Voice chat icon.
Voice chat also known as spatial voice or Chat with Voice, is a feature that was announced on the Roblox Blog on September 2, 2021,[1] and was later was released on November 8, 2021, to all 13+ users.[2] It allows users to engage in voice chat within spatial experiences on Roblox.
Enabling[]
Voice chat option in Roblox Studio.
During its testing phase, eligible users would receive a private message on their account on how to participate in the feature. Developers can enable voice chat feature in the options section of home in Roblox Studio regardless of having access to the feature itself. Eligible users in the feature would receive a notification when they join an experience that has enabled voice chat. Originally, the feature was only available at the Roblox Community Space, but now all developers can enable voice chat in their experiences.[3]
On September 21, 2021, it was announced that the feature when released, would be available only to 13+ accounts as well as needing an age verification. Alternatively, users in select regions can access voice chat by verifying their account with a phone number.
Usage[]
Voice chat in-game.
Eligible users in an experience will see a microphone icon next to their username and above the Avatar of other users that have voice chat enabled. Users will not be able to see who does or who does not have voice chat. Users will also be able to mute by clicking the microphone of another user.[4] In experiences which enabled the feature, only a maximum of 30 users can be allowed.
While viewing the game's main page, users who have access to voice chat will be able to see whether the game has voice chat enabled or not.
During RDC 2021, it was announced that users could swear, as long as it is within moderation terms.[5]
Moderation[]
A Spatial Voice Suspension or Voice Chat Ban is an administrator action that Roblox moderators can do to a player if they see the player is breaking the rules of voice chat. This can be a temporary or permanent suspension based on the action.
Criticism[]
The feature has mainly been criticized for how users will talk within the feature. Some are worried that users will use profane language to younger players. It has also been speculated that there will be new ways to ask for personal information from scammers, as well as online dating. Voice chat's moderation has also been criticized, with many users complaining that the report system can easily be abused to get innocent players suspended from voice chat even if they don't say anything, and that suspensions from the feature do not provide reasons and cannot be appealed.[6]
References[]
- ↑ https://blog.roblox.com/2021/09/future-communication-metaverse/
- ↑ Bloxy News [@Bloxy_News] (2021, November 8). "Starting today, any 13+ user who has verified their age can opt-in to the #Roblox Spatial Voice beta. 🎙 You can opt-in to Spacial Voice by enabling the beta feature through My Settings > Privacy:" [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ https://devforum.roblox.com/t/spatial-voice-developer-beta/1479160
- ↑ https://en.help.roblox.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405807645972-Spatial-Voice-Beta-
- ↑ Bloxy News [@Bloxy_News] (2021, October 15). "Can we swear using Spatial Voice on Roblox? Short answer: Yes. As long as it is within moderation. #RDC2021" [Tweet]. Twitter.
- ↑ Noble_Draconian (2023, March 13). "Voice chat moderation : Moderation reason needs to be given when banned from voice chat". From DevForum. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023.