Minecraft wiki entry for Command_blocks_and_functions, associated text: Another use of /say is talking NPCs and other mobs. Imagine you enter a butchery and you want the butcher to say something. Usually, you might use signs or books, using up room in the butchery and having seemingly random objects strewn around a map. With the /say command you can make the butcher talk. Maybe a pig behind the counter could even beg for mercy! Let's take another example: you are in a factory and an alarm suddenly rings and says in chat it will explode. Having it in the chat, especially if the text is long, keeps the stressful mood; the same thing works for bomb timers. The situation might feel tenser if the chat displays '10..' '9..' 8..' individually as well.