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How to Voice Chat Without a Windows Live Game

Live voice chat is one of the features provided by many PC multiplayer games licensed and packaged as "Games for Windows." Still, there are many other ways to engage in voice chat with your companions or enemies, even if your game is not supported by the official Windows Live chat. The Steam network also supports live chat during gameplay, or you can run other chat programs outside of the game itself. Alternatively, there are other platforms that support live voice chat during gaming as well.

Instructions

- 1
  Play games on the Steam network. Although the network only supports chat with other Steam members on titles available from their store, the Steam network offers a huge variety of games, both old and new. During the game, press the Tab key to open the Steam menu. Open a chat with one of your Steam friends and click the microphone button. Now you can chat live on your microphone headset, external mic or your on-board laptop mic with your friend while you play the game.
- 2
  Open an external voice chat program, such as Skype, while you play the game. Connect with your friend and begin the chat before minimizing the window. Launch your online game as you would normally, and enjoy the multiplayer mode with your friend. Adjust the game and Skype volume settings accordingly to optimize your gameplay and minimize interference between the two sources.
- 3
  Play games online with Xbox LIVE or the PlayStation Network. While physical game discs and files designed for PC are not compatible with either console, many of the titles are available across all three platforms, each with their own fanbases and online communities of gamers. Additionally, many of these games support the party chat feature, which allows you to chat with several people at once. Specially designed headsets also allow the headset or headphone output to differentiate from the main game audio.

Computer Games