Best Games With Proximity Chat

Key Takeaways

• Proximity chat has become an essential feature in many multiplayer games, allowing players to communicate effectively with their teammates and even with enemies. Here are some games that make use of proximity chat to enhance the gaming experience:
• Onward – This first-person shooter game emphasizes communication between players, making proximity chat a crucial aspect of gameplay.
• In Silence – In this horror game, one player controls the monster, while the others are survivors trying to escape. Proximity chat is essential for coordinating efforts and staying alive.

With the emergence and rising popularity of online games, third-party voice-chat systems such as Skype and Discord have become a must as they allow friends to coordinate their gameplay, and enjoy couch-co-op even across long distances. Some games capitalize on this, allowing players to chat with each other via a built-in game chat.

There are games that take it a step further with proximity chat. As the name suggests, this mode of voice chat allows players only to hear each other if their avatars are close enough in the game world. It adds a layer of realism that games can take full advantage of.

Updated November 4, 2024, by Hamza Haq: Even though multiplayer online games make up a giant portion of the industry, titles that incorporate proximity chat, meaning the ability to talk with others who are close to the player’s in-game location, are not commonplace. Most online games tend to only use some version of team speak that allows members on the same side to chat with each other regardless of distance. This implementation works like radio comms between allies and feels entirely different from proximity chat. Still, the gaming landscape is vast, and the demand for games with this feature is large enough that some developers, especially in the indie sphere, have sat up and taken notice.

17 The Outlast Trials

Communication Is Key For Survival And Objective Completion

Online titles have become one of the most popular styles of games, thanks to the spread of the internet, allowing players far and wide to enjoy experiences together. Studios that once developed single-player titles are now delving into the online world for a slice of the success, resulting in games such as The Outlast Trials.

Players take part in the eponymous trials, and though they can go alone, it’s less dangerous to go with friends. In each trial, there is an objective that must be completed, but several terrifying enemies stand between them and the goal. To succeed, players need to stay close and communicate through in-game proximity chat. But, hearing their voices slowly fade into the distance as everybody splits up is a chilling experience. This is a horror game made for proximity chat.

16 DayZ

Survivors Can Talk To Each Other In This Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Survival Game

DayZ is an open-world sandbox zombie survival game with no set goal other than to survive till the next sunrise. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic zombie urban environment with a progression system similar to that of other survival games like Rust. Multiple players inhabit the same map and can choose to either play with each other or against one another.

Proximity chat is the main way to interact with others, allowing players to organically meet new people by stumbling across them out in the world. Interactions rely almost entirely on how these conversations go, ranging from convincing people not to become aggressive to exchanging resources with the threat of imminent violence looming overhead, to colluding with another individual to take out a party together, and everything in between. While using proximity chat is not a requirement to enjoy DayZ, it adds a dimension to the survival gameplay loop that can only be replicated in games with this feature, and what makes the game feel special.

15 Onward

Touted As A Realistic Shooter, The In-Game Chat Adds Further Realism

FPS games often try to aim for realism, giving players tense, adrenaline-fueled gameplay for a thrilling experience that will keep them coming back for more. The emergence of VR technology has allowed developers to add a whole new layer of realism, as it places players right into the world, through the eyes of one of the gunmen.

Onward takes this a step further even, with proximity chat meaning players can only hear one another if they are in range. Whether it is in co-op mode or PVP, players are sure to feel immersed in the world of Onward. Communication is also the key to success, adding just another reason why the proximity chat in this title is so important and meaningful.

14 In Silence

The Monster Can Hear The Players, As They Work Together Or Against Each Other

• Platforms: PC, Mac
• Released: 16 October 2020
• Developers: Ravenhood Games
• Genre: Action, Horror

This multiplayer horror game sees one player taking control of the creature, and 2-6 other players take on the role of the hapless survivors who are looking for their means of escape from the woods, and the monster prowling among them.

Almost completely blind, the monster relies on sound to hunt, namely those of the survivors’ actions and voices, as this is where the proximity chat comes into play. Players will need to communicate via voice chat to coordinate their efforts if they have any chance to survive, but the player controlling the monster also has access to it, allowing them to hear their chat and even join in themselves to taunt or scare the other players.

13 Forewarned

A Terrifying Multiplayer Horror Experience Set In Ancient Ruins, Coordination Is Key

• Platforms: PC
• Released: 10 September 2021
• Developers: Dreambyte Games
• Genre: Adventure

Similar to Phasmophobia, Forewarned sees a group of intrepid explorers entering haunted premises and using equipment to find evidence to diagnose the entity, with an Egyptian theme, unlike the aforementioned game.

Players entering these ancient ruins must use proximity chat to corroborate their efforts in gathering evidence and exploring the ruins so they can know what the entity is, and know how to best deal with it while hopefully keeping themselves alive. Should players stray too far, they can use a walkie-talkie to keep in contact, which adds a layer of realism and immersion to this horrifying experience.

12 Hell Let Loose

This WW2 Online Shooter Offers One of the Most in-depth Chat Systems For Clean Conversation

Shooting games set during WW2 are unique by any measure, but Hell Let Loose sets itself apart by being an online experience of impressive scope. 50 players take on another 50, choosing to be part of the American, British, Soviet, or German army, and attempt to win against the opposing side by using all the weapons in their arsenal.

Considering the number of players, one would think the proximity chat would be illegible with too many overlapping voices, but developers over at Black Matter cleverly handled this, with one person in charge giving orders and organizing their units via the leadership voice channel, each unit able to communicate with each other in the unit proximity chat, and a party chat also implemented for friends to be able to communicate.

11 BattleBit Remastered

A Massive Multiplayer Online Indie Shooter Where Players To Enemies

BattleBit Remastered is an indie online multiplayer shooter with low-poly graphics and fun gunplay that made a massive splash in the industry when it first came onto the scene in 2023. In the main game mode, players are separated into two teams on a single map and told to secure objectives and prevent the other team from claiming them; the tried and true Battlefield formula just works. Servers have the capacity to host up to 254 players in a single match, divided into two teams of 127 each, but most games tend to be either 32v32 or 64v64, as the player base has dwindled over the last year.

Proximity chat is implemented via the push-to-talk feature, which allows players to choose to engage in conversation with their teammates or enemies who are physically close to them. There is a team channel as well to communicate exclusively with allies when the need arises. Another cool feature is the ability to use PTT immediately after dying, which has the potential for all sorts of interactions between the killed player and the person who put them down.

10 Call Of Duty Warzone 2.0

A Free Battle Royale In The Call Of Duty Universe

The Call of Duty series delved into the rich and ripe battle royale mode, releasing Warzone 2.0 back in 2022 to much fanfare and success. Considering its fanbase adores shooter games and the multiplayer aspects of CoD, it made sense for the franchise to move in this direction, allowing players to enjoy a CoD-themed battle royale game for free.

Players will be dropped into a map that continually shrinks as they try to gun each other down to earn the title of being the last one standing. The inclusion of proximity chat makes it all the more chaotic and fun, as the players will bring great energy, jokes, and smack-talk to the voice chat, as well as useful information such as locations of enemies players can use to their advantage.

9 Holdfast: Nations at War

A Multi-Faceted Historic Multiplayer With Chaotic In-Game Chat

• Platforms: PC
• Released: 21 September 2017
• Developers: Anvil Game Studio
• Genre: Shooter, Massively Multiplayer

Part multiplayer, part shooter, part RPG, Holdfast: Nations at War is sure to appease most gamers. Players will immerse themselves in historic battles using the weaponry of the time in servers of up to 150 other players, ensuring tense and thrilling battles down to the last men standing.

Proximity chat is unlimited in the game servers, allowing anyone and everyone to engage in chat, mobilizing allies or antagonizing their enemies. With no limitations, restrictions or organizations, the voice chat can be chaotic, but adds more realism, as everyone would be talking over each other in times of war.

8 V Rising

Many Different and Fun Aspects of this Survival RPG Help To Forge New Alliances

Vampire enthusiasts haven’t been forgotten either with the brilliant V Rising, which sees players don the fangs of a recently awakened vampire that fell into a prolonged slumber. There are many different aspects to the survival RPG, such as drinking different blood types with unique bonuses, building up a castle and shoring up its defenses, and dipping into the PVP mode to take on other vampires.

In PVP mode, players can use a built-in proximity chat to converse with the other players, and perhaps find ones who might be willing to team up. This is a great way to make new allies in the game who could potentially become a new friend to play more games with.

7 Phasmophobia

A Horrifying Ghost Hunting Game Sure To Terrify The Bravest Souls As Players Collect Evidence On The Ghost Type

Ghost-hunting fans rejoice! There is one excellent ghost game that makes use of proximity chat, and that is Phasmophobia. In this title, players are in the shoes of a group of vastly underpaid ghost hunters who use the tools at their disposal to investigate what sort of ghost is hunting the premises.

With multiple maps and over 20 total ghosts, players might have a hard time figuring out what ghost they may be dealing with and must work together to lift the mask. With built-in proximity voice chat and a long-distance radio chat, players can easily corroborate their efforts through the trial even when they are far apart, but they should take care, as often lone targets are easily killed by the ghost, especially if they are unaware during a ghost hunt, as the ghost will track their voice.

6 Escape From Tarkov

A Realistic PVP Shooter Where Communication With Friends Is Essential

This PVP shooter brings fast-paced adrenaline-pumping action to players, which the developers herald as being “realistic.” Players can choose one of three modes: temporary offline, online PMC raids, or Scav, short for scavenger. Players can choose to go it solo or team up with their friends to further their chances of survival.

Proximity chat is just another weapon in the player and their adversaries’ arsenal, as it allows them to more effectively cooperate with their friends as they attempt to gun down rival gangs, but the other players will also be coordinating with their teammates, which adds another layer of difficulty. In the end, it will come down to which player is more skilled, and a dash of luck for good measure.

5 Hunt: Showdown

A Fun Monster & Player Hunting Game With A Unique Setting

Step back in time with this rootin-tootin-shootin’ game that pits players against players as well as events. Supernatural monsters have been unleashed upon Victorian-era Louisiana, but that’s where the hunters come into play, teaming up with other hunters, arming themselves to the teeth, and then hunting down the creatures in question. But, the player and their friends will be in a race against other players and their friends who are tracking the same quarry. Speed, skill, and cooperation are a must.

Thankfully, Hunt: Showdown allows players the use of proximity chat so they can work together to track down their prey before other hunters snipe at them or their hunting target, but other hunters who are close enough could also potentially overhear the words and use them to their advantage.

4 Sea Of Thieves

Boundless Freedom Where Players Communicate As Pirates

For those who want something less horrifying, Sea of Thieves is here to save the day. Sail the seas as a crew of scallywags looting and exploring the world, and even encountering other pirates. With no set roles for players to fight over, they are free to choose what to do which offers a fantastic amount of freedom.

With proximity voice chat in play, they can make use of this to coordinate gameplay, speak with other crews, or even belt out their favorite sea shanties to immerse themselves in this multiplayer pirate game. There have been multiple hilarious Sea of Thieves videos involving proximity chat. Whether that’s a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired fight or a simple joyous shanty.

3 Lethal Company

A Scary And Challenging Roguelike Treasure Hunting Game To Help Or Hinder Friends

Lethal Company has drawn in a lot of players thanks to its fantastic gameplay that can enjoyed with up to three other players. The players scavenge for scrap on abandoned moons to sell to the Company, but these moons may not be so abandoned after all.

Traps and dangerous creatures both present threats to the players, but thanks to the proximity chat players can warn their friends of any dangers that may be up ahead…or they can have a little fun and prank their friends, hindering their progress.

2 Content Warning

Create Fun And Engaging In-Game Content With Friends

Content Warning is a fun and new multiplayer horror game that allows up to four friends to realize their dream of being content creators. The catch is they can’t do it from the safety of their home–they need to venture into dangerous territory to tape terrifying entities that may not be too pleased that intruders are trespassing into their lair and trying to film them.

The game itself actually captures players’ gameplay and their voices as they try to farm more views for their videos. If all players want a share of the fame, they need to stick close to ensure their voice is captured.

1 Rust

A Tough, Yet Rewarding Survival Game To Make Alliances Or Rivals

This multiplayer open-world survival game has only one main objective, which is to survive whatever dangers come the players’ way, but it will in no way be easy. Everything in this world wants players to die, from the flora and fauna to the other players populating the world.

Players must do whatever it takes to survive this hostile world, such as finding supplies to aid them, killing dangerous enemies, and communicating with allies to coordinate their efforts. Fortunately, proximity chat is built into the game so players can speak with their allies to improve their chances of survival, but they should be wary of what or who might be listening to their communications.