Do you hate having to type out everything to your groups in Champions Online and Star Trek Online? If you've felt that those two games could use a little voice you're in luck. Cryptic Studios has announced a new partnership with Vivox to integrate the voice platform service to its library of games.
The new partnership will add an in-game voice chat options for players, allowing easy communication with friends and group members. Vivox already provides voice chat support for a number of other games like Runes of Magic, Bloodline Champions and many others.

Cryptic Studios Finds Its Voice with Vivox

Vivox to provide HD voice chat for Cryptic’s award-winning online video games

NATICK, Mass.-Vivox, Inc. (www.vivox.com), the number one integrated voice platform for the Social Web, and Cryptic Studios, a leading developer of massively-multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPG) and a subsidiary of Atari, Inc., today announced a platform agreement that will integrate Vivox Voice services into all Cryptic titles.

Cryptic, the creators of City of Heroes, City of Villains, Champions Online: Free for All and Star Trek Online, has been an innovator in the gaming industry with the creation of a proprietary engine for the development of MMORPGs. Cryptic will also be expanding its portfolio with the launch of a new co-operative role-playing game, Neverwinter, in 2011. Vivox plays an integral role in the feature sets of Cryptic's upcoming games, as well as upgrading existing titles with in-game voice chat functionality.

Vivox Voice chat is a critical component for online games and has driven the adoption of many top-tier titles. The ability to instantly collaborate with fellow players – be it while taking down an enemy fleet in Star Trek Online or teaming up against an evil super villain in Champions Online – is irreplaceable during online gameplay. With the integration of voice chat into its games, Cryptic is providing its community with the most personal and social in-game experience available.

“We pride ourselves on bringing the best possible gaming experience to our players and community and are constantly evaluating options to improve our offerings,” said John Needham, CEO of Cryptic Studios. “We’ve seen Vivox in action in other titles and knew it would be a fantastic feature for our community. With the addition of voice chat into our portfolio, we know we are delivering the best communication option in the market, and are confident we are providing our players with the most immersive, exciting experience we can.”

“The opportunity to integrate Vivox Voice into titles with the reputation of Star Trek Online and City of Heroes is not something you come across everyday. To say we were excited is an understatement,” said Rob Seaver, CEO of Vivox. “Together with Cryptic we will work tirelessly to bring our best-in-class voice services to all of the studio’s titles and ensure their communities the ability to easily communicate while in-game. We look forward to building on this relationship for years – and many more games – to come.”

About Cryptic Studios

Based in Los Gatos, CA, Cryptic Studios is a leading developer of role-playing and massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Cryptic is responsible for developing several AAA titles, including Star Trek Online, Champions Online, City of Heroes, City of Villains and Neverwinter. For more information about Cryptic Studios, please visit the official website at: www.crypticstudios.com

About Vivox

Vivox is the number one integrated voice platform for the Social Web. With over 45 million users in 180+ countries exchanging more than 3 billion voice minutes each month, the Vivox Network is a proven and scalable way for social and game publishers to bring their users' experience to the next level. Through innovation and unique features, Vivox's partners, who currently include CCP Games, Linden Lab, Nexon, Sony Online Entertainment, Wargaming.net and others, are able to quickly excite, engage and monetize users while letting them talk online - wherever, whenever. For more information, visit: www.vivox.com.