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Voice chat in online gaming

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"Voice chat" redirects here. For voice communication online, see Voice over IP.
An Xbox 360 wired headset

Voice chat is telecommunication via voice over IP (VoIP) technologies—especially when those technologies are used as intercoms among players in multiplayer online games. 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 with the Sega Dreamcast (circa 1999[clarification needed]). Some games, including Seaman and Alien Front Online included built in voice chat functionality, though it required an active subscription to the Dreamcast's online service, SegaNet.[1]

In 2001, Sony released the 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] Nintendo also released a Nintendo DS headset for voice chat alongside the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (2006).[5]

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. Support for Discord was added to the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles in 2022,[6][7] with support coming to PlayStation 5 in 2023.[8]

Impact

The widespread adoption of voice chat in online gaming has also led to several negative consequences. While voice chat has become a big hit in console games,[3] it also leads to problems such as griefing, cyberbullying, harassment, and scams.[9][10] Voice chat has enabled a new level of toxicity and harassment in online gaming communities. Players can now use voice chat to insult, belittle, and harass their teammates and opponents, creating a hostile and unpleasant gaming environment. Voice chat has also been used to scam and exploit players, particularly in games that involve trading or transactions. Scammers can use voice chat to build trust with their victims and convince them to hand over valuable in-game items or currency.

To mitigate the negative consequences of voice chat in online gaming, game developers and social media platform holders have implemented various measures, such as mute and block features, reporting of misconduct to online platforms, community guidelines that outline proper behavior and consequences for misconduct. These game developers and social media platforms have also implemented parental controls to restrict a child's access to voice chat or limit their interactions with other players.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sega Launches Online Game Network". The New York Times. 2000-09-05. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  2. ^ Loguidice, Bill; Barton, Matt (2014). "Microsoft Xbox (2001)". Vintage Game Consoles: An Inside Look at Apple, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, and the Greatest Gaming Platforms of All Time. Focal Press. p. 305. ISBN 978-0-203-72831-4. OCLC 874011835. Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2017-05-28 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b Mulligan, Jessica; Patrovsky, Bridgette (2003). Developing Online Games: An Insider's Guide. Indianapolis, IN: New Riders. p. 159. ISBN 1592730000.
  4. ^ Greenwald, Will. "New DS features: voice chat and downloads". CNET. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  5. ^ Jenkins, David (2007-03-19). "Pokemon Diamond/Pearl Gets VoIP Headset". Game Developer. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  6. ^ Warren, Tom (2022-09-13). "Discord voice chat is now available on Xbox consoles". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  7. ^ "How to use Discord with Xbox". support.xbox.com. Retrieved 2023-04-04.
  8. ^ "How to voice chat with Discord on PS5 consoles (US)". www.playstation.com. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  9. ^ Adams, Ernest (2013). Fundamentals of Game Design, Third Edition. New Riders. ISBN 9780321929679.
  10. ^ "Reclaim the game: Clamping down on bullying and harassment among your players". MCV. October 7, 2016. Archived from the original on 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2019-05-23.
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