It's easy to dismiss VRChat as a hive of trolls and offensive memes, but as with other successful virtual worlds which came before it, it's also thriving in great part because it delivers real value to its dedicated community. To wit, read this thread that's among the top in Reddit's highly active discussion board devoted to VRChat -- "Anyone use VRChat to help with their social anxiety?"
Answer -- yes, quite a lot of us:
I've been a horrible shut-in for pretty much all my life, always worried about how people are perceiving me in real life and such. I feel awkward in my own body and after starting my new job with no one to talk to, I've been pretty lonely for months now. Tried VRChat last night and I met a bunch of chill dudes and had a great laugh with people, It didn't matter what I looked like, people just judged me on what I said and did, I could be my own person and I could talk fluidly in the first time since forever, I woke up this morning in the best state as I proved to myself that there are people out there that I can still have a laugh with. (/user/DootLord)
Just as poignantly:
I was diagnosed with autism when I was 7, and even though I learned sufficient social skills to be able to lead an independent life as an adult, I am still terrible with IRL socialization. I'm a loner for the most part. I started playing VRChat in early February, and it's been a fantastic experience in terms of interacting with other people. (/user/Mormel414)
And:
I have massive social anxiety, to the point where if it wasn’t for work, I’d never leave the house. Thankfully, I’ve been able to join up with a real chill group that makes the game and experiences fun. Not so much when it’s a room of like 30-40 people, but the sub-15 rooms are the best, and you can just talk to people without any pretense or judging them for anything other than personality. (/user/kpaq00)
Much more here. Anyone in the VR/MMO industry expecting VRChat to fade away as a short term fad are underestimating the resiliency of virtual communities whose members come to depend on each other in a very real way.
"Anyone in the VR/MMO industry expecting VRChat to fade away as a short term fad are underestimating the resiliency of virtual communities whose members come to depend on each other in a very real way."
Second Life serves the same purpose for a lot of people. Community is why there was never a huge exodus to Open Sim or any other "world" thats come along.
Posted by: Amanda | Thursday, May 03, 2018 at 03:47 PM
Well yes just as SL has been. This is news? I am not big on the whole 'over arching kommunity' thing but even I have benefited from some kommunettes (err as in smaller!).
Posted by: sirhc desantis | Saturday, May 05, 2018 at 03:35 PM