First picture I took for the project. Not much to say other than the person in the middle is not actually sitting on the chair, it's just perspective. Yes they are sitting, it's just that they're not sitting on the chair.
I saw this guy run by and I thought the spray on the wall made this seem funny out of context. There is no real context to be had here as the two were entirely unrelated to each other.
An example of how advanced avatars can be in VRchat. This user is able to summon a trash can that shoots laser beams! Their target seems to be Tyler the Creator? I could have sworn he had a little guy on his hat like that one Da Baby album cover.
An example of users roleplaying. A kid went up on stage to do a mediocre comedy performance as Lefty from Five Nights at Freddys: Pizzeria Simulator, while a buff Ghost Face heckles him as he attempts a bottle flip.
This world was called "Adopt a Furry". Two users talk with Dio Brando about adopting him, I assume. That Dio model in particular is of interest to me because the head uses the Phantom Blood artstyle, yet the body is unmistakably from Stardust Crusaders. This could be an instance of kitbashing models to get a very niche result. Bravo.
An AFK user next to an advertisement. Just thought this looked cool.
An example of how beautiful these virtual environments can be. Without real world limitations, users are able to construct specific aesthetical moods.
Ditto. It can also be said that these constructed environments are also extensions of the individuals that built them, much like how users create avatars to reflect their desired identity.
First group hijinks I witnessed. Some kids in strange, patriotic avatars came by to interact with other users. They were harmless.
These kids are seen again, this time in the back of the main building. Notice the platform next to the moon? I wonder if that's a secret meeting area only for administrators or moderators. This kind of mystique is often found in these virtual worlds. Creators love hiding secrets.
A therapy session under a blue moon.
I have no idea what the first word was meant to be. Maybe it's best we didn't know.
There are a lot of hangout places in VRchat that share the same theme of a penthouse way up in the sky on a rainy night. I can understand why it's popular, it's very cozy.
Ditto. These kinds of environments would be near impossible to replicate in real life, considering factors such as time and money. With the digital world you can access this place anytime, anywhere. I wonder what this says about the human desire to exist in beautiful locations and our access to such spots. It's getting harder to, I'll say!
Outside an adults only night club. A drunk girl starts yelling at Curious George a recipe for bread.
A strange discussion between a MAGA patriot and a penguin wearing a fez. I don't remember what they were talking about, though I could imagine it was corny as hell.
This encounter was amazing to witness. A user comes in to mess with some people while wearing an avatar of Angel Dust from Hazbin Hotel, albeit morbidly obese. This guy's shtick was to call other people fat, namely the girl on the left. This hoodie guy comes in to break it up.
"There's fat people, and then there's FAT people". Users have a tendency to portray themselves in performative manners, even in situations where there is a real argument happening. The gesture the hoodie guy did exemplifies this in my opinion. Very deliberate motion.
Jesus intervenes. I think the reason why users are so performative is because the avatar they choose gives them a character to roleplay as, even if the character is just a guy with a gun. That could be a valuable thing to fall back on in difficult social situations.
Two random users invited me on the spot to join their Miku dance party. I just happened to be there when they were heading off and they asked if I wanted to join them. Normally I would have said no, but my role as a cameraman meant I had to see what this was about.
This user gave me a cute wave as I took their picture. Before then they were jamming to the music.
Went to McDonalds and saw Optimus Prime. Users are not limited in regards to things like height, so if a user wants to be a giant they are allowed to be one.
I've wondered if there's any sentiment against pop-culture portrayal in the sense of an identity. What I mean is if wearing something like a superhero avatar and denoting that as your visual identity is a bad thing? I can't think beyond speculating the implications. Perhaps I should interview people?
A random kid with a Demogorgun avatar came up to me to show off his cool Bart Simpson toy he got from his happy meal.
These avatars are original creations, but they wear their influences on their sleeves quite literally. I absolutely love seeing avatars like this, where their passions and interests are proudly displayed on their avatars and clothing. It makes these 3D meshes feel alive.
I think it's a trope in manga to have characters sit outside a store? It's interesting to see fans replicate this while wearing anime skins. Perhaps this is more of that performative roleplay?
Last place I visited. Two people roleplaying as Beavis and Butthead came in to play cards. This is a very obvious example of users being performative.
I just like the poses made here. Very natural despite being a video game.