Loading
Helsinki XR Center
  • Home
  • XR Hub
  • Services
  • XR Design
  • Events
  • News
  • About
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
A screenshot of VRChat, social virtual reality application. Seven avatars are taking a selfie in a room in a skyscraper and looking straight at the camera. There are big windows in the background with a great view of the sunset.

HXRC Team: Testing VRChat, a community creation focused social VR application

Next up on Helsinki XR Center’s test list of social VR and collaboration tools is VRChat, quite possibly the largest, and definitely the wildest, social virtual reality platform available. 

Previously we have written about Glue, a virtual collaboration tool, and social platforms AltspaceVR, Bigscreen VR and Rec Room. You can find all of these articles from our News-section!

VRChat

VRChat is famous for the creations of its member community. It could be described as the wild frontier of virtual reality (VR), where anyone can create almost anything from avatars (virtual bodies users can inhabit) to VR worlds and activities, such as karaoke and games and share them among the user base. There are hundreds of available 3D avatars to choose from, an impressive ensemble of pop-culture characters, anthropomorphic animals and vegetables. 

This is a reflection of open-source internet mashups, where cultural streams collide and are re-interpreted in unexpected ways. Even the first VR meme, “Ugandan Knuckles”, which leaked into the internet mainstream through videos and screenshots, was born in VRChat as testament to its free mix and match spirit.

(article continues after the picture)

A screenshot of VRChat, social virtual reality application. An avatar is stepping in to a teleport.

Stepping in to a teleport.

Our experience

VRChat supports PC VR headsets as well as a desktop view and Oculus Quest, although not all features are compatible. In our experience, it was quite difficult to discern which features were really available to Quest users, and which were not, as for some rooms the description said that the room was “Quest compatible”, but that wasn’t always the truth. In our testing team were two Quest users, and we found out that in a “Quest compatible” karaoke room they could only hear the singer’s voice, but not the background track. Also in a “Quest compatible” murder mystery game, Quest users could not participate in the game, but only follow the progress of others in a spectator lobby. It is great that you can take part in the experience with various headsets, but a shame that you cannot participate fully with all of them.

We found the ability to inhabit various skins through avatars a delightful instrument of social roleplay, but we think it could also be used as an embodied way of reflecting one’s current mood and attitude. Social training simulations could be quickly implemented by assigning specific roles to avatars and then enacting these roles in-character.

(article continues after the picture)

A screenshot of VRChat, social virtual reality application. Two avatars are standing in an entry room for a Murder Game.

Entering a murder game.

As our mission is currently to try out different virtual platforms to do work with, we evaluated VRChat in that aspect as well. We think that VRChat is not the best platform to have meetings or trainings, but it is a great platform for casual social gatherings and, of course, having fun. That being said, we think it could work really well as a tool for team building activities or recreation evenings. 

VRChat also has a lot of potential in terms of customized spaces and features for those who can put in the handiwork of creating their personal scenes in Unity. With this, you could even create your own event areas with various rooms, and have a virtual conference there if you like!

Overall, we found VRChat very refreshing and fun. Shared activities definitely raised our team spirit, and we are positive that we will remember the experiences with VRChat for a looong time!

“For a while it felt like being with your friends in an entertainment center, where you could choose the activity you like, and change to it quickly and easily without any queues. Isn’t that convenient!”



VRChat takeaways:

  • Huge pop-culture avatar selection: choose yours and change on the go, depending on your mood or inner form!
  • Highly customizable! If you have the time and know-how, you can build anything.
  • Having fun with various games and activities
  • Huge amount of community created spaces
  • Works across platforms on PCVR and Quest —
  • — but some features are not available for Quest users

A screenshot of VRChat, social virtual reality application. Two avatars are standing in a room at a sky scraper. There are big windows in the background with a great view of the sunset. Some 3D doodles are floating in the air.

Hanging around and doodling in the air. What a view!

The equipment of our testing crew was:

  • 1 x WMR Samsung Odyssey+ with a desktop computer (RTX 2070, i5-6600K)
  • 1 x Valve Index with a gaming laptop (RTX 2080, i7-9900K)
  • 2 x Oculus Quest
  • 1 x Oculus Rift S. with a regular work laptop
  • 1 x Oculus Rift S. with a gaming laptop

—

We, the Helsinki XR Center team, realised that this situation is our chance to explore ways of working remotely. We are on a mission of trying out different kinds of virtual reality collaboration tools, and we will be writing articles about our realisations and insights that come along the way! 

We are excited to see how things are going to work out! Follow our exploration on our social media channels and our website’s News-section!

Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram

 

15.05.2020
Helsinki XR Center team

TAGS

#HXRCworkingVR, Extended reality, Helsinki XR Center, HXRC, social VR platform, virtual collaboration, Virtual Reality, VR, VRChat, working remotely, XR

SHARE THIS NEWS

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn

Recent News

  • One of the Helsinki XR Center team members sitting and smiling with mask onHelsinki XR Center 2020 wrap-up – The year of the PandemicFebruary 24, 2021 - 4:13 am
  • Developer teams checking out the XR Showroom at Helsinki XR Center Grand Opening, 5 September 2019.Helsinki XR Center developer hub Roundup for 2020December 11, 2020 - 1:00 pm
  • Dementia XR hub teamIntroducing XR Hub team: Dementia XRDecember 10, 2020 - 4:00 am
  • 900 people from all over the world attended the Virtual Reality event Match XR 2020December 3, 2020 - 4:33 pm

HELSINKI XR CENTER NEWSLETTER

To keep posted about Helsinki XR Center’s news and events, subscribe to our newsletter below!

Thank you for ordering our newsletter!

Metropolia  Business Finland FIVR  Helsinki

info(at)helsinkixrcenter.com

Hämeentie 135 A (4th floor), Helsinki, Finland

Facebook Instagram Twitter Linkedin Youtube

#HXRC #helsinkixrcenter

Privacy Policy │ Cookie Policy │ Saavutettavuusseloste

Metropolia  Business Finland FIVR  Helsinki

info(at)helsinkixrcenter.com

Hämeentie 135 A (4th floor), Helsinki, Finland

Facebook Instagram Twitter Linkedin Youtube

#HXRC #helsinkixrcenter

Privacy Policy │ Cookie Policy│ Saavutettavuusseloste

Metropolia  Business Finland FIVR  Helsinki

info(at)helsinkixrcenter.com

Hämeentie 135 A (4th floor), Helsinki, Finland

Facebook Instagram Twitter Linkedin Youtube

#HXRC #helsinkixrcenter

Privacy Policy │ Cookie Policy │ Saavutettavuusseloste

Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

ConsentLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

COOKIES – WWW.HELSINKIXRCENTER.COM
(www.helsinkixrcenter.com & www.helsinkixrcenter.fi)

So-called cookies may occasionally be transferred to the visitor's /user’s computer. Cookies are used to collect information, such as from which pages the visitor / user has landed which of our web sites the visitor / user is viewing and when what browser is the visitor / user using what is the screen resolution and operating system of the visitor’s / user’s computer and what is the visitor’s / user’s computer's IP address , or from which Internet address the information is sent and received.

Using the information provided by cookies Helsinki XR Center (HXRC) and its partners are able to track the number of visitors on the site, as well as to analyze and develop the sites to serve the visitors better. In addition, Helsinki Xr Center’s partners may use cookies for targeted advertising, in order to collect information about the visitor’s visits to this and other websites.
The information collected by the cookies is used in providing targeted advertising on the basis of the visitors’ interests. In the targeted cookie based advertising, the visitors are not identified and the data is not associated with personal information given by the visitor in another context.
The visitor can prevent the use of cookies by changing the browser settings so that the browser does not accept cookies. A visitor agrees that the prevention of the use of cookies may affect the functionality of the service / site.

Using the information provided by cookies HXRC and its partners are able to track the number of visitors on the site, as well as to analyze and develop the sites to serve the visitors better. In addition, HXRC's partners may use cookies for targeted advertising, in order to collect information about the visitor's visits to this and other websites. The information collected by the cookies is used in providing targeted advertising on the basis of the visitors' interests. In the targeted cookie based advertising, the visitors are not identified and the data is not associated with personal information given by the visitor in another context.

The visitor can prevent the use of cookies by changing the browser settings so that the browser does not accept cookies. A visitor agrees that the prevention of the use of cookies may affect the functionality of the service / site.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, you cannot refuse them without impacting how our site functions. You can block or delete them by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website.

Google Analytics Cookies

These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.

If you do not want that we track your visits to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Privacy Policy

You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.

Privacy Policy