Using a game’s in-game chat used to be a major luxury. You could talk with people from the other side of the world as if they were in your lounge room. But now that everyone has a smart phone or they game at a PC, in-game chat systems are a thing of the past with gamers opting to use external programs in order to strategize and communicate with their friends. In the event you haven’t shifted over to an external program, take the time to consider using one of these chat programs instead of using an in-game system.
Skype
Skype has gone through quite a few stages over its lifetime. From humble beginnings as a simple chat program, to a more robust experience. There was even a dark time where Skype was being a bit sketchy, but now with Microsoft at the helm, the usefulness of Skype has returned.
Though it doesn’t have a lot of the features as some other chat programs on this list, it is still an excellent tool for one-on-one chats and even some small gatherings.
Ventrilo
Ventrilo markets itself as “Surround Sound Voice Communication Software” and allows users to purchase a server that their friends can connect to. Within Ventrilo, the admin is able to create numerous channels that players can switch between depending on what they are doing.
This multiple channel situation allows users to select a channel that best suits them. For instance, if a group of users want to play Call of Duty while others play Battlefield, they can enter their own channels to avoid confusion when communicating.
TeamSpeak
In a similar fashion to Ventrilo, TeamSpeak offers users a high-end VOIP service and the ability to create numerous channels. There are paid options that come with their own benefits, such as not having to host from your own machine.
One of the interesting features of TeamSpeak, especially in a work environment, is that it offers 3D sound effects. Users can place their teammates or colleagues around them as if they were sitting at a table.
Turtle Beach Tactical Audio Controller
If you’re lucky enough to have a bunch of friends in the same room – such as at a LAN or major competitive eSports event, the Tactical Audio Controller will be your greatest asset. This nifty little device not only boosts the quality and control over your Elite Pro headset, but it has one incredible mechanic: lag-free communication.
Using an Ethernet cable, you can daisy-chain two or more T.A.Cs together to create what is essentially a small phone network between your headsets. This is excellent for LANs and competitive events where every second counts and even the slightest delay could spell disaster.
Discord
Discord is arguably the greatest chat program since people were tying two tin cans together with a piece of string. It has simply revolutionized how friends, gamers, and communities talk with one another online.
Discord offers all the services of Vent and TeamSpeak, but in a far more attractive package. It boasts more features, greater ease-of-use, and all without needing to rent or host your own server. Even streamers and online communities are flocking to Discord as a means of centralizing their fans and giving them a place to congregate and chat.
With an app for your smart phone, you can take Discord wherever you go. If you wish to support the production of Discord, you can even subscribe to an elite service to unlock more features such as: animated avatars, custom emojis, increased upload limits, and even a rep system to show how long you’ve supported Discord.
If, for some reason, you haven’t yet shifted from Vent or TeamSpeak to Discord, you need to do it as soon as possible. Thank us later!
Chatting in a game with your teammates is so much more impressive these days than back when gaming first found its feet. While players will still use in-game chat to communicate with strangers, if you want a good way to chat with friends and keep in-touch, you should absolutely consider using one of these excellent alternatives to in-game chat!
