The latest update for Rocket League has brought back something players have been longing for since it was removed; voice chat. Psyonix and Epic Games have made sure that update 2.15 reintroduces voice communication for players on all platforms, in a move that Rocket League gamers are bound to be delighted by.
The update’s latest patch notes reveal a number of other bug fixes and improvements to the game, which is currently running through its Season 6 content. This latest Season is running until June 15th and has seen a focus on all things animation. The news of voice chat returning is sure to add some extra enjoyment and functionality into what’s already proving to be a colourful season for the game.
Psyonix had previously removed voice chat back in September last year as part of patch 2.04, and the community has been wondering if and when it would return ever since. According to the developers, the reasoning behind ditching voice comms was down to the game’s existing voice chat system simply not being up to scratch, with Psyonix explaining that “the current voice chat system is not up to modern standards, making it difficult to use in a fast-paced game environment”.
They did promise a new and improved voice chat system would be brought back into Rocket League in “early 2022,” so it seems that the time is finally here for that. Here’s a run-down of how voice chat will work in the latest update.
Voice Chat
- Voice Chat is now available to players on all platforms
- With the release of v2.15, Voice Chat is on by default for all players
- Voice Chat is fully cross-platform
- Voice Chat options are Party Chat and Team Chat. You cannot speak with opposing teams in Voice Chat
- When Voice Chat is enabled, you will see a Voice Channel tab (with a little headset icon) appear in your Friends List. You can join, leave or switch Voice Channels from this tab.
- When you join a team in a match, you will be placed into a Team Voice Channel
- When you join or form a party, you will be placed into a Party Voice Channel. This Channel shows everyone in your party that has Voice Chat enabled
- Voice Chat settings can be found by going to Settings -> Chat -> Voice Chat Settings
- Enable Voice Chat: Checked by default; uncheck the box to disable Voice Chat
- [PC Only] Voice Chat Input Device: Select which microphone or other input device you want to use.
- [PC Only] Voice Chat Output Device: Select which output (speakers, headphones, etc.) you want to use.
- Push To Talk: Check this box to use an assigned key to enable your input device. You can change your binding under Settings -> Controls -> View/Change Bindings -> Scroll down to Voice Chat (Push To Talk)
- Preferred Voice Channel: Choose whether to default to Party Chat or Team Chat when both are available
- Main Menu Notifications: Displays names of speaking players while in the Main Menu
- Match Notifications: Displays names of speaking players while in a match
- Text Chat Notifications: Displays notifications in text chat when players leave or join Voice Chat
- You can adjust incoming Voice Chat volume under Settings -> Audio -> Voice Chat
Rocket League is available now on Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC.