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.
Voice chat in video games began in the sixth generation with the Sega Dreamcast (circa 1999). 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]
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]
While voice chat has become a big hit in console games, also leads to problems such as griefing, cyberbullying, harassment, and scams.[9] [10]