With the advent of broadband, and more optimised net code, voice communications in games has practically become the norm. The most played games on the net, namely Counter Strike, Team Fortress Classic and Day of Defeat all now support it. A simple press and talk replaces frantic typing to send your important message to mates, keeping hands on the mouse and ‘fragging’ to the maximum.

Microsoft, being big players in the peripherals market, have been quick on the draw, and released the GameVoice in late 2000. Well known for putting a ‘twist’ on product’s features, such as the Windows button on keyboards or a wheel on mice for instance, the GameVoice features an innovative control pad as well as a Plantronics headset. This plugs into the USB, headphone and microphone ports on your computer, and then the headset is connected to the control pad. With 8 buttons, a volume dial and a speaker switch it’s not short of functionality, but its a disappointment that not all of it is supported in every game.

Plantronics headsets are heavily used in business and are probably the best selling in the world, so it is no surprise that partnered with them. The headset bundled with the GameVoice is a stylish silver with black highlights. The microphone boom is fully adjustable, and the headphone pads fit snugly on the ears, covering them well.

I put the set through the ultimate comfort test – a three-day LAN party. Personally, I find headphones generally hurt my ears after 4 or 5 hours wear, but these lasted a little longer. This is probably down to their adjustability, which allowed me to go that extra-mile without undue suffering.

The quality of the sound produced from the speakers is adequate for gaming, but Hi-Fi gurus won’t want to listen to their Vivaldi through them. After experimenting I found that the mic was best positioned about 2cm away from my mouth, so as not to distort when I spoke. The mic quality isn’t really an issue with these sets – the bandwidth limitations dramatically reduce the quality of the audio.

Plantronics headsets are not known in the gaming world as being the most durable and I can attest to this. One of the speakers has come free from its flimsy plastic housing, and the wire connecting the mic to the base of the headset is very loose, all in a matter of a few months testing.

In conclusion, the headset is a good buy if you plan to use it in conjunction with a supported game, but there are better products on the market if all you need is a bog standard set.

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By Jason Cartwright