The Overwatch League has named voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication software TeamSpeak as its official voice chat. The deal will have TeamSpeak implemented as the voice chat tool for in-game team communication, starting in 2020 and lasting until 2022.
TeamSpeak provides the most Secure, Powerful and Flexible VoIP for competitive gaming and Esports. So we're pleased to announce that TeamSpeak is the Official Voice Supplier to the @overwatchleague for the next 3 years! pic.twitter.com/FvRClwsFfx
— TeamSpeak (@teamspeak) December 16, 2019
Overwatch League and TeamSpeak
“In-game communication is crucial, especially at the professional level where the stakes are high and latency, performance, and quick interaction can make or break a team’s ability to win,” said Pete Emminger, vice president of global broadcast at Blizzard Entertainment, in a release. “As Overwatch League teams get set to host matches in their home markets around the world starting in February, having TeamSpeak as the official voice supplier for all Overwatch League matches will give players the highest quality voice comms available.”
The collaboration will include brand activations at various Overwatch League events, where fans will be able to win Overwatch League prizes and tickets to league events through the sweepstakes being hosted. The TeamSpeak staff have also worked with Overwatch League technical and production teams to replicate the analog on-stage communication systems. This way, players can make a seamless transition and the event organizers can effectively integrate the audio solution.
Trying to reacquire users
“Being selected as the official voice supplier for the Overwatch League is a significant step in the growth and global adoption of our superior voice technology,” said Ian Bamford, CEO of TeamSpeak. “We’re thrilled to set the new de facto standard for in-game communications, powering thousands of professional teams and aspiring pros the world over.”
TeamSpeak was released in October of 2001 and has been an alternative for gamers to applications like Mumble, Ventrilo, and Skype. It still remains a popular communication tool for online gamers, but many have moved on to newer platforms. While TeamSpeak excels at the voice communication aspect, users had to previously purchase a server and pay a monthly fee to host their own.
On the other hand, Discord offered a central application on a freemium model. It also removed some of the issues users often complained about with other platforms, like the ability for server owners to view user IPs. However, TeamSpeak recently went through a redesign that may encourage users to make the trip back.
