With its infinite avatar possibilities, fan-made communities and even custom worlds to explore it makes for hours of fun with friends. So, If you're not sure if you're ready to start exploring VRChat just yet, take a look at our beginner's guide below.

Why Is VRChat So Popular?

As we mentioned before, VRChat is a social VR game that lets you meet new people and explore virtual worlds. Players are granted the freedom to become whoever they want with complete avatar customisation. Users can create avatars outside of the game using third-party 3D modelling and animation software, to then import their creations into the game. This is one of the main attractions of the game and has even resulted in people buying avatars.

So many people want their own custom avatars that they spend hundreds of dollars paying for an artist to commission their VRChat avatars. You're probably wondering why wouldn't they just make their own... But the truth is VRChat avatars can be quite complex so the laymen like to leave it to the pros.

There is also a variety of different rooms and worlds to meet with other VR users. It's like a cross between Second Life, Minecraft, and a social network like Discord. Even though VRChat has gone viral over the past few years, it's important to note that it's still in beta. The game may have a few bugs, and it's best to keep your expectations in check.

Why Should You Try Out VRChat?

VRChat is great if you're looking to meet new people. Plenty of communities form based on people's interests which leads to a number of VRChat worlds to hang out in. You've got anime worlds, dance clubs, roleplaying you name it! When checking out all of these awesome worlds you'll be bound to meet some new friends along the way.

However, the chaotic nature of VRChat makes it perfect for grouping up with your friends and having a blast. You're only really limited by your imagination when it comes to VRChat which is why it has produced so many viral memes and awesome content. Twitch Streamers have even attempted to recreate dating shows in VRChat just because of the intimacy of interacting with VR avatars.

VRChat is also a good way to get used to VR without spending a lot of money. The game is compatible with numerous VR platforms like the HTC VIVE, Oculus Rift and many more!

Installing VRChat

In order to dive into VRChat, you first need to download the game. You can do this on the VRChat website: Once you've downloaded the game, launch VRChat and enter your details. If you don't have a VR headset yet, you can select "no headset" so you can explore VRChat using your mouse and keyboard or controller.

How to Move in VRChat

VRChat lets you use your hands to move around, but you can also use a gamepad if you prefer. Both motion-tracked controllers and gamepads are supported. To move around, press the thumbpad on your motion-tracked controller or use the analogue stick on your controller.

VRChat has two movement options: Free movement and Teleportation. Free movement is just like it sounds--you can move around as you would in real life. If you're new to VRChat and don't feel comfortable moving around, teleportation is a great way to get around and prevent motion sickness.

Rooms to Visit in VRChat

There are tons of rooms to visit in VRChat. Here are a few of our favourites:

The Lobby: This is where new VRChat users usually start their journey. You can explore the lobby and find places to teleport to by tapping the blue cubes with numbers on them. If you're looking to play some minigames with friends then the rec room might also be a fun idea.

The Forest: This is a 2D room where you can explore, build, and chat with other users. It's ideal for beginners because it's one of the easiest rooms to navigate.

The Beach: This room is ideal for meeting new people because it has an audience mode. This means other VRChat users can come chat and watch you from a bird's-eye view. Kind of like a spectator.

The Fashion Show: This room is an ideal place for aspiring models to start building their portfolios. But jokes aside it functions as a spotlight for cool avatars that players might be using. If you're an avatar designer who wants to show off what they can do then strutting your stuff on the catwalk might be the solution.

The Dance Floor: This is the ideal room for people who love to dance. One of the many benefits of VR is you can move your body in real time and actually throw shapes. Which is awesome because everyone speaks the language of dance.

Final Words

VRChat is the perfect place for curious newcomers to get a feel for the virtual reality experience. You can explore new worlds, play games, meet new people, and even get creative with your virtual avatar. For a game that's free and available on many different VR platforms, you can't go wrong. The game is yet to be released on console but it's only the first iteration of the game. So the sky is the limit!