Who are you guys?

Ayalogic, our parent company, has been providing voice software to businesses since 2002. We are excited to bring much of the same technology for use in games. Green-Ear is made for game developers by developers who love games. It’s a match made in geek heaven.

Who could use Green-Ear?

Everyone can benefit from Green-Ear! SDKs are FREE and game developers can check out our pricing to learn about integrating Green-Ear into their games to take advantage of the included features and hosted service. Any game development studio or individual that wishes to benefit from the trend in game “socialization” should consider Green-Ear. Games are more fun when you are able to communicate and play together using natural voice. Studies show that try to buy conversion is higher with multiplayer and socialized games.

What is Green-Ear?

Green-Ear is a fully managed and hosted Tier-1 communication network that leverages voice and data for game developers to simply and affordably socially connect games. Green-Ear commands can be easily plugged into your existing gaming code for immediate access to all the features the network has to offer; including everything from text chat to dynamic channels, voice morphing, text to voice messaging and friends’ lists to status updates and voice fonts!

What technology do I need to use Green-Ear?

Green-Ear was designed to be easy to implement on any platform. To access Green-Ear features, all that is needed from the developer is the ability to exchange text-based messaging with the network. The commands are programming language independent; C++, C#, ActionScript, or any other network-capable language will work. Sample C++ code is provided to get you started, and to simplify it even further you can purchase a Torque or DarkBASIC Integrated SDK- where most of the integration work is done for you. SDKs are now available for Windows C++, Mac C++, Flash, Torque, DarkBASIC and iPhone. See our products page for more information.

What are some of the Features of the Green-Ear?

Check out our Features page for a full run down.

What makes Green-Ear different?

Green-Ear is the first, all software, tier-1, communication network designed to socially-connect games. It’s affordable and easy enough to be accessible to novices and pros alike. Also, it works with Flash, the SDK is free, it has a high-quality codec, you get the source code, PSTN connectivity, Voice Commands. Need I go on or have you already stopped reading and went to the download page?

What Operating Systems are supported for development with Green-Ear?

Windows XP/Vista and Mac/iPhone

What are Green-Ear Voice Slots?

Access to the Green-Ear hosted and maintained network is acquired through Voice Slots. Voice Slots represent currently connected users on the network. Buy as many or as few as you need to secure that your players have network access for in game communication. There is a one-time only fee, no expiration for the life of the title and no server rental needed.

What does the code look like to implement, is it C++, TorqueScript or something else?

Well, it’s a simple few lines of code. If you buy the SDK for Torque it is through Torque Script, if you buy another license from us, you can use it in Non-Torque based games using C++ , ActionScript, Cocoa, Carbon etc. The good thing about Torque and DarkBASIC is that we have done most of the work for you and so you can just plug it in. Here is a Torque SDK example:

What SDK’s are available and for which platforms?

Green-Ear SDKs are readily available for Flash, iPhone, Torque, DarkBASIC and for C++ (both Windows and Mac). There are licensing options for Flash game portals, as well. This is ideal for portals looking to build a community around their games and retain players.

What versions of Torque is Green-Ear able to be integrated with?

Both Torque Game Engine and Torque Game Engine Advanced

What does the TorqueScript look like to connect to the network?

What is the earliest version of Visual Studio that is supported for the Windows version of the Green-Ear SDK?

Visual Studio 2005

What method does Green-Ear use to deliver sound on the PC?

We use a combination of hardware and software, but mostly software.

What happens if your game exceeds your licensed Voice Slot capacity?

Nothing, at first. You will receive an email notifying you of your overage and you will need to purchase voice slots to cover the maximum number of connected players for your game. We will work with you to ensure your players aren’t affected.

What would I have to do to use Green-Ear’s Text to Voice feature to have NPCs in my game talk?

You would need to remember to add the Text-to-Voice conference in the NPCs when you were building it, but you would certainly have the capability. Upon deployment of the game, the NPCs would have a set of responses that the game could send as text to our network which would elicit a vocal response, in a variety of voices!

What do I need for development, just SDK…or Voice Slots too?

Just the SDK. It comes with 4 test player accounts so you can test all of the features and use the network. You will need Voice Slots when your game is ready to go live and needs to support a growing community.

Where can I download the SDK to make all my games Green-Ear Certified and hence more cool?

You can buy a Windows C++, Mac C++, iPhone or Flash SDK from our website Pricing Page. The Green-Ear for Torque SDK is available for immediate download at GarageGames.com and the DarkBASIC SDK is available at The Game Creators website.

Where are you located?

We have two offices so we are bi to mid coastal. Our corporate headquarters are in Akron, Ohio. Ohio is cool because space is super cheap and we can have room for the corn toss. We also have operations in Burlingame, CA to keep up our street cred and be in touch with the buzz of the West Coast. Go ahead, contact us.

Where can I find you online?

You can check us out here at green-ear.com, Facebook, Twitter or on our blog, “Green-Ear…the Voice of Games”.

Where do I put my product key?

When you get a product key either from us or from your GarageGames or Game Creators purchase, simply register on the Green-Ear website to access the developer area. Create a username and password and activate your SDK by entering your product key there.

Where do I add my Voice Slot License Key?

Add your Voice Slot License Key in the Green-Ear developer area and associate it with the appropriate title that you would like to accredit those Slots to.

When will new features be added?

Often. Check our News section, our Facebook page, Twitter or look for the inside scoop on our blog.
With our 1.1 release we introduced Mutli-Channel chat, which opened up many new exciting possibilities for world creation. Other 1.1 features include: device selection, stereo selection, .wav files in a chat for background tracking, Channel specific volume control- hear what you want and don’t listen to what you don’t, Channel specific mute. Up to 32 chats at a time!
With our 2.1 release available in early April, we are adding Mac and iPhone SDKs, voice commands and Out of Game Calling.

Why is Green-ear so important?

By creating the first all software, tier-1 communications network that is quick, affordable and specifically designed to socially-connect games – we are changing the way people communicate during game play. Also, because of our easily integrated commands and the play by play G-Ear Command Playbook, creating social gaming is accessible to everyone, not just experienced game developers.

Why did you choose a text-based protocol?

Everything in Green-Ear uses this text-based messaging protocol to drive features on the network. W e chose a text-based protocol because this provided maximum flexibility to the developer - any game technology that could manipulate strings could connect and drive features.

Why can’t I just host it myself?

Our servers are managed 24/7. We have failover and redundancy. We host the servers that enable a robust feature set, including voice morphing, voice fonting and have a proven track record with reliable voice transmission and uptime. This service is an integral part of Green-Ear because the network is at the heart Green-Ear. The Voice Slot fee includes everything you would normally have to buy for an online game: cage rental, server rental, bandwidth costs and power fees are all provided free for the life of the title.

How does it work?

Game development studios and independent designers alike can easily Green-Ear Certify their games by writing minimal code and leveraging our easy to use G-EAR Commands. The commands are text based and are available to most modern game engines using just scripting code. Green-Ear leverages state of the art audio algorithms provided from Global IP Solutions (GIPS), the same company that developed the Skype technology. If you are building a game using GarageGames’ Torque Game Building Engine or Game Creators’ DarkBASIC Professional most of the work is already done for you. Through our partnerships with GarageGames and The Game Creators we are happy to offer full integration.

How secure is it?

Our network is very secure and requires authentication. In addition, the voice chat has the ability to be encrypted.

How scalable is it?

The network is currently engineered at a capacity of nearly a million concurrent users with failover and redundancy. We house our servers in Ashburn, VA at the Equinix Data Center.

How reliable is it?

Our servers are managed 24/7. We have failover and redundancy. We have a proven track record with reliable voice transmission and maximum uptime. The Green-Ear network was designed for business communications with a redundant and load-balanced server architecture ensuring no server is a single point of failure. The Green-Ear Network’s home is the world-class Equinix IBX data center in Ashburn, VA home to the Vonage, Google, and Yahoo servers as well.

How much does it cost?

Good question. SDKs are free, so that's affordable, right? Click here for more information. Windows, Mac, iPhone and Flash SDKs are available for download at green-ear.com. Each SDK license includes 1 developer and 4 test player accounts for the development and testing of your game. Once your game is released, you can purchase Voice Slots to allow players network access. Voice Slots are available in increments of 10, 25, 50, 100 concurrent player slots with prices starting at $49.95.

How much bandwidth is required?

Since Green-Ear is a completely managed network and separate from any other network required by your game, server bandwidth management and budgeting is provided by Green-Ear. Player bandwidth requirements can be regulated by in-game code depending on the voice quality required. Typical rates are 8k-30k bps (bits per second). All audio mixing is done in the network, saving a considerable amount of bandwidth over other solutions. So, the short answer is: not very much.

How much CPU does Green-Ear take up, both idle and in a typical usage pattern?

Consumption depends on which features you implement, the more features- the more CPU. However, if you enable the voice chat but are not currently in a voice conference, you will not be using up CPU. Here are some numbers for your consideration:

• Voice Chat: 1-2%
• Voice Morphing: add 1-2% more

How long are the licenses good for?

SDK licenses have NO expiration. They are good for as many titles as you can dream up but they are per person. Voice Slots have no expiration for the life of the title it is purchased for and can be added together.

How do I control my voice slots and network usage? How will I know when I need more bandwidth?

In the Green-Ear developer area you will see a graphic like this (below) that will track your real-time stats like how many concurrent voice channels (voice slots) are being used in your game and adjust accordingly. Use the drop down menu to select which game you would like to track.

How would Green-Ear benefit a Flash game portal?

Green-Ear provides a uniquely scalable model that allows the portal to attract players by allowing the community surrounding the games to interact, chat, form teams…etc. Because the media and voice path exists outside of the Flash Player, the chat sessions have the ability to remain persistent between running instances of a flash game. No need to end the session when the game ends, which has the effect of creating a community of game users that have the ability to play different games at different times. And they all still maintain the ability to chat even when the game is off. What’s not to love?

How do I get started?

If all of your questions have been answered, you need an SDK. You can buy a Windows C++, Mac C++, iPhone or Flash SDK from our website Pricing Page. The Green-Ear for Torque SDK is available for immediate download at GarageGames.com and the DarkBASIC SDK is available at The Game Creators website.Download the appropriate SDK, go to Green-Ear.com and Login/Register - Create a username and password then plug in your Product Key, you are all ready to go! Of course you can always contact us with any questions at info (at) green-ear.com