What is the game where you control character with voice?

Voice controlled games utilize speech recognition technology to allow players to control in-game actions using their voice. Rather than relying on controllers, keyboards or touch screens, players can speak commands and interact conversationally with characters in the game world. This innovative gameplay mechanic aims to create more immersive and hands-free experiences.

The concept of using voice control in video games has been around for decades. As early as the 1970s, researchers were experimenting with voice recognition to allow players to interact with chess games using spoken commands (Reddy et al. 1973). However, the technology was limited due to insufficient computing power. It wasn’t until the 2000s, with the release of advanced voice engines and AI assistants like Siri and Alexa, that voice control started gaining mainstream traction in games. Some early examples included Tom Clancy’s EndWar in 2008 and independent titles like In Verbis Virtus in 2014.

Today, voice interaction is becoming a popular feature in games across platforms and genres, aided by the prevalence of microphone-enabled devices. Players can not only control actions via voice, but also engage in dialogue with in-game characters. As the supporting technology continues to advance, immersive and conversational voice mechanics will likely become more commonplace in the future of gaming.

Popular Voice Controlled Games

Some popular video game titles that utilize voice control include:

Scream Go Hero (Android, iOS) – Players must scream, shout, and make other vocal noises into their device’s microphone to control their on-screen character and navigate through obstacle courses.

There Came an Echo (PlayStation 4, PC) – This real-time strategy game allows players to vocally command and position their squad units to accomplish objectives and take down enemies. Speech recognition enables intuitive controls.

Lifeline (iOS, Android) – Users communicate with the game’s stranded astronaut character by speaking into their phone or tablet’s microphone. The conversation shapes the narrative path in this acclaimed sci-fi adventure.

Untitled Goose Game (Nintendo Switch, PC) – The 2019 viral hit expanded its accessibility options to enable controlling the troublesome goose protagonist with speech and voice commands.

Other popular titles supporting voice input include Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney on Nintendo 3DS, Radio General on PC, and Ghostophobia on PC.

How Voice Control Works in Games

Voice control in games relies on speech recognition technology that can interpret spoken commands and translate them into game actions. Games with voice control utilize speech recognition engines like Google Cloud Speech-to-Text or Microsoft Azure Speech-to-Text to transcribe speech into text in real-time. The game is programmed with a dictionary of defined commands that get mapped to specific actions when recognized.

For example, saying “move forward” could make the character walk forward in an exploration game. Or saying “attack” could trigger a sword swing or gunshot in an action game. Players go through a quick training process to calibrate the speech recognition to their voice. Advanced systems can recognize natural language, so players don’t have to memorize specific commands and can speak conversationally. The voice input gets parsed for keywords related to predefined actions.

Quality microphone hardware helps improve accuracy, as background noise can interfere with voice recognition. Some games also utilize AI and machine learning to better adapt to a player’s voice over time. Overall, voice control aims to create an intuitive hands-free gameplay experience by translating spoken words into real-time game responses.

Advantages of Voice Controls

Voice control in video games offers some key advantages that enhance the gaming experience for many players. Most notably, using one’s voice to control a game can feel more natural and immersive than pressing buttons on a controller or keyboard. Speaking commands aloud allows for more instinctive interactions that better mimic real-world behavior.

Voice control also enables hands-free gameplay, freeing up the player’s hands for other tasks. This can be advantageous for situations like snacking or texting while gaming. It also opens up gameplay for people with limited mobility in their hands who may not be able to hold and effectively use a traditional controller.

Furthermore, voice control increases accessibility for disabled gamers. Those with visual impairments, motor impairments, or other disabilities that make using a conventional controller difficult can benefit greatly from the option to control games with their voice. Voice control technology helps more people enjoy gaming as an entertainment medium.

Overall, the naturalness, hands-free flexibility, and accessibility afforded by voice control each widen the appeal of gaming and provide advantages over more traditional control schemes.

Challenges of Voice Controls

While voice controls offer many benefits for gaming, the technology also comes with some limitations. One of the main challenges is ambient noise. As explained on CanIPlayThat, “Microphones can’t distinguish between a player’s command and background noises” (Using Voice Recognition to Play Video Games). Things like a dog barking, music playing, or conversations in the background can interfere with voice commands being properly interpreted.

Another limitation is the vocabulary. Most voice control systems only recognize a finite set of words and phrases. As pointed out on Medium, “The speech recognition technology can only understand the limited vocabulary it has been trained for” (The Rise of Voice Recognition in Gaming Technology). So users may be restricted in the commands they can give.

Finally, there is often a learning curve involved for players to get used to controlling a game via voice. It takes practice to deliver commands clearly and get the timing right. Players need to learn what words and phrases the system understands. While voice control opens up options, it may take some effort to master.

Notable Voice Controlled Games

Some of the most innovative and popular voice controlled games that have pushed the boundaries of speech recognition technology in gaming include:

Scream Go Hero was an early voice controlled game released in 2017 that had players battle monsters by screaming into the microphone. The louder and more intense the scream, the more powerful the attack. This innovative use of vocal intensity as a game mechanic made it very engaging.

In Verbis Virtus is a first-person puzzle game where players cast spells by speaking Latin words into the microphone. The accurate Latin speech recognition added an extra layer of challenge and immersion. It stood out for making language proficiency a core game skill.

Lifeline is an interactive story game from 2015 that has players guide a stranded astronaut through making survival decisions by speaking dialogue options out loud. Its conversational interface using natural speech made for an innovative and engaging storytelling experience.

The Future of Voice in Gaming

Voice control technology is still in the early stages of development for gaming, but is poised for major advancements and expanded applications in the future. As both hardware and software improve, voice recognition accuracy will also increase, providing a more seamless and intuitive gameplay experience.

New techniques like natural language processing and conversational AI will allow for more natural voice interactions. Rather than memorizing specific commands, players may be able to have free-form conversations with in-game characters or AI assistants. This could enable richer roleplaying and storyline possibilities in immersive games.

Voice may also expand beyond controlling on-screen actions to actually generating game content. Some experimental systems already allow users to describe a scene or character verbally, which an AI then renders into imagery. As these generative capabilities evolve, players may be able to narrate and shape aspects of the game environment just through voice.

For competitive multiplayer games, voice chat between teammates could be automatically transcribed and analyzed by an AI ‘coach’ which provides strategic advice. Voice data could also enable more expressive avatars that react realistically during gameplay based on the player’s tone and emotions.

As gaming moves to AR and VR platforms, voice recognition will likely play an integral role. Speaking naturally to interact with virtual worlds could greatly enhance the sense of immersion. VR gameplay itself may even be controlled largely through voice at some point for convenience.

While there are still challenges to overcome, from privacy concerns to preventing abuse, voice clearly has enormous potential to transform gaming experiences. As the technology continues developing hand-in-hand with new game designs, the future possibilities are wide open.

Playing Tips for Voice Controlled Games

When playing games with voice control, there are some tips that can help maximize the experience.

First, make sure your microphone and audio setup is optimized for clear speech recognition. Position the microphone close to your mouth so it can pick up your voice commands clearly without background noise interference. Test the microphone setup in a short voice command calibration session. Adjust the microphone gain so your speech is loud and clear.

Speak clearly and enunciate words fully when giving voice commands. Don’t mumble or trail off at the end of sentences. Pace your speech at a natural cadence without rushing through commands. Take the time to say each word fully and clearly. This will increase the accuracy of the speech recognition software.

Learn any keyboard shortcuts or specific commands used in the game. Look up the voice command lists so you know what phrases to say to execute different actions. Memorize or print out a list of common voice commands for quick reference during gameplay. Start with basic movement and action commands first.

When first starting out, speak commands slowly and repeat back confirmations to check that the game recognized your voice properly. As you practice more, you can speed up your command delivery once you become accustomed to the speech patterns the software expects. Just be sure to enunciate clearly at all times.

Use push-to-talk keys if the game supports it, to avoid accidentally triggering unwanted commands. Toggling voice input on only when you want to issue a command can prevent errant controls. Position any push-to-talk keys within easy reach on your controller or keyboard.

Experiment with adjusting the voice recognition confidence thresholds if the software is frequently misinterpreting your speech. Higher thresholds will prevent false activations but may require more precise diction. Lower thresholds make the software more sensitive but also more prone to mistakes. Find the right balance for your setup.

Finally, don’t get frustrated. Voice recognition is not 100% perfect. It will take some practice to get used to speaking commands fluidly during intense gameplay. But with some tweaking and experience, voice controls can become a fun and immersive way to play games.

Accessibility Applications

Voice control technology has become an invaluable tool for disabled gamers, allowing them to fully engage with games that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to play. According to The Verge, voice controls help mitigate the challenges of limited motor function that many disabled gamers face when using a traditional controller. By speaking commands, gamers can circumvent the need for quick, precise button presses or movements.

There are now many software options that facilitate voice control in games. Programs like Dragon NaturallySpeaking allow users to map specific voice commands to keyboard presses and mouse movements. Some games even have voice control built directly into their accessibility options. For example, The Last of Us Part II integrated extensive voice command capabilities to enable navigation and combat. This first-party accessibility shows how voice technology is making gaming more inclusive.

While latency between commands and in-game actions can present challenges, voice control opens up countless gaming possibilities for disabled players. It demonstrates how thoughtful technology implementation can break down barriers to enjoyment and participation.

Conclusion

Voice controlled gaming has come a long way in recent years. With advancements in natural language processing and speech recognition technology, games can now be fully controlled using just your voice. This opens up new possibilities for gameplay and allows for a more immersive, hands-free experience.

As we’ve discussed, voice controls can enhance accessibility and convenience for many players. Major titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty now integrate advanced voice command capabilities to empower players. And with AI assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant expanding their skills, the potential for voice in gaming is only growing.

However, some challenges remain. Accurate speech recognition in noisy environments is still imperfect. And voice controls may not be ideal for all games and situations. But with time, these limitations will likely be overcome. For now, voice presents an exciting new frontier for the future of gaming.