It's so frustrating joining a group and having no idea. The mic indicator next to the name isn't always meaningful, I've joined people with no mic icon that can still hear me. And I hate typing when I have to stop moving.
While we're at it WHY in the world is there no push-to-talk?
That's not true. I've been in parties where MY mic indicator does not display, and it has nothing to do with my own microphone. It changes when people leave or join. If no party members have voice, the mic indicator for me disappears. But sometimes one person can hear me and the rest can't, and I'd rather know without them having to tell me.
I have turned off all Steam voice chat. The very few worthwhile comments are severely out-shined by the immense amount of random and often disturbing background noise / vulgarity.
Having voice enabled is not the reason people can hear you. Having the mike on is why you can transmit your voice, but everyone can hear you in your party if their speakers are on.
The mike indicator is just to show if they have an active mike THEY can use.
BTW: Does the steam push to talk work for SK? idk.