About a month ago, I came across a reddit thread in which Vituper answers questions about his work and the industry in general. This format is not very popular in Ukraine, but I believe that with the development of AI technologies, it will increasingly penetrate Ukrainian YouTube and Twich. In this text, I decided to talk about this format and collected some recommendations on how to create your own virtual blogger.

Who are virtual bloggers and where did they come from?

Vloggers, also known as VTubers or virtual bloggers, have become quite a phenomenon in the modern Internet space. These are bloggers who use virtual avatars created with the help of computer graphics. The emergence of this digital trend dates back to the mid-2010s in Japan, and later it became a global phenomenon in the 2020s.

The first to use the term “virtual YouTuber” was Kizuna AI, which started creating content on YouTube in late 2016. Its success sparked a trend for virtual bloggers in Japan and gave rise to the creation of specialized agencies to promote them.

However, virtual bloggers are not limited to YouTube. They attract audiences from all social networks that are popular globally or locally in Japan.

On the other hand, vlogging is not limited to the format of game streams or live chats. It extends to photo content, drawing videos, historical and educational channels, music, television, and much more. That’s how I saw a virtual weather forecast presenter. The main idea of vlogging is the interactivity of content, where viewers can interact with a virtual blogger in real time.

Vloggers can have different characters and looks, mostly representing characters in anime. They create their own world with a “lore” that can be fictional or replicate the personality of their creators.

All in all, VTuber and vlogging represent modern forms of entertainment that are not only changing the way we consume content, but also taking the digital entertainment space to a new level.

Why do bloggers create virtual characters?

Anonymity:

Many streamers face hateful comments that can be personal and unpleasant. Some hide their names, and a virtual avatar helps to hide their face and voice.

Originality:

With the growth of the streaming industry, streamers are looking for originality. VTubing goes beyond the standard to attract viewers.

Competition:

Although there are many popular VTubers, there is less competition among them compared to traditional streamers. Agencies control part of the market.

Mystery factor:

Who is behind the animated façade of a VTuber? This question adds mystery and attracts the target audience interested in solving the mystery.

There is a significant number of women in the VTube world, and is it a coincidence?

The main field of activity of virtual creators is the niche of digital idols.

Successful idols have traditionally always been women. It depends on the audience that is interested in such content and the characters that this audience is ready to accept and support. The audience of virgins is at the intersection of gaming and anime. Regardless of whether a girl is a real-life gamer or a digital avatar, she has a predominantly male audience of many interested guys who are looking for a character to feel sympathy for.

Some of them may not be men, but trans women who you may be mistaking for women. This may not be easy to determine, as some trans women never explicitly indicate their status. This is another reason why they hide behind digital avatars of women, because this way they will gain more popularity without being bullied or judged.

Meanwhile, others may simply prefer the look of a female model or believe that it will help their channel grow by providing their mostly male audience with a pleasant aesthetic experience. And, of course, some men like the digital sexualization of a virtual character.

There are also many examples of people with disabilities or social anxiety opening up through virtual avatars and finding a fan base and a way to earn money anonymously.

VTuber technologies: hand tracking and animation

A VTuber uses hand tracking technology and software to animate virtual avatars. The camera and specialized software capture the movements, facial expressions, and mouth movements of the streamer, transferring them to a two- or three-dimensional model. The programs used for this purpose can be either free or paid, and are supported by various motion capture devices (Leap Motion) or even smartphones with face recognition sensors.

As an alternative to a smartphone for face tracking, use a webcam and VSeeFace software. Total equipment costs can be kept within $300-500, including lighting.

But you still need to create or buy a virtual avatar. The popular animation program Live2D is used to create two-dimensional models, while VRoid Studio is used for three-dimensional avatars. The cost of ordering 3d detailed models can reach 2000 dollars.

There are also alternative open-source programs (Virtual Puppet Project, Inochi2D) that are being developed by the community to create their own models. Some users are already experimenting with artificial intelligence to design characters and integrate it into gameplay and chat.

One experienced VTuber, Fofamit, recommends using VRoid software. Fofamit runs an informative YouTube channel about virtual streams and took her own in this direction in time. She believes that VTuber allows you to explore the virtual space, create and interact with the audience. I recommend watching her channel if you are interested in the technical side of creating and working in this niche.

To get started, you can try Booth.pm, which offers ready-made models available for purchase, ideal for beginners. With the help of platforms like Blender, you can edit the purchased models to make them unique.

Vitubing: the rise of digital avatars and interactivity

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, VTubers have become mainstream, increasing the number of views and searches on Google. Following their success in Japan, agencies such as Hololive and Nijisanji have expanded their branches internationally. Meanwhile, independent VTubers have sprung up in many countries, making the trend a global phenomenon.

In 2020, VTubers have become prominent figures on YouTube and Twitch, attracting millions of viewers and generating significant revenue. Driven by the popularity of VTubers on YouTube and Twitch, new agencies and affiliates have sprung up and their revenue has doubled.

In 2021, Twitch defined the VTuber tag, marking a new stage in the development of this trend. Gawr Gura, a member of Hololive, surpassed Kizuna AI in terms of the number of subscribers on YouTube. Currently, VTubers continue to grow on Twitch, and their popularity is not fading.

Vlogging, a new trend in blogging, quickly gained the attention of users and marketers. In recent years, this phenomenon has become popular, transforming approaches to content and marketing. Not only is the number of vloggers growing, but so are the challenges and opportunities for brands.

One of the key trends in virtualization is the gamification of content. Digital avatars that become mascots in advertising add a new level of interaction to content. Virtubers who use this technology open up the opportunity for viewers not only to watch but also to interact with the content, making it more engaging.