Sound Speed: SONIX’s Ultra-Fast Fix for Esports Communication

Nicolas Abele on revolutionizing how competitive gamers talk in real-time

From his base in Switzerland, SONIX CEO Nicolas Abele is tackling a problem many gamers don’t even know they have: audio lag. With technology born from a decade of research, his company is transforming how esports teams communicate. Here’s how SONIX is changing the game, millisecond by millisecond.

Q: What inspired you to start SONIX, and what problem were you trying to solve?

Five years ago, we realized competitive gamers were facing a hidden challenge. When using platforms like Discord, players experience over 200ms of communication delay – imagine trying to coordinate with teammates across a football stadium! Coming from a Swiss tech background, we saw an opportunity to apply a decade of ultra-low latency research to solve this. We’ve managed to reduce that delay to just a few milliseconds, which can make a crucial difference in competitive play.

Q: What sets SONIX’s technology apart in the esports space?

We’ve developed what testing shows is the world’s fastest audio communication technology, outperforming industry giants like Google, Microsoft, and Discord. But speed isn’t everything – our AIbased noise cancellation eliminates keyboard sounds and background distractions, delivering crystal-clear audio. For competitive players, this combination of speed and clarity is game-changing.

Q: How do you ensure your technology meets real competitive needs?

We spent nearly a year in beta testing with Tier 1 and Tier 2 esports teams, plus university squads. This hands-on approach, combined with our presence at major LAN events like DreamHack and Fragadelphia, has been crucial. We’re constantly gathering feedback and adapting our platform to match what tournament organizers and teams actually need.

Q: What excites you about the future of esports technology?

While there hasn’t been much innovation in esports communication lately – even with major investments from companies like Discord – we’re seeing an interesting trend. The future is moving toward a hybrid model where fans can support their teams during live events from home, feeling like they’re right there on stage. That’s where we see technology making the next big leap.

Q: How has being part of ESTA influenced your company’s direction?

Being involved with ESTA for the past two years has been invaluable. The association’s cross-disciplinary approach brings together every part of the esports ecosystem. It’s helping us understand not just where esports is today, but where it’s heading tomorrow

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