firefrost-operations-manual/docs/tasks/simple-voice-chat-mayview

Task: Simple Voice Chat Setup for Mayview

Task ID: #34
Tier: 3 (Documentation & Optimization)
Status: READY
Priority: Low (Player experience enhancement)
Estimated Time: 1-2 hours
Server: Mayview (NC1 Charlotte)
Created: February 22, 2026

---

OVERVIEW

Install Simple Voice Chat mod on Mayview server to enable proximity-based in-game voice communication for players.

What it provides:

• Proximity voice chat (hear players based on distance)
• Group chat system
• Adjustable voice distance and volume
• Whisper mode (lower volume, shorter range)
• No external server required (runs through Minecraft server)

---

CURRENT STATE

Mayview Server:

• Platform: NeoForge
• Version: 1.21.1
• Location: NC1 Charlotte
• Modpack: Custom (Cobblemon-focused)
• Active Players: [To be confirmed]

Current voice solution: Players use Discord (assumed)

---

WHY THIS TASK

Benefits:

• Enhanced immersion (proximity-based, not global Discord)
• Better role-playing experience
• Spatial awareness (know where voices come from)
• Optional for players (Discord still available)
• Low overhead performance

Use cases:

• Cooperative Cobblemon hunts
• Trading negotiations
• In-game socializing
• Events and gatherings

---

PREREQUISITES

Technical Requirements

• Verify Mayview is 1.21.1 NeoForge
• Confirm Simple Voice Chat has 1.21.1 NeoForge version
• NC1 firewall access (open UDP port)
• Pterodactyl panel access for Mayview

Player Requirements

• All players must install client-side mod
• Players need microphones
• Players need to configure voice settings

Decision Requirements

• Confirm with players they want in-game voice
• Determine if Discord will still be used (hybrid approach)
• Choose voice chat settings (distance, volume limits)

---

DEPLOYMENT PLAN

See deployment-plan.md for step-by-step installation instructions.

---

CONFIGURATION OPTIONS

Server Settings (config/voicechat/voicechat-server.toml)

Key settings to configure:

• port - UDP port (default 24454, configurable)
• voice_distance - Max distance to hear voices (default 48 blocks)
• crouch_distance_multiplier - Whisper distance when crouching (default 0.5)
• codec - Audio codec (VOIP or OPUS, recommend OPUS for quality)
• max_voice_distance - Hard limit on voice distance
• allow_recording - Allow players to record voice (default false)

Example config:

[voice]
port = 24454
voice_distance = 48.0
crouch_distance_multiplier = 0.5
max_voice_distance = 120.0
codec = "OPUS"
mtu_size = 1024
keep_alive = 1000
allow_recording = false

Client Settings (Players configure in-game)

Players can adjust:

• Input device (microphone)
• Output device (speakers/headphones)
• Voice activation threshold
• Push-to-talk keybind (default V)
• Output volume
• Microphone amplification

---

FIREWALL REQUIREMENTS

NC1 Charlotte firewall:

• Port: 24454 (UDP, configurable)
• Direction: Inbound
• Source: Any (players connecting)
• Destination: NC1 IP

UFW command:

sudo ufw allow 24454/udp comment 'Simple Voice Chat - Mayview'

Verification:

sudo ufw status | grep 24454

---

ROLLBACK PLAN

If issues occur:

1. Stop the server (Pterodactyl panel)
2. Remove mod files:

   rm /path/to/server/mods/voicechat-*.jar
   rm -rf /path/to/server/config/voicechat/
   

3. Close firewall port:

   sudo ufw delete allow 24454/udp
   

4. Restart server

Time to rollback: 5 minutes

Data loss: None (voice chat is realtime, no persistent data)

---

TESTING PLAN

Phase 1: Server Installation (15 minutes)

1. Install mod on server
2. Configure settings
3. Open firewall port
4. Start server
5. Verify no errors in logs

Phase 2: Single Client Test (15 minutes)

1. Install mod on test client
2. Connect to Mayview
3. Verify voice settings menu appears
4. Test microphone detection
5. Verify no connection errors

Phase 3: Multi-Client Test (30 minutes)

1. Get 2-3 players with mod installed
2. Test proximity chat (walking toward/away)
3. Test whisper mode (crouching)
4. Test group chat system
5. Test volume controls
6. Verify performance (lag check)

Success Criteria

• ✅ Server starts with no errors
• ✅ Players can connect normally
• ✅ Voice chat menu accessible in-game
• ✅ Proximity detection works (volume changes with distance)
• ✅ Audio quality acceptable
• ✅ No performance degradation
• ✅ Push-to-talk works reliably

---

PLAYER COMMUNICATION

Pre-Installation Notice

Discord announcement template:

📢 New Feature Coming to Mayview: In-Game Voice Chat!

We're adding Simple Voice Chat to enhance your Cobblemon experience.

**What is it?**
Proximity-based voice chat - you'll hear players based on distance in-game!

**Why add it?**
- More immersive than Discord
- Know WHERE voices come from
- Whisper mode for sneaky trades
- Optional - Discord still available

**What you need:**
- Download the mod (link below)
- Install in your mods folder
- Restart Minecraft
- Configure your mic in-game (Settings → Voice Chat)

**Installation Guide:** [Link to guide]
**Mod Download:** [CurseForge/Modrinth link]

**Testing Date:** [TBD]
Questions? Ask in #support!

Post-Installation Guide

Create player guide covering:

• Where to download the mod
• How to install (copy to mods folder)
• How to configure microphone
• Keybinds (V for push-to-talk)
• Volume adjustment
• Troubleshooting common issues

---

KNOWN ISSUES & SOLUTIONS

Issue: "Voice chat not connected"

Cause: Firewall blocking UDP port
Solution: Verify port 24454 open, check player's router/firewall

Issue: "No audio heard from other players"

Cause: Output device not selected
Solution: Check Settings → Voice Chat → Audio Output

Issue: "Can't transmit voice"

Cause: Microphone permissions or input device
Solution: Check Settings → Voice Chat → Audio Input, verify mic permissions

Issue: "Choppy/laggy audio"

Cause: High latency or packet loss
Solution: Reduce voice distance, check player's connection, consider codec change

Issue: "Mod won't load"

Cause: Version mismatch (Forge vs NeoForge)
Solution: Download correct NeoForge version, verify compatibility

---

MAINTENANCE

Ongoing:

• Monitor server logs for voice chat errors
• Update mod when new versions release
• Gather player feedback on audio quality
• Adjust settings based on player count/feedback

Monthly:

• Check for Simple Voice Chat updates
• Verify firewall rule still active
• Review player feedback

Quarterly:

• Evaluate usage (are players using it?)
• Consider removing if unused
• Update player guide if needed

---

SUCCESS METRICS

Adoption:

• What % of active players install the mod?
• How many players use it regularly?

Experience:

• Player feedback (survey or Discord poll)
• Audio quality acceptable?
• Performance impact noticed?

Technical:

• Server stability maintained?
• Logs show errors?
• Firewall rule working?

Decision point (1 month after install):

• If <30% adoption → Consider removing
• If >50% adoption and positive feedback → Keep and promote
• If technical issues → Troubleshoot or rollback

---

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

If Simple Voice Chat doesn't work:

Option 1: Plasmo Voice

• Similar features
• Less popular but comparable
• Try if Simple Voice Chat has issues

Option 2: Discord + Voice Channels

• No mod required
• Proximity plugin available (bot-based)
• Less immersive but zero setup for players

Option 3: No in-game voice

• Keep Discord as primary
• Players already familiar
• No additional setup

---

COST

Financial: $0 (free mod)
Time: 1-2 hours setup + testing
Player time: 10 minutes per player (mod install)

---

DEPENDENCIES

Blocks: None
Blocked by: None
Related tasks: Mayview mod compatibility analysis (completed)

---

NOTES

• Test with small group first (2-3 players)
• Get feedback before announcing to all players
• Consider making optional (don't force installation)
• Keep Discord available as fallback
• Monitor first week closely for issues

Player comfort matters: Some players prefer Discord, don't force the change.

---

REFERENCES

Mod pages:

• CurseForge: [Search "Simple Voice Chat NeoForge 1.21.1"]
• Modrinth: [Search "Simple Voice Chat NeoForge 1.21.1"]
• GitHub: henkelmax/simple-voice-chat

Documentation:

• Official wiki: [Check mod page for docs link]
• Configuration guide: [In mod files after download]

---

STATUS LOG

2026-02-22: Task created, research phase complete

---

Fire + Frost + Foundation = Where Love Builds Legacy 💙🔥❄️

---

Created: February 22, 2026
By: Chronicler #22
Status: Ready for deployment when approved