
Chat Modes
In Character
> Local
Example
Urist McHands says, “Hello there!”
You will speak at a volume which can be clearly heard from across a room, or even behind walls.
, Whisper
Example
Urist McHands whispers, “Hey, you.”
Much quieter than speaking. you need to be standing almost directly beside someone to hear them clearly, with a fast drop-off before a message becomes inaudible.
; Radio
Example
[Common] Urist McHands says, “Hello everyone!”
This shortcut specifically defaults to the Common radio channel, which all radios have access to. In order to hear or send messages to/from any radio channel, the wearer must be wearing a headset. Any messages sent over the radio will also be mirrored as a Whisper; use caution when relaying sensitive information in public spaces.
:𝑥 Radio Channels
Some radios have access to additional channels, usually departmental ones. The allowed access as well as the shortcut codes for each channel the headset has access to are shown in the headset’s description. Radios can be given or removed access to channels by slotting in or removing the respective access keys.
| Channel Code | Channel |
|---|---|
@ Emotes
Example
Urist McHands waves hello.
Any message typed into the Emote channel will be sent as italicised text. These messages represent actions your character is doing, and will always be sent prefixed with your character name ie. ‘John Doe waves.’ These messages only show while in direct sight, which includes security cameras.
Out Of Character
Warning
Using LOOC or OOC (if enabled for an unusual reason) channels to share current round information, or using information from these channels to gain an advantage is considered metagaming and is NOT permitted.
[ OOC
A channel only unlocked in special circumstances, or between rounds. Messages sent in this channel do not show up at the character, instead existing purely within the text chat. Messages sent here can be identified by their purple text, and the usage of the user’s SS14 username where the character name usually would be.
( Local OOC (LOOC)
Example
LOOC: Urist McHands: How do I play Engineer?
A type of Local channel, unaffected by speech alterations or sound blockage. Usually used for brief comments, very light chatter or to ask for help with something meta-related (game controls, mechanics…). It is recommended to avoid long conversations in LOOC.
[ Dead
Similar to LOOC, but with infinite range and only visible to other people that are also dead.