VRChat for dummies

Update 2023-11-19: AnimeNYC in VRChat has ended, but I'll leave this guide up in case it's needed for future events. Thank you for joining us everyone <3

For those who cannot attend AnimeNYC, you can still participate virtually via VRChat (article here)

You can virtually watch the mini Rock n Rawr and the QnA, but not the panel. The times (EST) are posted here on Twitter.

VRChat is a social "metaverse" platform where all the content is made by users like you

Downloading it

You don't need a VR headset to play, but it can make the experience more fun.
You can play VRChat on:
Non-VR ("Desktop mode")

However due to platform restrictions, not every world/avatar is accessible on Quest and Android devices. So you'll want to use a PC (non-VR or VR) if possible. Generally, any decent PC from the past five years or a Steam Deck should be able to run it fine. If playing in desktop (non-VR) mode, make sure you choose the desktop mode option when launching via Steam. If playing in VR, you probably know what you're doing.

Linux users will need to use a custom version of GE-Proton.

Creating an account

You can sign in with Steam to make it easier, but for more features and faster ranking you should create a VRChat account on the website (click here to sign up) and then sign into it on first game launch.

If you already have an account via Steam or other service, you can read how to "upgrade" here.

Controls

Take some time to get used to the controls. The primary method of communication is voice chat, but they also recently added text chat as well (press Y on desktop mode). Some avatars also have expressions that you can use (press R on desktop mode). With that said, you don't have to actually talk to anyone if you don't want. Most people in the game are "mutes" anyway.

To add people as friends on desktop mode, pause the game and then click on their avatar with your mouse. You'll see a menu of options, including a button to Add Friend. You can also clone their avatar here as well.

If exploring worlds with embedded video players (i.e. for watchalongs), you'll also want to turn on "Allow untrusted URLs" in the Safety settings.

Joining worlds

When joining a new world, you can join "instances" (lobbies) that are public, or create one yourself that is friends-only (only your friends can join) or private (if you hate socializing).

We have created a group specifically for Ruffians, you can join it here:
https://vrchat.com/home/group/grp_a331cc2e-290f-49fa-93f4-5290c4166215

We will be hosting instances of the hololive Meet VRChat world for Ruffians! Here's how to join (desktop mode controls):

Press ESC
Click the "Groups" button (it has three dots and lines)
Click on "Ruffians"
Click on the "Instances" tab
You should see any open instance created by a member of the group

If you want to create your own group instance:

Navigate to the "Hololive Meet" world screen
Click "New Instance"
Click "Group" on the bottom
Make sure the Group is set to "Ruffians"
Set Instance Type to Group or Group+ (don't do Group Public or it'll get filled up by randos)
Click Create Instance and join (or drop portal for others)

Avatars

If you want a hololive(-themed) avatar for VRChat, here's some worlds you can visit:
https://vrchat.com/home/world/wrld_285c9465-f340-426a-a3f4-1171a85b552f
https://vrchat.com/home/world/wrld_dd3b55aa-5ac6-46cb-8030-485ee908b76f
https://vrchat.com/home/world/wrld_629b9eb6-0c77-49cc-9319-6761663a3f9e
https://vrchat.com/home/world/wrld_f9a674fd-7de4-4ff7-8613-f3e4f77dd266
https://vrchat.com/home/world/wrld_9ad8f77d-e0b0-4c4c-a5ee-a48b6e95b780 <-- Ruffian Avatar Room

There will be an area with shelves of avatars to pick from. Click on one and you'll transform into it. You can change back into recent avatars from the menu in the Avatars section as well.

To upload avatars to VRChat, you'll need be rank New User or higher, or have Premium. However there's plenty of decent avatars already out there, so you don't really need to do this.