VRChat
Developer(s)VRChat Inc.
Publisher(s)VRChat Inc.
Designer(s)
  • Graham Gaylor
  • Jesse Joudrey
EngineUnity[1]
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows, Oculus Quest, Steam VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Android, PICO 4
Release
  • Microsoft Windows, Oculus Rift
  • January 16, 2014
  • Steam
  • February 1, 2017
  • HTC Vive
  • September 13, 2017
  • Oculus Quest
  • December 11, 2018
  • Android (Alpha)
  • August 22, 2023
  • PICO 4
  • November 09, 2023
Genre(s)Massively multiplayer online
Mode(s)Multiplayer

VRChat is an online virtual world platform created by Graham Gaylor and Jesse Joudrey[2] and operated by VRChat, Inc. The platform allows users to interact with others with user-created 3D avatars and worlds. VRChat is designed primarily for use with virtual reality headsets, such as the Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest series, SteamVR headsets (such as HTC Vive), and Windows Mixed Reality, but is also usable without VR in a "desktop" mode designed for either a mouse and keyboard or gamepad.

VRChat was first released as a Windows application for the Oculus Rift DK1 prototype on January 16, 2014, and was later released to the Steam early access program on February 1, 2017.

Features

Players in VRChat

VRChat's gameplay is similar to that of games such as Second Life and Habbo Hotel.[3] The game is made up of thousands of connected worlds,[4] in which players can interact with each other through virtual avatars.[3] Avatars and worlds are created and uploaded by their users[4] using a software development kit for Unity released alongside the game.[3] Player avatars are capable of supporting lip syncing, eye tracking, and blinking, in addition to mimicking head and hand motion.[5][3] Trends and variations of avatars spread through the community like memes, and avatars themselves are often distributed for free, or sold through online marketplaces such as Booth.[4]

VRChat is also capable of running in "desktop mode" without a VR headset, which is controlled using either a mouse and keyboard or a gamepad. Some limitations exist in desktop mode, such as the inability to freely move an avatar's limbs,[6] or perform interactions that require more than one hand.

In 2020, VRChat introduced Udon, a visual programming language which uses a node graph system. While still considered alpha software, it became usable on publicly-accessible worlds beginning in April 2020.[7] A third-party compiler, UdonSharp, was developed to allow world scripts to be written in C#.[8] In 2022, support for the Open Sound Control (OSC) protocol was added for more advanced interactions with external software and devices.[9] Later in the year, VRChat began to implement a secondary application—"Creator Companion"—for managing projects and downloading community packages using a Unity Package Manager (UPM)-compatible format.[10] The previous VRChat SDK2 was deprecated in February 2023, with the Udon-based "SDK3" becoming mandatory for all future content.[11]

Trust and safety

Users of VRChat are classified into various "trust levels", based on factors such as their use of the platform. All users begin at the "Visitor" rank (grey). When promoted to "New User" (blue) rank, they are given the ability to upload their own content using the VRChat SDK. This is followed by "User" (green), "Known User" (orange), "Trusted User" (purple), and friends (yellow). Users can choose to toggle communications, avatars, and avatar features based on their trust level. Additionally, users can gain a "Nuisance" rank (grey) after gaining too many infractions, such as being muted, and having all communications, avatars, and avatar features blocked.[12]

VRChat Plus

In November 2020, the service announced the VRChat Plus subscription service. On launch, it allows users to display a custom avatar image on their nameplates, increases the number of avatars they can save in their favorites from 50 to 300, grants them an "increased trust rating", and allows them to attach an in-game photo to an invite request. Other exclusive features for subscribers are also in development.[13][14][15]

Hardware support

VRChat has extensive support for a large number of PC-compatible VR headsets and accessories, including Oculus (Rift), and SteamVR-compatible headsets such as the HTC Vive series and Valve Index. VRChat is also available as a native app for Meta Quest, which supports cross-platform play with PC users; due to hardware limitations, only worlds and avatars compiled for Android and optimized within specific constraints can be accessed on the Meta Quest version.[16] In March 2023, it was announced that a version of VRChat was in development for Android touchscreen devices (smartphones and tablets), which is compatible with content built for Meta Quest;[17] it was initially released in a closed beta for VRChat Plus subscribers on August 18, 2023.[18] A future iOS port was also announced.[17] In November 2023, VRChat was launched on PICO 4.[19]

Finger tracking and gesture recognition is supported on controllers such as the Index Controller and Oculus Touch, allowing users' finger movements to be reflected by their avatar, and hand poses to trigger linked animations (such as a corresponding facial expression).[20][21] VRChat also supports SteamVR full-body tracking for motion capture of waist and leg motions, typically by using HTC's Vive Tracker peripherals or alternative devices (such as Kinect).[22][23]

Community

VRChat's popularity has been attributed to use by YouTubers and Twitch streamers.[3] VRChat has spawned media such as a weekly newspaper in its forums, and talk shows and podcasts dedicated to a discussion of the game.[3]

After an initial wave of viral popularity upon its release, the platform saw a steady increase in concurrent users with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and direct quarantine policies. There were recorded spikes in viewership of VRChat-related Twitch streams in mid-2020 and September 2020.[24] The service reported a record of over 24,000 concurrent users over the Halloween weekend (with over half using it on a VR platform), spurred by holiday events and the recent release of the Oculus Quest 2.[24]

On December 31, 2020, the service recorded a new record of over 40,000 concurrent users for New Year's Eve, to the point that it experienced a major outage around midnight in the Eastern Time Zone due to a security provider having mistaken the surge as a denial-of-service attack.[25]

Ugandan Knuckles

VRChat gave rise to a meme known as "Ugandan Knuckles", in which players use crude in-game models of Knuckles the Echidna from the Sonic the Hedgehog series while repeating the catchphrase "Do you know the way?" in a mock African accent.[26] The players' model and mannerisms originated in a review by YouTuber Gregzilla and Forsen's Twitch stream respectively, in addition to lines from the Ugandan movie Who Killed Captain Alex?[27] This has generated controversy from many sources; Polygon's Julia Alexander labelled it "blatantly racist" and a "problematic meme", comparing it to Habbo Hotel raids,[28] and Jay Hathaway of The Daily Dot called it a "racist caricature".[27] The creator of the 3D model used in the meme expressed regret for having made it, and urged players that they "do not use this to bug the users of VRChat."[29] In response, the developers of the game published an open letter on Medium, stating that they were developing "new systems to allow the community to better self moderate" and asking users to use the built-in muting features.[30]

Music and dance

The platform has attracted various music-oriented communities and events; dancers have leveraged full-body tracking support to give virtual performances and classes within VRChat, including ballet, breaking, and pole dance.[22]

Online dance music events have also occurred on VRChat, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. They are organized by collectives such as Loner Online, take place within virtual nightclubs, and sometimes simulcast on live streaming platforms such as Twitch. Loner's world was noted by an NME writer for its attention to detail in recreating an underground club experience, right down to having bathroom stalls.[31][32] In partnership with the VRChat-based electronic music festival SlyFest, British drum and bass producer Muzz organized a virtual concert tour consisting of headlining appearances at multiple VRChat events in 2021, including support from other producers such as Feint, Mollie Collins, and Teddy Killerz.[33]

In June 2020, French electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre presented a virtual concert experience in VRChat, "Alone Together".[34] On December 31, 2020, Jarre presented a second virtual concert for New Year's Eve, "Welcome to the Other Side", which was broadcast across other radio, television, and online platforms from outside of the Notre-Dame cathedral, and featured an interactive companion experience on VRChat, taking place in a world recreating its interior.[35]

Reception

Safety and security

In February 2022, a BBC News report accused the service of not providing enough safeguards to prevent minors from entering worlds that may contain adult themes and interactions.[36]

On July 25, 2022, VRChat announced that it would implement Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) in order to protect against prohibited modifications to the client. The announcement specifically cited griefers using mods designed to crash other users out of VRChat sessions, as well as issues with account hijacking.[9] The announcement led to widespread backlash from the community, citing that some users had legitimate uses for modded clients, mainly to add quality of life (QoL) features that had not yet been added to the software, including additional accessibility features (such as allowing the display of subtitles on video players in worlds). The software was subsequently review bombed on Steam, while some community members urged others to cancel their Plus subscriptions. A spokesperson stated to Motherboard that its introduction of features such as OSC support had "enabled our users to have an entirely new dimension of creativity, as well as the ability to build accessibility tools to fit their needs".[9]

In response to the criticism, VRChat announced that it had amended its development roadmap in order to prioritize the addition of a number of new accessibility and QoL features that had been highly requested by the community, with some being scheduled for shipment by the end of the following week.[37][38]

See also

  • AltspaceVR – A platform providing meeting spaces in virtual reality[39]
  • Sansar – A social virtual reality platform with a near-identical premise[39]
  • Metaverse – Term for a collective three-dimensional virtual shared space
  • NeosVR – A massively multiplayer online virtual reality game
  • High Fidelity – A virtual reality platform featuring an economy built on blockchain[40][41]
  • We Met in Virtual Reality - A 2022 documentary film centered on players in VRChat

References

  1. ↑ "Currently Supported Unity Version". VRChat. Archived from the original on August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  2. ↑ "VRChat enters the creator economy". Tubefilter. 2023-05-23. Archived from the original on 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Alexander, Julia (December 22, 2017). "VRChat is a bizarre phenomenon that has Twitch, YouTube obsessed". Polygon. Vox Media, Inc. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "Getting Dressed for the Metaverse". Esquire. August 9, 2022. Archived from the original on September 9, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
  5. ↑ Forrest, Derek (February 1, 2017). "'VRChat' Is A Social Platform, A Dev Sandbox, And A Step In The Right Direction". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  6. ↑ Jecks, Chris (January 8, 2018). "VRChat: Do You Need a VR Headset to Play?". Twinfinite. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  7. ↑ Tupper (2020-04-01). "Introducing VRChat Udon: Unlocking Coding for Creators". VRChat. Archived from the original on 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  8. ↑ "「VRChat向け自動更新ポスターまとめ」の使い方 | PANORA" (in Japanese). 2021-09-06. Archived from the original on 2021-12-01. Retrieved 2021-12-01.
  9. 1 2 3 Taylor, Mollie (2022-07-26). "VRChat is being review bombed to hell and back after anti-cheat announcement". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 2022-08-02. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  10. ↑ "The VRChat Creator Companion is Now Live!". VRChat. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  11. ↑ "Choosing your SDK". VRChat. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  12. ↑ "VRChat Safety and Trust System". VRChat. Archived from the original on 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  13. ↑ Hayden, Scott (2020-12-07). "'VRChat' Launches Premium Membership, Now in 'Early Supporter' Phase on Steam". Road to VR. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  14. ↑ Baker, Harry (4 December 2020). "VRChat Plus, Paid Subscription Option, Now Available On Steam". UploadVR. Archived from the original on 2021-02-26. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  15. ↑ "VRChat 2021.1.2". VRChat. 2 Feb 2021. Archived from the original on 5 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  16. ↑ "Here's How VRChat Will Work On Oculus Quest". UploadVR. 11 April 2019. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  17. 1 2 Hayden, Scott (2023-03-31). "'VRChat' Flatscreen Version Now in Development for Android and iOS". Road to VR. Archived from the original on 2023-05-30. Retrieved 2023-05-30.
  18. ↑ "VRChat Mobile Alpha Now Available On Android". UploadVR. 2023-08-18. Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  19. ↑ "VRChat Is Now Available On Pico 4", www.uploadvr.com
  20. ↑ "Oculus Touch". VRChat. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  21. ↑ "Valve Index Controllers". VRChat. Archived from the original on 2021-02-20. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  22. 1 2 Moss, Gabriel (2018-11-30). "VRChat's Full-Body Tracking Attracts Pole Dancers, Breakdancers and More". VR Fitness Insider. Archived from the original on 2021-02-25. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  23. ↑ Carbotte, Kevin (16 September 2017). "You Can Use A Kinect For Full Body Tracking In SteamVR; Here's How". Tom's Hardware. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  24. 1 2 Lang, Ben (2020-11-04). "Spurred by Quest 2 Launch, 'VRChat' Hits Record 24,000 Concurrent Users, More Than Half in VR". Road to VR. Archived from the original on 2021-02-03. Retrieved 2021-01-03.
  25. ↑ Tupper (2021-01-05). "VRChat's New Years 2021 — or, what the $%@& was that?". VRChat. Archived from the original on 2023-07-03. Retrieved 2021-01-09.
  26. ↑ MacGregor, Collin (January 9, 2018). "Controversial 'Ugandan Knuckles' Meme Has Infested VRChat". Heavy.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  27. 1 2 Hathaway, Jay (January 10, 2018). "How Ugandan Knuckles turned VRChat into a total trollfest". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2018.
  28. ↑ Alexander, Julia (January 8, 2018). "'Ugandan Knuckles' is overtaking VRChat". Polygon. Vox Media, Inc. Archived from the original on January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  29. ↑ Tamburro, Paul (January 8, 2018). "Creator of VRChat's 'Ugandan Knuckles' Meme Regrets His Decision". GameRevolution. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  30. ↑ Alexander, Julia (January 10, 2018). "VRChat team speaks up on player harassment in open letter". Polygon. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Staying in to go out: exploring the VRChat club scene". NME. 2021-05-28. Archived from the original on 2021-10-29. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  32. ↑ "LONER Online Pushes the Boundaries of Gaming and Night Clubbing on VRChat [Interview]". Your EDM. 2020-11-27. Archived from the original on 2021-10-20. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  33. ↑ Meadow, Matthew (2021-04-05). "MUZZ Will Launch Virtual Reality Tour With Teddy Killerz, Feint, & More". Your EDM. Archived from the original on 2023-08-27. Retrieved 2023-08-27.
  34. ↑ "French Musician Jean-Michel Jarre To Perform In VRChat This Weekend". UploadVR. 18 June 2020. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-12.
  35. ↑ Ewing, Jerry (January 5, 2021). "Jean-Michel Jarre celebrates 75million viewers for NYE show". Louder Sound. Archived from the original on April 5, 2021. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Metaverse app allows kids into virtual strip clubs". BBC News. 2022-02-23. Archived from the original on 2022-07-22. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
  37. ↑ "Addressing your Feedback". VRChat. Archived from the original on 2022-08-06. Retrieved 2022-07-28.
  38. ↑ Lang, Ben (2022-07-27). "One of VR's Most Popular Social Games is Getting Review Bombed Over Latest Update". Road to VR. Archived from the original on 2022-07-30. Retrieved 2022-07-30.
  39. 1 2 Wilde, Tyler (January 10, 2018). "VRChat's surge in popularity has created a bizarre scene". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on January 12, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018. Second Life developer Linden Lab has been working on a similar concept, called Sansar, Microsoft now has the reins of Altspace, and there are surely many other sandbox-y VR social experiences in the works.
  40. ↑ Kushner, David (30 January 2017). "Beyond Second Life: Philip Rosedale's Gutsy Plan for a New Virtual-Reality Empire". IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News. Archived from the original on 2017-02-01. Retrieved 2019-08-22.
  41. ↑ Ha, Anthony (2013-04-19). "True Ventures Confirms Investment In Second Life Founder Philip Rosedale's New Startup High Fidelity". TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 2013-04-20. Retrieved 2013-04-19.
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