Overtime online video games have evolved into social platforms where players communicate via text and voice chat during gameplay. These communication features are commonly used to coordinate in-game actions and develop strategies together. While many games are designed for single players and do not include communication tools, most multiplayer games offer chat functions. These are usually limited to ensure that the focus remains on gameplay. Let’s have a look at how chat functions in video games work and which tools are in place to maintain safe online game environments.
What are in-game chats?
A game chat is a communication feature built directly into a video game, allowing players to communicate with each other while playing, without using external apps such as Discord, WhatsApp or Instagram. Players can communicate via text messages, voice chat or both. The purpose of game chat is to support coordination, cooperation and interaction within the game. Publishers can moderate communication within their own games, but they do not have control over conversations on external platforms.
In-game chats are actively moderated by human moderators and increasingly supported by AI systems. Game publishers do this to prevent toxic behaviour. In cases of serious or repeated violations, players may temporarily or permanently lose access to (parts of) a game and companies may even report players to the police or other authorities in exceptional cases, such as serious threats.
What can players do in a game chat?
Players typically exchange text or voice messages and may use limited features like emojis, preset messages or in‑game signals. The main goal remains to play together and communicate about the gameplay itself. In games, chat is focused on the gameplay, rather than on sharing personal media. This helps keep the environment clearer, safer and more enjoyable, especially for younger players.
What about sharing personal images?
Game chats are limited to text, voice and pre-moderated communication. These features are built into games to enhance gameplay, for example to coordinate actions or respond strategically to in-game situations. Sharing personal photos is not part of video game environments and uploading personal images is therefore blocked.
Allowing the sharing of personal images could create risks, including the distribution of illegal content such as CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material). This refers to images (photos, videos and sometimes drawings or other visual content) depicting sexual abuse of minors. By not allowing the free sharing of personal images, game platforms reduce several risks at once:
- it prevents the distribution of CSAM
- it reduces the risk of harmful practices such as grooming or recruitment into violent or sadistic online groups
- it helps detect and address abuse more quickly
As a result, chat functions remain focused on gameplay interaction, while sensitive or potentially harmful communication is limited. This aligns with broader safety principles in online video games, where communication channels are designed to discourage misuse and simplify moderation.
Privacy also plays an important role: fewer file-sharing options mean a lower risk that personal or sensitive information – such as photos of children – ends up in the wrong hands.
What visuals can players share?
Although personal photos or videos cannot be shared, some forms of visual communication are allowed. For example, players can share gameplay images created using screenshot or built-in recording features of the game or platform itself. These images remain within the game ecosystem and are managed or restricted by the game platform. They are typically used to showcase gameplay, share achievements or capture memorable in-game moments, not to share personal content.
Reporting and blocking mechanisms
In addition to technical safeguards, it is important that players can also take action when they feel unsafe. Blocking and reporting other players is an essential tool to ensure safe and responsible gameplay. Popular games and platforms such as Roblox, Fortnite and Minecraft offer clear tools to report inappropriate behavior or block users.
Regulatory context
PEGI’s Code of Conduct requires that in-game communication meets certain standards for safe online gameplay. In addition, PEGI’s age rating criteria include interactive risk categories, such as the ability to block or report other players. If these safety features are not present, a game may receive a higher age rating, such as PEGI 18, indicating that the game is not suitable for players under 18. These criteria encourage game developers to include safety features by design, helping to create safer online game environments.
Other related articles
Step by step visual instructions to block or report players in Minecraft, Fortnite or Roblox
