Editing Voice chat in online gaming

{{Short description|Real-time voice communication over a network used for gaming}}
{{Redirect|Voice chat|voice communication online|Voice over IP}}
[[File:Xbox-360-Headset-White.jpg|alt=|thumb|253x253px|An [[Xbox 360]] wired headset]]
'''Voice chat''' is [[telecommunication]] via [[voice over IP]] (VoIP) technologies—especially when those technologies are used as [[intercom]]s among [[Gamer|players]] in [[multiplayer online game]]s. The VoIP functionality can be built into some games, be a system-wide communication system, or a third-party chat software.

== History ==
Voice chat in video games began in the [[Sixth generation of video game consoles|sixth generation]] with the Sega [[Dreamcast]] (circa 1999{{clarify|date=April 2023}}). Some games, including [[Seaman (video game)|Seaman]] and [[Alien Front Online]] included built in voice chat functionality, though it required an active subscription to the Dreamcast's online service, [[Sega Net|SegaNet]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2000-09-05 |title=Sega Launches Online Game Network |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/05/technology/sega-launches-online-game-network.html |access-date=2023-04-04 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

In 2001, Sony released the [[PlayStation 2 Expansion Bay#Network Adaptor|Network adapter]] for their [[PlayStation 2]] [[video game console]], which allowed voice chatting with a headset. In 2002, [[Microsoft]] launched the [[Xbox Live]] service, including support for voice chat.<ref>{{cite book |title=Vintage Game Consoles: An Inside Look at Apple, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, and the Greatest Gaming Platforms of All Time |last=Loguidice |first=Bill |last2=Barton |first2=Matt |chapter=Microsoft Xbox (2001) |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wZnpAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA305 |publisher=Focal Press |year=2014 |page=305 |via=Google Books |isbn=978-0-203-72831-4 |oclc=874011835 |access-date=2017-05-28 |archive-date=2023-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312182439/https://books.google.com/books?id=wZnpAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA305 |url-status=live }}</ref> Later, Microsoft required all Xbox Live console game developers to integrate voice chat capability into their games and bundled a microphone and headset with the Xbox Live retail unit.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=Developing Online Games: An Insider's Guide|last=Mulligan|first=Jessica|last2=Patrovsky|first2=Bridgette|date=2003|publisher=New Riders|isbn=1592730000|location=Indianapolis, IN|pages=159}}</ref> In 2005, Nintendo launched the [[Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection]], an online multiplayer service for both the [[Nintendo DS]] and for the [[Wii]]. ''[[Metroid Prime Hunters]]'', which was released in March 2006, was the first game that allowed voice chatting through the Nintendo DS's microphone.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Greenwald |first=Will |title=New DS features: voice chat and downloads |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/new-ds-features-voice-chat-and-downloads/ |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> Nintendo also released a Nintendo DS headset for voice chat alongside the release of [[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl|''Pokémon Diamond'' and ''Pearl'']] (2006).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jenkins |first=David |date=2007-03-19 |title=Pokemon Diamond/Pearl Gets VoIP Headset |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/-i-pokemon-diamond-i-i-pearl-i-gets-voip-headset |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=Game Developer |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
Starting in the 2010s, third-party software have become very popular among gamers, even when in game VoIP services are available. Notable software includes [[Discord]], Ventrilo, [[TeamSpeak]], and [[Mumble (software)|Mumble]]. Support for Discord was added to the [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X|S]] and [[Xbox One]] consoles in 2022,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warren |first=Tom |date=2022-09-13 |title=Discord voice chat is now available on Xbox consoles |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/13/23350525/discord-voice-chat-xbox-consoles-now-available |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How to use Discord with Xbox |url=https://support.xbox.com/en-US/help/friends-social-activity/parties-chat/using-discord-with-xbox |access-date=2023-04-04 |website=support.xbox.com}}</ref> with support added to [[PlayStation 5]] in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to voice chat with Discord on PS5 consoles (US) |url=https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/games/discord-voice-chat/ |access-date=2023-03-13 |website=www.playstation.com}}</ref>

== Modern Voice Chat Technology ==
In modern online gaming, voice chat technology has advanced features, like proximity-based and spatial audio. This technology aims to create a more immersive and realistic communication environment for players. Instead of just relying on traditional voice channels, newer implications use special cues to indicate a player's location in the game world, enhancing the realism and interactions of the voice chat audio. When a player is near another player in the game world, their voice sounds closer and is directional, like how it be in the real world, allowing gamers to navigate complex gameplay dynamics through audio.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gibbs |first=Martin |last2=Wadley |first2=Greg |last3=Benda |first3=Peter |date=December 2006 |title=Proximity-based chat in a first person shooter: using a novel voice communication system for online play |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228779974_Proximity-based_chat_in_a_first_person_shooter_using_a_novel_voice_communication_system_for_online_play |journal=ResearchGate}}</ref> However, this type of voice system can face problems, one of those being ensuring audio is clear in a chaotic and noisy game environment. While the improvement of special voice chat offers technical improvements for gameplay immersion, its effective use depends on thoughtful design choices and the need for balancing realistic audio communication.

== Impact ==
In online gaming, voice chat has been a great contributor to strengthening social bonds, improving teamwork, and increasing the engagement of players. Studies have found that voice chat in online games allowed connections between players with real-time coordination for cooperative games, leading to the growth of better friendships.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Ghetau |first=Cosmin |last2=Bogdan lovu |first2=Mihai |date=July 2021 |title='I Hear You': Effects of Voice Communication on the Social Capital of Gamers |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/357105373_%27I_Hear_You%27_Effects_of_Voice_Communication_on_the_Social_Capital_of_Gamers |journal=ResearchGate}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last1=Wadley |first1=Greg |last2=Carter |first2=Marcus |last3=Gibbs |first3=Martin |date=2015-05-01 |title=Voice in Virtual Worlds: The Design, Use, and Influence of Voice Chat in Online Play |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07370024.2014.987346 |journal=Human–Computer Interaction |volume=30 |issue=3-4 |pages=336–365 |doi=10.1080/07370024.2014.987346 |issn=0737-0024|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Games that use courtesy-based mechanics, in-game benefits that encourage good behavior, are seen to have higher rates of positive speech among their players.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Zargham |first=Nima |last2=Alexandrovsky |first2=Dmirty |last3=Friehs |first3=Maximilian |last4=Zebal |first4=Sven |date=March 2023 |title=Speaking Up Against Toxicity: Opportunities and Challenges of Utilizing Courtesy as a Game Mechanic |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369542750_Speaking_Up_Against_Toxicity_Opportunities_and_Challenges_of_Utilizing_Courtesy_as_a_Game_Mechanic |journal=ResearchGate}}</ref> Players were also seen to have greater trust and cooperation with other players with those who used online voice chat as vocal cues, tone, emphasis, or emotional nuances in a player's voice adds emotional depth and clarity to interactions.<ref name=":1" /> When voice chat in online gaming is properly moderated, it can strengthen online gaming communities as it creates a safe and beneficial environment where players feel heard and valued.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Martins |first=Alexandre |last2=Filipa Martins |first2=Ana |last3=Gavina |first3=Ana |last4=Torres Valente |first4=Beatriz |date=August 2024 |title=Interactive Narratives Propose Pluralist Speech: Results of a project aimed at researching and countering online hate speech in video games |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/383505524_Interactive_Narratives_Propose_Pluralist_Speech_Results_of_a_project_aimed_at_researching_and_countering_online_hate_speech_in_video_games |journal=ResearchGate}}</ref>

However, voice chat gaming has also been a major problem for online toxicity and harassment. Research has indicated that women and racial minorities face higher levels of verbal abuse compared to others, many of whom are compelled to avoid voice chat to escape discrimination.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> Games with the lack of moderation in voice chat systems create an environment where offensive language and hate speech don’t have any consequences for players. Voice chat that isn’t moderated can lead to player disagreement, increased stress, and mental health concerns for those regularly exposed to online verbal harassment.<ref name=":3" /> There are attempts to stop the toxicity, such as giving rewards for those who are polite or restricting the toxic players’ ability to communicate with other players. However, these attempts have faced resistance from some players as they are seen to limit free speech of the players.<ref name=":3" />

The implementation of voice chat in online gaming has caused gaming to offer both beneficial social interactions and the potential for harmful experiences. While it does enhance teamwork, friendships, and immersion among players, an unmoderated use can cause widespread toxicity and exclusion.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> There is still the challenge of balancing free communication while providing moderation to ensure a safe space for all gamers. The negative effects of voice chat gaming are being addressed, and the positive effects are being strengthened, by researchers and players investigating various approaches, such as implementing courtesy-driven mechanics, enhancing moderation tools, and supporting community-led projects.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

==See also==
{{Portal|Society|Technology|Video games}}
* [[Audio headset]]
* [[Comparison of VoIP software]]
* [[Gamergate (harassment campaign)]]

* [[Glossary of video game terms]]
* [[Griefer]]
* [[Massively multiplayer online game]]
* [[Online game]]
* [[Proximity chat]]
* [[Video game culture]]
* [[Xbox 360 Wireless Headset]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Computer-mediated communication}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Voice chat}}
[[Category:Online chat]]
[[Category:Voice over IP]]
[[Category:Online video game services]]