Learn how to use GameSpy Arcade's new Chat Layer Controls and deal with those annoying users

  You're sitting in the chat lobby minding your own business. Suddenly, the all too popular flame war begins and you've got a front row seat. Now you'll be prepared with the full knowledge of what to click, where to click it, and how to eliminate those distasteful chat messages.
Let's get you acquainted with the main chat screen for starters. Below you will find the main lobby chat used by all players in selective genres. For purposes of this workshop we will concentrate on the lower right portion of this image. Notice the area designated in a dim rectangle. It displays the tools you are about to become proficient in. Those three functions are the Solo Command, Hide Command, and Restore All Command. All three features have there share of importance, however using each one correctly can assure a more enjoyable environment while surfing the GameSpy Arcade Lobbies.
Keep in mind throughout this workshop that you have the ability to clean up your chat area. If you prefer to hide your Chat Layer Commands listed below the chat screen, you may do so at any time by clicking on the diagonal arrow in the lower rght hand corner of your screen. This arrow is located within a square box and allows the commands to be hidden. They may be viewed at any time by clicking on the same area again. You may also control the presence of this menu by right clicking a player name and highlighting Show Layer Controls.

Solo Command

We'll now introduce you to the Solo command. The command Solo means: Highlight an individual players text allowing easy viewing during chat. If you're one of the many who strives to keep up with a users conversation throughout a very active lobby, this command is just what you've been looking for. If you notice the green and red circles placed beside each players name, we'll be looking at the green circle for the Solo command. It's activated in a few easy to use commands.
The first method utilizes the green circle. It requires nothing more than locating the player name in the right side player list and clicking on the dim green circle to the left of that player's name. You'll now observe any and all text from that player as normal chat. All other player names that are not Solo'd will have a significant brightness adjustment. This allows the players Solo'd text to stand out from the rest. (HINT: You can Solo multiple players simultaneously)
Notice how individual player names have a glowing green circle to the left of their name. Their chat text also appears as normal followed by very dim chat text from non-solo'd players. The second method of activating the solo feature is by locating a player name in the right player list. Right click on a player's name, and select Solo Players Messages as shown to the right:
All commands listed throughout this workshop such as the solo command may be easily turned off the same way in which it was turned on.

Hide Command

The next command is the most commonly used tool by GameSpy Arcade chat enthusiasts. It is none other than the "Mute" feature. Now referred to as the Hide function, it simply removes any selected player's chat text from any & all chat lobbies you enter. This feature follows the same steps of activation as the Solo command. The only difference in this activation is that instead of clicking on a green circle to the left of a specified player's name, you select the red circle :
Pay close attention to the player list above. One player has a glowing red circle to the left of his/her name. This signifies that the player is in Hide or mute mode within your lobbies. You will also observe that no text is visible in the chat lobby as explained above. Again you may also mute this player by right clicking on their name and selecting Hide Players Messages. (Shown Left)
The third method of hiding a players text has appeared in GameSpy Arcade version 1.3. Observe the chat lobby image below. You will notice that a players chat message contained an innapropriate word choice. GameSpy Arcade immediately advises you of this chat conduct by placing a scissors symbol at the beginning of the sentence itself. If you find that users chat text to be offensive or innapropriate, you may click on the scissors to quickly place the person into Hide mode. Please remember that the scissors icon will not appear if you have your chat filters turned completely off. Original chat text will remain on your screen. Hiding a players text will NOT stop him/her from sending you a private message. See the Permanently Ignore This Player function.

Restore All Command

If you find throughout the course of use with the Solo and Hide functions that your player list is now clogged with muted players, you may choose to start fresh! To remove any and all players from your solo and hide functions, click on the Restore All option on the bottom of your player list. This will refresh your player listing with 0 green or red circles activated. Any glowing circles shown to the left of the Restore All feature signifies that at least one player has a solo or hide command on.
Permanently Ignore Player Command
So you've tried hiding a players text and he/she just won't stop harassing you! Fear not, we have a little added trick up our sleeve to assure you're not plagued by unwanted chat. Locate the player name on the player list. Right click on that player's name and highlight the Permanently Ignore This Player command (Shown bottom left). Initiating this command will cause that player's name to be designated with a face in the player list (Shown bottom right). This shows you that the command is currently on. By choosing this command, the specified player will have absolutely no way of sending you a private message or chat. Their lobby chat text will also remain invisible to your view. This command may also be activated by typing /ignore playername in the chat window. The Hide circle does not have to be selected for the Permanently Ignore This Player feature to remove all chat text. The Permanently Ignore This Player function will automatically mute the specified players lobby chat for you.

As you can see these features are very user friendly. They were developed and incorporated into GameSpy Arcade by technical staff with hopes of better suiting you, the user. If after reviewing this workshop you are still unsure as to the operation of a certain feature, please do not hesitate to contact GameSpy Arcade Technical Support or online entities!