Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about how OmeBate works.
What is OmeBate?
OmeBate is a live voice debating platform where you argue a topic against a random opponent or an AI. After both sides have spoken, a neutral AI judge reviews the full transcript and delivers a scored verdict — picking a winner based on logic, evidence, and delivery. Think of it as competitive debate made accessible: no club membership required, no preparation needed, just talk.
How do voice debates work?
When you start or join a debate, your microphone opens and a countdown begins. You and your opponent take turns speaking for the agreed duration — typically three minutes each. Your speech is transcribed in real time. When both sides have finished, the AI judge reads the complete transcript and scores each debater across three categories before declaring a winner.
How does the AI judge decide a winner?
The AI judge evaluates the full debate transcript using a structured prompt that includes the topic, each side's position, and everything said. It scores both debaters independently on Logic (how well-reasoned your arguments were), Evidence (the facts, examples, and support you cited), and Delivery (how clearly and confidently you communicated). The side with the higher overall score wins. Neither debater sees the result until after the debate ends.
What does each scoring category mean?
Logic measures the structure and coherence of your arguments — whether your reasoning follows from your premises and avoids logical fallacies. Evidence measures how well you supported your claims with facts, statistics, real-world examples, or expert opinion. Delivery measures how clearly and persuasively you communicated, including pace, confidence, and staying on topic. All three categories contribute to your final score.
How long is a debate?
The standard debate round is three minutes per side, giving both debaters equal speaking time. OmeBate Premium members can unlock six-minute and nine-minute rounds for more in-depth discussions. The length you choose applies to both sides equally — there are no longer rounds for one debater than the other.
Can I choose which side of the argument I argue?
Yes. When you create a debate in multiplayer mode you pick whether you are arguing For (Pro) or Against (Con) the motion. Your opponent automatically takes the opposite side. In solo mode against the AI, you also select your side before the debate begins. In ranked mode the system assigns sides to keep things fair.
What topics can I debate?
You can debate almost any topic. The debate new page lets you pick from trending debates, all-time favourites, and recent suggestions from the community. You can also type your own motion entirely from scratch. Popular categories include technology and society, politics and democracy, ethics and philosophy, environment and climate, education, economics, science and medicine, and sport and culture. The only restriction is that topics must comply with our community guidelines.
How do I find someone to debate?
Go to the Multiplayer page and choose Create to start a room or Join to enter a room code. You can also use Ranked mode to be matched automatically with an opponent at a similar skill level. If you want to practice privately without a stranger, Solo mode lets you debate against an AI opponent instead.
What is Ranked mode?
Ranked mode is competitive matchmaking where you are paired with an opponent at a similar skill level. Winning ranked debates earns you ELO rating points and raises your position on the global leaderboard. Losing costs points. The system aims to match you with opponents where both sides have a fair chance of winning, so your rank reflects genuine skill rather than easy wins.
How does the ELO ranking system work?
ELO is a rating system originally developed for chess that calculates expected win probabilities based on both players' current ratings. If you beat a higher-rated opponent you gain more points than if you beat a lower-rated one. Similarly, losing to a stronger opponent costs fewer points than losing to a weaker one. Your ELO rating starts at a default value and moves up or down after every ranked debate depending on the outcome and the rating gap between you and your opponent.
What is Solo mode?
Solo mode lets you debate against an AI opponent instead of a real person. It is a great way to practise arguments on a new topic, test your speaking speed, or get comfortable with the format before entering ranked or multiplayer debates. Free users can choose from Easy, Medium, or Hard difficulty. Premium members unlock additional personality modes including the Politician, the Nerd, the Bully, the Conspiracy Theorist, and more.
What are the AI opponent personalities?
AI opponents in solo mode each have a distinct debating style. Easy is relaxed and beatable but still argues back. Medium gives a fair fight with decent arguments. Hard is sharper and more precise. The Politician dodges questions and avoids direct answers. The Nerd overwhelms you with facts and statistics. The Bully is loud, cocky, and dismissive. The Baby whines and complains. The Emotional opponent takes everything personally. The Conspiracy Theorist believes everything is a cover-up. The Yes Man agrees with you first but still argues anyway. Premium is required for all personality modes beyond the three difficulty tiers.
Can I watch debates without participating?
Yes. The Live Debates page shows all active and recently finished public rooms. You can filter by status (live, waiting on verdict, finished), search by topic or player name, and click any room to watch. Finished debates display the full verdict and scores alongside the debate details.
Is my audio recorded or stored?
Your audio is processed in real time to generate a live transcript. The AI judge reads the transcript, not the raw audio. We do not store your voice recording permanently. Please review our Privacy Policy for full details on how transcript data is handled and retained.
How do I improve my debate score?
The three highest-impact habits are: first, structure every argument clearly with a claim, a reason, and an example; second, speak with confidence and avoid long pauses, filler words, or trailing sentences; third, address your opponent's arguments directly rather than ignoring them. Practising regularly in solo mode against harder AI opponents is one of the fastest ways to improve, because you get immediate scored feedback on every debate without the pressure of a live opponent.
What is OmeBate Premium?
OmeBate Premium is a monthly subscription (£2.49 per month) that unlocks quality-of-life upgrades for regular users: six and nine-minute debate rounds, the full range of AI opponent personalities, transcript export so you can save your debates, and a cleaner verdict screen without the ad break. Premium does not affect the fairness of the AI judge — the same scoring model is used for free and premium users alike.
Is OmeBate free to use?
Yes. You can sign up, debate strangers in multiplayer, compete in ranked mode, watch live debates, and practice against Easy, Medium, or Hard AI opponents entirely for free. Premium adds comfort features and expanded solo options for users who debate frequently. There is no paywall on core gameplay.
Do I need to create an account?
You need an account to participate in debates and appear on the leaderboard. Signing up takes under a minute via email or a third-party provider. You can browse the Live Debates page and read public verdicts without an account.
What happens if my opponent disconnects mid-debate?
If your opponent disconnects during a debate the room handles the disconnection gracefully. Depending on when the disconnect happens, the debate may end early with the available transcript judged, or the room may wait briefly for a reconnection. You will not be penalised in your ranked rating for an opponent disconnecting.
How do I report a problem or a user?
If you encounter a technical issue, please use the feedback link in the app or contact us via the details in our Terms of Service. If another user is breaking our Community Guidelines — through harassment, spam, or inappropriate topics — please report the debate using the in-room report option. Our team reviews reports and takes action under the enforcement rules in our Community Guidelines.
Is OmeBate available on mobile?
OmeBate runs in any modern browser on desktop and mobile. No app download is required. For the best voice debate experience we recommend using a device with a good microphone and a stable internet connection. Chrome on Android and Safari on iOS both support the voice features used for live debates.
What browsers are supported?
OmeBate is tested on the latest versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, and Microsoft Edge. Chrome generally provides the most reliable microphone and audio handling for live debates. If you experience issues with your microphone not being detected, check that the browser has permission to access your microphone in your system settings.