Alexander England

Humans are social by nature. Naturally, the human race has found many unique and critical ways to efficiently communicate with one another. First by verbal language, then writing, then to more sophisticated forms such as mail, phone, and text. While there are many mainstream ways to communicate there are some niche forms that many people use. These may not pop into one's head when one thinks of a technological way of communicating but they are ways to communicate nonetheless. This paper will concern a party. Not a party where people gather, but a party with headsets and controllers. Where people who know nothing about each other interface over this particular system. Microsoft's Xbox designed the party chat as a way for gamers to communicate while they play. This can be with their friends or complete strangers. Looking at the caveats, the ins and outs of this unique form of communication is just the start before explaining how the culture and identity of gamers are developed throughout the “party.”

The first word that comes to mind when thinking of Xbox party chats is ‘interactive.’ Players can mute themselves and other players. They can kick and ban players if they are becoming a hindrance to other players' experience. Another feature is a player can change the volume through the menu; allowing soft-voiced players to be heard and the more vocal players to take a lesser decibel. The interactive nature of the chat shapes how easy communication can be customized. Another way Xbox shapes its players' communication is its exclusion of some players. To access party chats one must purchase a premium called Xbox live. Players who don't buy this or cannot afford it will not be able to join parties therefore they will not be able to participate in the main form of communication for Xbox. 

Another notable factor is the speed of communication. As players need to talk fast to their teammates to make split-second decisions the nature of the communication in party chat is fast and brief. The way games are designed shapes the communication thus shaping the party chat itself. This then leads into the next point which is the direct communication that the party chats offer. Players, as previously mentioned, have to make fast decisions meaning they lack both the time and the words to communicate so instead they use quick commands that allow them to quickly say what they want without interruption. In turn, this makes party communication quick and direct, and at times it may seem candidly rude. That being said there is a function of the party chat that has some players infuriated with developers. A function that can be described as restrictive. This is the banning function of party chats. If players choose to use profane language other players can report them to Microsoft and they will get punished. Punishments range from a ban on party chats for a few days to a restriction on a player's account entirely. 

Now that there is a general understanding of what party chats are, and the different functions and nuances about them, it's time to see how this form of communication shapes the identities of those who use it, and how it includes and excludes in different ways. One can see how new players quickly learn how to communicate faster in party chats. How statements like “I think I am going to head over here” turn into “I'm going left.” Players assume identities as those who are independent and do their own thing, others choose to follow and listen to what someone else is saying, and some choose to lead and talk and call the shots for most of the time. This form of communication makes its players direct, teaches them how to cut out words and still make their point, and most importantly it teaches them the value of how quickly statements can be said and how people react to them. One moment someone can say “take the shot” and the next split second the target is already down. While party chats are a superb form of communication it does have its faults. The cost of Xbox Live makes it less accessible and those who are deaf or blind will not be able to use it either. Like anything, it has its faults but in the end, party chat serves its purpose in the gaming world and does its job, it not only allows players to talk but it shapes and molds a more direct form of communication that will benefit players on and off the console.