ok this might just be me wanting this but..
basically i find it hard to sepperate out the text coming from shout and from people talking around me, i also find it hard to quickly match up the person talking to the player model in a rapid conversation
on the server i used to work on (which admitedly was a isometric 2D perpective thingy) the text appeared above the head of the player saying it
could this be implenented with a facing sprite (could even look like a speech buble)
this would also incorporate hearing distance as the player would have to be standing reasonably close to be able to read it
the only concern i can think of that needs some consideration is how you hear someone talking who is behind you
perhaps in that case (ie within hearing range but not facing the character) the text could appear on a designated part of the screen (maybe even without a name unless the person is on your buddy list... ie you hear the voice but cant see who it is.. but if you know the person you recognise the voice)
anyways..comment/flame away
