So do gamers care about the in-game chat tools provided within a multiplayer game? The short answer is yes.
When we surveyed 1,400 gamers across the globe, they told us that when it comes to choosing the next game to play, social features are a prime decision driver.
Game genre aside, the second and third most important game features center around social connection – with the ability to chat with friends in-game and having friends already playing the game being key decision factors.
Prospective gamers want to pick up a game that their friends are playing and chat with them while they play. Providing an in-game chat option to facilitate that connection within the game is a priority, as gamers prefer an in-game option rather than using a separate app or device.
Source: Unity Technologies Blog