Plantronics Gamecom
Gaming sub-brand of Plantronics, created in 2004.
Plantronics GameCom is the gaming-focused sub-brand of Plantronics, officially trademarked as Plantronics GameCom. Although Plantronics had been making gaming headsets since 1999, the GameCom brand was launched in 2004 to unify its gaming headset lineup. Since then, GameCom has produced headsets for both console and PC gaming, organized gaming tournaments, and backed professional esports teams.
Plantronics first entered the PC gaming headset market in 1999 with its .Audio line, including the .Audio 90 analog headset, and later a series of USB headsets, most notably the DSP-500. In 2002, Plantronics partnered with Microsoft to develop the first headset for the Xbox Communicator, enabling voice chat on Xbox Live. The following year, Plantronics and Valve released a Counter-Strike-branded headset based on the DSP-500.
In 2004, following strong sales of the DSP-500 and Xbox Communicator headsets, Plantronics announced the GameCom brand with four new headsets: the GameCom X10 and X20 for Xbox Communicator, and the GameCom 1 (analog) and GameCom Pro 1 (with a built-in USB sound card). That October, the GameCom Halo 2 Edition—a wired monaural headset designed for Halo 2 on Xbox Live—was released.
GameCom became the official licensee of the Xbox Communicator and headset bundle, releasing the GameCom X10C for the Xbox 360 in 2005. In 2006, three new Xbox 360 headsets—the GameCom X10, X20, and X30—were launched, with the X30 winning a CES 2007 Best of Innovations award in the Electronic Gaming category. Plantronics expanded its PC offerings in 2008 with the GameCom 777, which featured virtual 5.1 Dolby Surround sound, alongside the GameCom 367 and 377.
In 2010, GameCom released the wireless GameCom X95 for Xbox 360, as well as the wired GameCom X40. It also entered the PlayStation 3 market with the wireless GameCom P90, which could connect to mobile phones. The GameCom 777 received a CES Innovations Design and Engineering award in 2011. In January 2012, the GameCom 380 (analog) and GameCom 780 (digital) were released, with the 780 offering optional Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound.
GameCom sponsored professional teams and clans, including PMS Clan at ESWC 2008 in Paris and Frag Dolls at PAX 2008. It also sponsored Team Dynamic for games like Counter-Strike: Source and League of Legends.
Quick Facts
- Hq Location
- Santa Cruz, California, U.S.
- Industry
- Consumer electronics
- Products
- headsets
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Plantronics entered the PC gaming headset market in 1999 with the .Audio line, including the .Audio 90 analog headset, followed by USB headsets such as the DSP-500. In 2002, Plantronics partnered with Microsoft to create the first headset for the Xbox Communicator, enabling voice communication with Xbox Live. A Counter-Strike branded headset based on the DSP-500 was released with Valve in June 2003.
In 2004, Plantronics announced the GameCom brand with four new headsets: the GameCom X10 and X20 for Xbox Communicator, and the GameCom 1 (analog) and GameCom Pro 1 (USB with digital signal processing). Later that year, the GameCom Halo 2 Edition—a custom wired monaural headset for Halo 2 on Xbox Live—was released. In 2006, three Xbox 360 headsets (X10, X20, X30) were released, with the X30 winning a CES 2007 award. The GameCom 777, featuring virtual 5.1 Dolby Surround sound, launched in 2008 alongside the 367 and 377.
In 2010, the wireless GameCom X95 and wired X40 were released for Xbox 360, and the GameCom P90 entered the PlayStation 3 wireless headset market with mobile phone connectivity. In 2012, the GameCom 380 (analog) and GameCom 780 (digital with optional Dolby 7.1 virtual surround sound) were released. GameCom sponsored professional teams including PMS Clan, Frag Dolls, and Team Dynamic, and hosted the North America Qualifier rounds for ESWC 2012.
Reader's Guide
Plantronics GameCom's significance lies in its early and sustained presence in both console and PC gaming audio markets. The brand originated from Plantronics' 1999 entry into PC gaming headsets and its 2002 partnership with Microsoft for the Xbox Communicator, which established a foundation for voice communication in online console gaming. The 2004 creation of the GameCom brand formalized this focus, with headsets like the Halo 2 Edition directly tied to major game releases. The brand's technical contributions include early adoption of USB digital signal processing (GameCom Pro 1), virtual surround sound (GameCom 777 with Dolby 5.1, later 780 with Dolby 7.1), and wireless audio for consoles (GameCom X95, P90). Awards such as the CES 2007 Best of Innovations for the X30 and the 2011 CES Innovations award for the 777 reflect industry recognition. GameCom's sponsorship of professional teams and hosting of ESWC 2012 qualifiers demonstrates its role in competitive gaming infrastructure. The brand's legacy is that of a dedicated gaming audio line that evolved alongside gaming platforms and online multiplayer, from early Xbox Live headsets to modern surround-sound PC headsets.
Did You Know?
- The GameCom brand was created in 2004, though Plantronics had produced gaming headsets since 1999.
- The GameCom Halo 2 Edition was a custom wired monaural headset built specifically for playing Halo 2 online with Xbox Live.
- GameCom hosted the North America Qualifier rounds for the 2012 Electronic Sports World Cup for League of Legends, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike: GO.
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