VRChat: What Kind of Game Is It, Can You Play Without VR Equipment, and Why Is It So Popular? How to Get Started
【この記事にはPRを含む場合があります】

Since more people are spending time at home, “VRChat” has become more popular. VRChat is a platform where you can talk with friends in a virtual space.
VRChat is a game where you can join events regularly hosted by individuals and companies or explore vast worlds. Some people may wonder if you can play without VR equipment.
This article explains what kind of game VRChat is and whether you can play it without VR gear.

- What is VRChat?
- What kind of game is VRChat? Why is it popular?
- Reason 1: You can interact with people from all over the world
- Reason 2: You can jump into a wide variety of worlds
- Reason 3: You can participate in regularly held events
- How do you start VRChat?
- Can you play VRChat without VR equipment?
- Are there companies using VRChat?
- Connect with People Living Far Away on VRChat!
What is VRChat?
(Source: Steam VRChat Official Page)
VRChat is an app that lets people from all over the world talk in a virtual space.
Apps like VRChat are usually called “social VR,” and users can enjoy activities such as:
・Conversing with other users
・Creating and exchanging items with others
VRChat is a popular metaverse platform that often has over 30,000 users logged in at the same time.
People are spending more time at home because of the pandemic, and that has made it more popular.
Since the second half of 2019, the number of users has increased a lot, which has led to many ways to enjoy the platform.

What kind of game is VRChat? Why is it popular?
VRChat has become popular for the following reasons:
Reason 1: You can interact with people from all over the world
For example, you can plan to explore worlds with friends you’ve met online.
Even if you talk to people from other countries, VRChat lets you express emotions with gestures.
This means you can communicate without words and feel like you are really there.

Reason 2: You can jump into a wide variety of worlds
You can also customize your avatar.
You can design a unique avatar or choose one that resembles you, which makes the experience more realistic.
For people with VR headsets, the game can show them facial expressions and gestures, which makes them feel like they are really there.

Reason 3: You can participate in regularly held events
VRChat hosts many events, and they’re easy to join.
Examples include:
・Small meetups
・Movie nights
・Guided tours
・Radio calisthenics, and more
You can also host your own events to gather people with shared interests, making the ways to enjoy VRChat virtually limitless.
Large-scale events are also held regularly, where companies participate and you can view or purchase 3D avatars.

How do you start VRChat?
Here are the steps to get started with VRChat:
1. Install VRChat via Steam (download page here).
2. Create an account on the official VRChat website.
3. Choose your avatar (you can change it later).
By following these steps, you can start using VRChat.
After you choose your avatar, you can explore different worlds and customize it. This lets you create an environment where you can talk with friends nearby or people from around the globe.

Can you play VRChat without VR equipment?
Yes, you can play VRChat even without VR equipment, as long as you have a PC.
If you have a PC, it’s best to start with Desktop Mode. While having VR hardware like the Meta Quest 2 offers a more immersive experience, Desktop Mode is still enjoyable.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a PC but have a VR headset like Meta Quest 3, you can still play VRChat.
You can also enjoy VRChat by connecting VR equipment to your PC.
If you want to look around in 360 degrees, consider using both a PC and VR hardware, or use an all-in-one VR device like Meta Quest 3.
Note: VRChat doesn’t work with macOS, so you’ll need a Windows PC.

Are there companies using VRChat?
Yes, there are real examples of companies and local governments using VRChat to connect with users.
For example, the following Japanese companies and organizations have launched initiatives in VRChat:
・Virtual Market by HIKKY Inc.
・Virtual Gallery by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
・Virtual Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Festival by Kanagawa Prefecture
etc.
The Virtual Market that HIKKY Inc. developed has been recognized by Guinness World Records.
All of these companies hold fun events that make time spent at home more enjoyable. One way to enjoy these events is to explore them with friends.
Connect with People Living Far Away on VRChat!
VRChat is an app that lets you chat with friends you’ve met online and people from all over the world.
You can explore places that are hard to visit in real life, like the deep sea or outer space. There are also many events hosted by people and companies.
If you have a PC, you don’t need to buy extra VR equipment. So, if you’re interested, try it out.