Vivox is a middleware company looking to integrate their voice chat interface into games. They are partnered with MMO developers such as NCSoft, Sony Online Entertainment and CCP Games. They are also working with EA to integrate voicechat into Command and Conquer 4. In addition to their game technology, Vivox is developing a voice chat application for Facebook. It is currently in closed beta but the representative, Jennifer Frkanec, said a public beta will be opened in two or three weeks.

With competition like TeamSpeak, Ventrillo and Skype, Vivox has their work cut out for them. Frkanec counters that integrating a voice chat interface into games themselves is more convenient than forcing players to turn to third party software. She even cites a study that says players are five times more likely to play longer with integrated voice chat. Apparently players are more willing to help each other when voice chat eliminates the impersonal barriers of text chat.

I found it most interesting that Vivox will take a jab at Skype’s phone chat features. Each chat account will have its own phone number. Vivox plans on allowing phones to call its users but not the other way around. This keeps the service free for users and, for better or worse, avoids requiring a minutes program as Skype has.

I look forward to trying the service while playing some Facebook games when the open beta launches soon.