[Jhsto]

On a related note, does anyone have references which would explain VRChat (and the culture around it)? I'm not quite certain if the models are primarily used for comedic effect, role-play, or more of as a 'Ready Player One'-esque alternative identity. I think I know cases for the latter, but I feel like as someone who has never understood VR as a form of self-expression or played VRChat, I feel like I can't have the conversation with them.

[unsignedint]

I provide full livecast coverage by visiting every booth at Vket, which takes place in VRChat twice a year, and over time I’ve noticed some clear patterns.

In Japan, the market for 3D models and other VR/metaverse assets has steadily flourished. Within VRChat, it’s fairly common for users to purchase avatars from platforms like booth.pm and then customize them to their liking—sometimes as simply as changing colors, and other times by adding clothing, accessories, or other elements. The market itself is quite approachable: some avatars are used by thousands, or even tens of thousands, of people, while others cater to much more niche tastes. Either way, there’s something for almost everyone.

Originally, the focus was largely on avatars themselves. Over the years, however, we’ve seen a noticeable shift toward clothing and accessories. Looking at booths in recent Vket events, roughly 40%—if not close to half—of the offerings now fall into those categories. Tools such as ModularAvatar and Mochifitter have made applying and adjusting these items easier than ever, lowering the barrier even further. More broadly, many Japanese users don’t seem to find working with Unity particularly daunting, and that comfort level has helped form the foundation of the ecosystem we see today.

While comedy and roleplay certainly appear from time to time, many people treat their avatars as genuine representations of their identity. This doesn’t mean that identity is fixed—some users switch between multiple avatars—but there is often a strong sense of attachment. The avatar functions not merely as a surrogate in a virtual space, but as something that defines how they present themselves within that world.

This emphasis on originality, combined with a general avoidance of ripped game assets or avatars based on existing IPs (at least compared to trends outside Japan), appears to have played a significant role in shaping this distinctive Japanese VR culture.

[jauntywundrkind]

I find the vtuber effect pretty offputting myself. It's so flat.

It's going to wander into entirely different problems (one with a much more uncanny valley), but i'm curious to see how the field develops when facial animation systems start being able to parallel people's faces more.

[cosmic_cheese]

VTuber avatar expressiveness varies wildly depending on the software and avatar artists in question. With the right software and top tier avatars, it can be quite good, but high quality avatars are extremely time consuming to create and thus expensive so only the biggest streamers tend to have those. Some agencies also force usage of less advanced agency-proprietary software to prevent talent from using the avatars without authorization.

[cagenut]

People Make Games did a mini documentary on almost exactly what you're asking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PHT-zBxKQQ

Its three years old so things have slightly matured.

[bottlepalm]

It's the next level of social gaming, being in VR makes the experience a lot more immersive and visceral.

[avaer]

If someone is socializing in VRChat it would follow they are able to be social. So a bit of a non sequitur.

Would it be more accurate to say you have a categorical disdain for the way they are socializing? Why do you think that is (other than the obvious stuff, which seems to be more an anonymous internet thing than anything particular to VRChat)?

I'm genuinely curious because I see this attitude a lot and I don't understand it.

[bovermyer]

That seems... rather reductive.

You give references, but their conclusions and yours seem to operate on different scopes and restrictions.

I don't use VR, so I don't have a horse in this race. What do you gain from this?

[Libidinalecon]

The VR raves though at least kind of work. You can do a lot visually with the medium and sound.

The problem is that generally VRChat is like a masked ball with a combination of alcoholics, repressed perverted losers, obnoxious personalities and children.

Anyone who downvotes this to me is suspect as being part of that ingroup.

It is one thing to be socially awkward. I was quite awkward when I was young too. VRChat is something else. Like the worst aspects of a 90s chat room but with immersion and real voices.

[anigbrowl]

Some Japanese people use avatars to be v-tubers, and post talking head content on youtube or similar while mailing privacy. In some cases talent agencies require them to use avatars, which remain the property of the agency.