A recent video circulating on social media showcases the Chinese version of the League of Legends client featuring in-game voice chat during solo queue matches. This has sparked curiosity among gamers: is Riot Games planning to introduce voice chat in solo queue for League of Legends globally? Let’s delve into what this could mean for players.
Although League of Legends has incorporated voice chat functionality, it has primarily been limited to pre-made parties. Integrating this feature into solo queue would necessitate some adjustments to the existing infrastructure, but from a technological standpoint, it’s a feasible expansion for Riot.
Clips originating from the Chinese League of Legends scene illustrate players utilizing an in-game voice chat system to strategize with their teammates during solo queue. This raises the question—could similar features be on the horizon for players outside of China?
Is Riot Testing League of Legends Voice Chat in China?
In short, no — Riot has not rolled out voice chat in China nor are they currently testing it for mainstream implementation. While the clips appear authentic, the in-game voice functionality is exclusively linked to Tencent’s WeGame, a comprehensive game launcher for several prominent titles in China.
WeChat, one of the world’s most widely used social media applications, plays a significant role in daily communication in China, making it a key platform for messaging, calling, and transactions. The seamless connection between WeGame and WeChat facilitated Tencent’s creation of a third-party voice service that operates independently from League of Legends itself.
UPDATE VOICECOMMOKAY I just tried it now, and turns out you can mute, adjust volume, and also report people individually! https://t.co/CRw6CRTFaG pic.twitter.com/VZJyIJQvYg
— Alex | 皮达🇨🇳 (@lol_dango) November 28, 2024
Thanks to Tencent’s deep integration within the League of Legends ecosystem in China, players can also report other players through this service if they face harassment during matches.
Despite these advancements in China, there are no immediate plans for similar voice chat features to be available in other regions. Riot Games, now controlled by Tencent, does not have a roadmap that prioritizes voice communication in League of Legends outside of this market. While Tencent had attempted to introduce WeGame to other global markets in the past, those efforts were ultimately unsuccessful due to stiff competition from established platforms like Steam.
This doesn’t rule out the possibility of voice chat being introduced in the future, but as of now, Riot Games is not focusing on making this a significant aspect of the League of Legends experience.
As players look forward to upcoming features in 2025, it’s essential to keep in mind that in-game voice chat is not anticipated to be among them.
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