Big Walk's voice chat isn't a convenience — it's the core mechanic. The game is built around being heard, and its audio engine treats the island as a real acoustic space.
How proximity voice works
- Voices fade with distance. Walk away from a teammate and they get quieter, until they're gone.
- Walls muffle. Speech passing through geometry is muffled — you'll hear the shape of the words, not the words.
- Enclosed spaces echo. Talking inside a room or cave changes your voice audibly, which is both atmosphere and information.
- There is no global channel. If someone isn't near you and isn't on the walkie-talkie, you cannot hear them. Period.
The walkie-talkie channel
The walkie-talkie is the only long-range voice option, and it behaves like one:
- One channel, always on. No toggling networks — it's a party channel.
- Crackle tells you it's working. The radio effect is diegetic: your voice is clearly "on radio" to the receiving end.
- It cuts through walls and distance, but it's a shared resource — everyone hears everyone, so keep transmissions short.
Using it as a team
When to use proximity
- Normal walking and puzzle work — the acoustic cues are part of the puzzle.
- Anything where "can you hear me through this wall?" is relevant (it usually is).
When to use the walkie-talkie
- Splitting the group — one person anchors, the rest report in.
- Calling out landmarks and routes while scouting ahead.
- Any time a player is out of sight for more than a minute.
A clean channel protocol
- Name who you're talking to: "Alex, the gate's on the east edge."
- Say what you need, not your life story: "Two people, green gate, now."
- Confirm receipt: "Copy." Costs nothing, saves everything.
Settings worth checking
Check the audio settings before you load in, and set these once:
- Voice mode — proximity (recommended for the intended experience).
- Walkie-talkie button — put it somewhere your thumb lives.
- Individual volumes — one loud friend at 200% ruins the proximity mix.
The game is worth playing with headphones, full stop.
Related: Beginner guide · Tips & tricks.