Microsoft Introduces Speech-to-Text Transcription for Xbox Party Chat

In a push for greater accessibility, Microsoft is now introducing a new speech-to-text function to its Xbox Party Chat.

Previously available only for in-game chats, the transcription feature will now cover regular Party Chat conversations, and will convert the words you speak into written text that’ll then be displayed in an adjustable, overlaid text box on top of your gameplay. On the flip side, there’ll also be text-to-speech synthesis which will read out the text you type and enter through a synthetic voice to the rest of your party members. Microsoft says that these new features are aimed to help those who are deaf, hard of hearing or simply wish not to speak in Party Chat.

“We strive to make Xbox the most inclusive gaming platform on the planet, and a key part of this journey is introducing more accessible experiences for our players,” an announcement from the gaming company reads. “Although we already offer game transcription for converting in-game player speech to text and reading chat text that you type to other players aloud, we knew there were opportunities to improve.”

For those on the Xbox platform, Party Chat’s new speech-to-text function is now live, and you can access the options through your settings menu.

Elsewhere in gaming, Sony has released two new colorways for the PlayStation 5 DualSense controllers.