What is the Chamber of Chat?
The Chamber of Chat is an interactive chat which transports the player into a three-dimensional world of Harry Potter. As opposed to a regular chat, the CoC includes character development and stunning visuals to satisfy any visitor - young and old alike!
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What features does the Chamber of Chat have?
Feature List:
i) Real time interactive Chat Room
ii) Multiple terrains
iii) Cast Spells
iv) Build your own customized character
v) Free Downloads
vi) Numerous moderators
vii) New features added regularly
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Is there a manual or graphical overview of the features?
In addition to this faq, there is a graphical overview to help explain how to use the chat. You can use the in-chat spell book to see how to cast spells.
Click here to view the graphical overview manual.
Click here to see drawings of incantations for casting the spells.
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Why am I having technical problems viewing the Chamber of Chat?
There are a few things to keep in mind. The Chamber of Chat is a robust multimedia application. It is custom built and not an off the shelf product. There are a few requirements to make your viewing experience more enjoyable.
Minimum Playback Requirements:
- Windows XP / MAC OSX or newer
- 256 MB Ram
- High Speed Internet connection
- Speakers and sound card
- Monitor Colors set to high / Resolution 1024 x 768
- Shockwave plug-in version 10.1.0.11 (click to download)
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How do I make sure I am viewing the newest version?
We update the chat program from once a week to several times a
day. Soho, if the chat does not update automatically for you when you open
it, please make sure you are viewing the newest version of the chat by clearing out your Internet Browser cache. Instructions
can be found by clicking here.
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Who constructed this Chat?
The CoC is made by the staff of ISOinteractive. More information about their wonderful work can be found in their official website.
We have to give thanks to shockwaveserver.com for providing hosting and the special multi user technologies that make the entire chat world possible.
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Who are the staff from ISOinteractive.com that are primarily conducting the CoC project?
Carl Lydon and Troy Hipolito, whose profiles on Leaky Lounge you can see by clicking their names. Also, they are consistently answering questions about the game at this link.
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What is the current version of the chat?
The current version number can be found in the top right corner of the chat. The version at the time of this FAQ update is 4.6. New versions are created regularly with new features and improvements.
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What software and technology was used to create this Chamber of Chat?
The developers used a combination of Macromedia Director (Multimedia), Ararat 4 (3D Modeling), ISOstudio (AI engine), and shockwave Mulit-User Server.
Macromedia Director MX 2004 is a powerhouse for interactive functionality. It can import, use, communicate and control almost any standard interactive media type including shockwave, flash, QuickTime, and mutable image and other video formats. It has an unlimited plug-in architecture that 3rd party developers create called Xtras. ISOstudio is one of these Xtras used.
Eovia CarraraT 4 software is a 3D-animation, modeling and rendering tools for motion media, print
ISOstudio or ISOinteractive STUDIO allows rapid development of cross-platform Isometric Macromedia Director environments. It is primarily used for communications (such as multi-user) games and other interactive online, downloadable or CD/DVD content.
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What is an avatar?
An avatar in this game is the actual character which you control to walk around and cast spells. It is not a static picture like what you may be used to at the Leaky Lounge. You can change the avatar whenever you feel the need, and it will be saved automatically for you.
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How can I add my Leaky Lounge profile to my avatar?
We have just added a feature that allows users to add their leaky lounge profile to their avatars. To do this click on the "avatar" button on the right side. Go through the design process, and at the end you will be prompted to copy your URl and paste it into the text box. Please note that only leaky lounge URL's will be allowed. URL's not beginning with "http://www.leakylounge.com/" will not work! Users that now have added their profiles will now show "profile" when you roll over them. For mac users hit the option button on the keyboard + hit the avatars info and it will bring up their profile in another window. With PC users hit alt + the person's avatar info, and the same thing will happen. Enjoy!
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Which terrains can I venture into?
At the moment, five terrains are available for players: The Study Hall, The Leaky Cauldron, the Dark Forest Edge, the Rune Field, and the Gryffindor common room. Additional terrains are under construction, including unique common rooms for each house. Be patient!
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How do I move around?
For now, the mouse is the only method in which to move your character. Keyboard functions may be incorporated in the future.
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How do I chat to other students?
At the moment, no private messaging function has been implemented.
To chat, click on the rectangular bar at the base of the CoC window, or
anywhere else in the chat window, and type your desired message. Respect other
members, and be aware that there are young kids around. WE all need to be aware
of others on this chat, so of course please be nice. Enjoy yourself! Make freinds!
Have fun!
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How do I cast a spell?
To cast a spell on a person, you must first select them by clicking
on their feet when their details (e.g. Name, Age, Gender, Location) are showing.
You then cast a spell by drawing an incantation in the large blue orb on top
right-hand corner. The spells and their corresponding incantations can be found
by clicking the image of a red spellbook below the orb. This spellbook currently
contains 9 spells, including Babble, Expelliarmus, Flipendo, LocoMortis, Impedimentia,
Rictusempra, Silencio, Tarantellegra, and Ennervate, with more spells coming
soon. Most of the spells now have an effect on the person targeted (Note: you
can target yourself).
Some spells are more difficult than others to cast. Keep practicing to master them all!
FUN NOTE: Here are a list of messages your character thinks of following the failure of a spell being successfully cast:
No dice.
Is it swish THEN flick?
Nothing.
Nothing Happened!
Hmmm. That didn't work.
I should try again.
Hmmm. Just sparks.
Where's my spellbook?
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Why do I sometimes not have enough energy to cast a spell?
There is horizontal bar above the center of the orb that shows your manna. The bar will be completely empty right after you enter a room or cast a spell on somebody. You also lose some manna when you fail to cast a spell. You cannot cast unless the bar is at least 25% full.
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I am unhappy with the character I have developed. How do I change his/her appearance?
Simply click on the "Avatar" button below the crystal ball and you may recreate your profile. Contact the designers or a mod for assistance if you want to change your name.
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What are the plans for CoC in the future?
i) In addition to the already-implemented log-in feature, we will extend your profile to a full database feature.
ii) More art and programming is required to mould the spells - Though they do now function when cast on another person, we are still working on the effects and procedures for more spells.
iii) Learning the spells. These procedures may be posted online by ISOinteractive in order for members to follow.
iv) Additional terrains are being created, including common rooms for all houses. Gryffindor's has already been created. We are thinking about making entry of the common rooms limited to those who are in the corresponding house.
v) Other features, such as games and puzzles.
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What are the known bugs in the game?
i) Occasionally, people may still lose their connection with the chat or experience freezing.
ii) Sometimes you will find that even if you have not cursed, the language filter will still put you in Azkaban. We are sorry about this, but please just wait the minute out, we are working on improving this.
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What suggestions have Leaky readers made to improve the game (some of these have already been implemented)?
i) Something that tells us how long it will take to load (like a percentage done or time left) would be helpful for those of us on slower connections.
ii) Different wand types. And each could have a strength or weakness (stronger spell casting, easier spell casting, stuff like that). And maybe buyable clothing items or something. And some sort of small chat log, transparent, at the bottom of the screen.
iii) Plus maybe a short area to fill out a simple profile would be neat too, where you could click on it and view more about a certain user. Or a friends option, or something of that sort.
iv) And Common Rooms would be awesome.(being made currently)
v) Is there any way to design a house-sorting method like those some other sites have, where you are sorted based on personality-test type questions? It would be a lot more fun than choosing randomly. If not, choosing houses should be an option, like choosing the avatar.
vi) When you say something and walk away, sometimes the speech bubble
and text is separated. And if two people say something in the same place, you
can't read it. The speech bubbles should be moved over or something.
vii) Instead of random sorting, either have a sorting hat with questions (like quiz, like on Mugglenet Interactive before it got all messed up), or be able to just choose your own house.
viii) More rooms. Common rooms that you have to provide passwords to get to, etc. If we could go through a door and get into another room, instead of having to click 'map' that would be super cool.
ix) Being able to sit, sect. From the buttons on the side, it seems
we should eventually be able to do this, which would be nice.
x) Get rid of the annoying popping whenever someone talks.
xi) Have an option to show your age or not. I didn't expect that to be shown, and I wasn't comfortable with it shown.
xii) The ability to log on, like this and other forums, rather than it just coming up on your computer.
xiii) It's a really great program so far, very interesting, though it seems that no one knows what to do. If common rooms were added, and classes...now that could be interesting. Points for houses, etc, maybe duels?
xiv) There is a need for a "forbidden word filter" as I noted some inappropriate language being used. I do hope that "the few" won't ruin it for the rest of us.
xv) A running scroll-like IM would be a neat idea.
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What are the rules of the chat?
We have adults in the rooms called "moderators." They help keep the chat safe and enjoyable. If you see someone being very bad, try to find a mod and tell them. If you can't find a mod you can leave the chatroom to protect yourself. We do our best but we can't control everything people say, so stay alert and enter at your own risk. For your protection, do not give out email, IM, or telephone information; especially if you're under 18. People may not be who they say they are, so beware.
If you break the rules you may be given "detention," which means that you will
be removed from the chat for a while. If you are very bad then you'll be "expelled," which
means you are never welcome to come back. If you are extremely bad we may report
your IP address to the authorities. Adults are welcome here but be very conscious
about how you speak to children; we ere on the side of caution.
Causes for Detention:
1. Swearing.
2. Inappropriate flirting.
3. Minor insults or harassment.
4. Arguing with a moderator about the rules.
5. Being generally annoying.
6. Melodrama.
7. Asking for AIM, emails, etc.
8. Spoilers, when a new book is out.
9. Overly aggressive arguing, politics, proselytizing.
10. Anything else a moderator finds inappropriate.
Causes for Detention:
1. Racism.
2. Sexual or lewd comments.
3. Major harassment.
4. Hacking the chat.
5. Discussing how to hack the chat.
6. Sharing passwords with another.
7. Adults talking to minors outside the chat.
8. Lying about your age on your avatar.
9. Having more than one account.
10. Impersonating a moderator.
11. Behavior a mod deems very unacceptable.
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How does one become a mod for the chat?
Moderators, or mods, help to keep the chat appropriate for all users. To become a mod you must be at least 18, and you must get approval from Carl Lydon and The Leaky Cauldron. Many of the mods are actually staff at TLC. Only a few mods that are not already on the TLC staff have been accepted. You must also demonstrate responsibility in order to be a mod. Even if you are not a mod, you can still help to make the chat a more fun and friendly place by obeying the rules and by alerting mods to problems and rule-breakers.
***Last update by Chris, also known as Nook***
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