Vivox launches its next-generation game chat for gamers on the run

Vivox has become the voice of gamers in online communications. Today, the company has launched C3, its most comprehensive game communications platform to date for gamers who want to chat with each other in online matches.

Natick, Mass.-based Vivox enables social communication “anytime, anywhere and on any device” with the C3 platform. It requires no server rental, setup or hosting and is available free to users. It’s the kind of tool that the subculture of clans or guilds will embrace as an essential tool for planning raids or combat sessions in online games.

“C3 continues Vivox’s mission to create natural, easy voice communication within experiences, regardless of platform or device,” said Rob Seaver, co-founder and chief executive of Vivox. “C3 takes advantage of Vivox’s cross-platform technology, Facebook integration, and dial-out capabilities to extend the experience beyond the boundaries of the game to users’ friends and networks creating a more engaging and unifying experience.”

Vivox says it has built military-grade command and control into C3 for players of all skills. It features the ability to invite friends into a channel with a single click and it has a slick, customizable design and simple setup. Gamers can communicate with people outside the game through C3’s free dial-in/dial-out and access to free voice and text chat with Facebook friends. Users can moderate the group as needed and set up sub-channels or a hierarchy of speakers in groups.

Users can use the system to send out custom group messages and notifications to guilds or clans. They can create as many channels as they like.

Vivox has raised $20.6 million in three rounds from investors including IDG Ventures, Benchmark Capital, Canaan Partners and GrandBanks Capital. Vivox has 40 employees. Rivals include Dolby, Skype, Teamspeak and Ventrilo.