VRChat

The Pride 2026 Campaign launched on June 2, introducing a wealth of new content and rewards for VRC+ users. Players could earn various in-game items by participating in gifting during Pride month, including the Neon Star Portal, Christopher Cloud Companion, and a Pride Button Accessory. Additionally, a $100,000 donation to Trans Lifeline marked a significant commitment to community support.

• New Unlocks: Multiple unlockable items became available on June 2:
  • Neon Star Portal: Unlocked by gifting 2 months of VRC+.
  • Christopher Cloud Companion: Unlocked by gifting 5 months of VRC+.
  • Pride Button Accessory: Earned by gifting VRC+ during Pride month.
  • Rainbow Stardust Warp Effect: Unlocked by gifting 1 month of VRC+.
• Exclusive Rewards: Players could earn the Pride 2026 Badge by claiming every reward, and top gifters received a special badge recognition.
• Hype Train Feature: Introduced a new feature where gifting VRC+ contributed to the instance's Hype Train progress, unlocking the Extravagant Pride Fan item if goals were met.
• Seasonal Event: The Pride 2026 Campaign provided opportunities to earn in-game rewards for gifting VRC+ throughout June.
• Shop Update: The Beat the Heat Shop Update launched on June 5 and remained available until August 7.
• Top Gifters Leaderboard: A new leaderboard tracked the top gifters throughout the Pride event, enhancing community engagement.

The Avatar Marketplace launched on May 14, 2025, allowing users to buy and sell avatars, marking a significant addition to VRChat's ecosystem. This update was accompanied by the Desktop Selfie Expression Feature, which enabled webcam-based tracking for desktop users to animate avatars in real time.

• New Features:
  • Group Auto Invites: Introduced on January 27, 2026, this feature simplified inviting groups.
  • Live Now Tab: Also added on January 27, 2026, this tab highlighted currently active users.
  • Double World Favorites for VRC+ Subscribers: VRC+ members could now save double the world favorites, enhancing their experience.

• Instance Linking: This feature launched on November 4, 2025, enabling users to link instances more effectively.
• New Reporting Flow: Implemented on November 4, 2025, this streamlined the process for reporting issues within the game.
• Support for World Dynamics: Introduced on November 4, 2025, this feature enhanced world interactions and physics.
• Boops Feature: Also added on November 4, 2025, this fun interaction allowed avatars to engage in playful nudges.
• Discord Login Integration: This feature, released on November 4, 2025, allowed users to log in using their Discord accounts.
• Selfie Expression Settings: Released alongside the Selfie Expression feature on March 29, 2025, these settings allowed users to customize their experience with quality levels and hand tracking.
• Avatar Compatibility with Selfie Expression: Existing avatars with SDK viseme mapping gained support for real-time mouth and eye movements, enhancing avatar expressiveness.

VRChat introduced a significant Age Verification system on December 6, 2024, aimed at enhancing user safety. This update also brought the Prints feature, allowing users to create and share prints, along with a Gift Drops feature for receiving gifts.

• New Features:
  • Stickers and Sharing for VRChat+: Launched on October 9, 2024, this feature enabled users to utilize stickers and share them within VRChat+.
  • New Worlds for Spookality 2024: Added on October 21, 2024, featuring the Fractured Realm and a general Spookality Showcase.
  • Spooky Avatars: Available from October 21, 2024, showcasing winners and submissions from the Spookality jam.
  • World & Avatar Jam Launch: Opened submissions from July 8 to August 2, 2024.

• Seasonal Events:
  • Spookality 2024 Launch: Kicked off on October 21, 2024, with new worlds and avatars.
  • Summer Music Fest Jam Announcement: Announced on July 9, 2024, featuring events and promotions in new worlds.
  • Event Promotion Period: Featured winners of the jam from August 12 to September 6, 2024.

• User Experience Enhancements:
  • Chatbox 2.0 Updates: Implemented improvements to the chatbox interface on October 9, 2024.
  • Camera Updates: Enhanced camera functionality was also noted on October 9, 2024.

Creator Economy Paid Subscriptions introduced on December 1, 2023, significantly expanded monetization options for creators in VRChat. Alongside this, the World Preloading Feature launched on October 4, 2023, enabling users to download worlds without joining, enhancing accessibility and performance. The Android Alpha Launch for VRChat Plus subscribers also went live on August 18, 2023, bringing the mobile experience to Android users.

• New Features:
  • Avatar Scaling Feature introduced on July 31, 2023, allowing players to adjust avatar height for better interaction.
  • Custom Emoji Feature for VRChat Plus subscribers launched on June 27, 2023, enabling the upload and animation of custom emojis.
  • Group+ and Groups Public instances added on June 12, 2023, allowing users to create and join specialized instances.
  • Native Eye Tracking Feature implemented on April 13, 2023, supporting enhanced interactions for Quest Pro users.

• Seasonal Events:
  • The New Year's Eve 2024 Celebration on December 31, 2023, featured community-submitted content, marking a festive highlight.
  • Spookality Submission Event occurred from September 25 to October 16, 2023, encouraging creative avatar and world submissions.

• Balance Changes:
  • The maximum number of members in a Group increased to 100,000 on June 12, 2023, enhancing community engagement.
  • Avatar Scaling Prefabs became non-functional on July 31, 2023, due to the new native scaling systems.

• Performance Upgrades:
  • VRChat upgraded to Unity 2022 on October 26, 2023, resulting in various performance enhancements.
  • An overhaul of internal portal handling occurred on March 10, 2023, improving stability and security.

The introduction of the IK 2.0 System on May 26, 2022, marked a significant upgrade for VRChat, enhancing tracking capabilities for all users. This update was complemented by the launch of Avatar Dynamics, which introduced new interaction possibilities for avatars. Additionally, the UI 2.0 Update revamped the Main Menu for improved organization and functionality.

• Major Content Drops:
  • Avatar Dynamics launched on April 21, 2022, allowing for new avatar interactions.
  • The IK 2.0 System was introduced on May 26, 2022, enhancing tracking capabilities.
• New Systems / Mechanics:
  • Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) was implemented on July 26, 2022, to prevent client modifications.
  • Secure Instances were introduced on July 26, 2022, enforcing instance rules on the server side.
  • PhysBones, introduced on April 21, 2022, allowed for realistic secondary movement of avatars.
  • The Calibration Saving Feature was added on May 26, 2022, improving user experience.

• Balance & Gameplay:
  • Avatar Parameter Memory Space was doubled on May 26, 2022, increasing from 128 to 256 bits for better performance.
  • A runtime auto-converter for Dynamic Bones to PhysBones was introduced on April 21, 2022.

• Seasonal Event:
  • The New Years 2023 Celebration Event on December 31, 2022, featured special worlds and activities for players.

• UI/UX Improvements:
  • The UI 2.0 Update launched on October 13, 2022, featuring a redesigned Main Menu with customizable tabs and improved navigation.
  • Enhanced World Discovery tools and social menu improvements were also part of this update.
  • New Gamepad Input features were introduced, aligning gamepad functionality with keyboard and mouse options.

VRChat celebrated its fifth anniversary with the launch of the New Years Eve 2022 Celebration in the new 'VRC Square' world, featuring community-created content and live DJ performances. Additionally, the introduction of VRChat Plus Gifting allowed users to gift subscriptions to friends, enhancing social interactions. A significant update included an event-based input system in Udon, streamlining interaction building for creators.

• New Worlds: The 'VRC Square' world launched on December 29, 2021, providing a hub for community content and events.
• Regions for Instance Creation: Players gained the ability to create instances in specific regions, including US, EU, and JP, enhancing multiplayer experiences.
• Identity Features: Users received new identity options, such as custom profile pictures and status messages, improving personal expression in VRChat.
• Performance Enhancements: Upgrades to Unity 2019.4.29f1 on August 4, 2021, significantly improved overall performance and stability across the platform.
• Quick Menu Overhaul: The Quick Menu was completely redesigned on November 9, 2021, introducing customizable side panels for easier access to favorite avatars and friends.

VRChat Plus Subscription launched on November 20, 2020, introducing a new subscription service offering a range of features and benefits. This period also saw the Avatars 3.0 Framework debut on August 7, 2020, granting creators extensive control over their avatar creations, alongside the VRChat Udon Alpha released on April 1, 2020, which allowed for custom programming within the game.

• New Subscription Service: VRChat Plus Subscription launched, providing users with enhanced features and benefits.
  • Early Supporter Benefits: Early supporters received special badges and additional VRC+ time on December 3, 2020.
• Avatars 3.0 Framework: Released on August 7, 2020, this framework empowered creators to fully customize avatars.
• Udon Programming Language: The VRChat Udon Alpha was introduced on April 1, 2020, enabling the creation of interactive worlds.
• New Features for VRChat Plus:
  • Increased favorite avatar slots for Plus users to 100, while all users received an upgrade to 25.
  • Custom user icons feature allowing Plus users to personalize their nameplates.
  • Stickers feature enabling Plus users to place stickers in any world.
• Improved Development Tools:
  • New Udon Node Graph introduced on July 16, 2020, enhancing development capabilities.
  • SDK 3 was released on April 1, 2020, supporting Udon and offering new asset creation tools.
• Performance Enhancements: Major improvements to application and networking performance occurred on October 1, 2020, alongside a migration to the latest Unity LTS release on April 1, 2020.

VRChat introduced Valve Index Controller support with finger tracking on June 5, 2019, marking a significant enhancement for players using this hardware. The year also saw the launch of the Spookality 2019 Halloween event on October 15, featuring spooky worlds and contests for user-created content.

• New Features:
  • Full-Body Tracking Updates improved tracking functionality on September 18, 2019.
  • Minimum Allowed Performance Rank Feature allowed users to set performance thresholds for avatars on June 18, 2019.
  • Dynamic Bone Limitation System introduced on March 26, 2019, enabling customization of avatar limitations.
  • Community Labs launched on March 12, 2019, providing a new platform for creators to showcase their worlds.

• Performance Enhancements:
  • Major Optimizations to Voice and UI Systems were implemented on May 16, 2019, improving overall system performance.
  • Improved Avatar Loading Time and Minimum Displayed Performance Rank Behavior adjustments were made on August 22, 2019.
  • Unity Update to 2017.4.28f1 on June 18, 2019, enhanced compatibility and performance.

• Seasonal Events:
  • Spookality Contest Announcement on October 15, 2019, encouraged participation in the Halloween-themed event with various categories for entries.

• Balance Changes:
  • Improved Full-Body Tracking Behavior improved fidelity in various situations on September 18, 2019.
  • Grip Control Change on August 22, 2019, adjusted how grip functionality interacts with in-game mechanics.

- User Interface Updates: - An Advanced Settings Menu was added on June 5, 2019, allowing for easier management of cache and preferences. These updates collectively contributed to a richer and more optimized experience in VRChat during its third year since release.

VRChat introduced significant features including the User Reporting Feature and the Trust and Safety System during its second year. The upgrade to VRChat accounts from Steam accounts also enhanced user experience, allowing for better social interactions and content creation.

• User Reporting Feature: Launched on November 20, 2018, this feature added a 'Report User' button in the Social menu, enabling players to report inappropriate behavior and avatar issues.
• Trust and Safety System: Introduced on October 2, 2018, this system helps users manage their experiences and protect against disruptive users.
• Steam Account Upgrade: On November 6, 2018, players could upgrade their Steam accounts to full VRChat accounts, unlocking friends, favorites, groups, and content uploading capabilities.
• VRChat Home Kit: Released on June 26, 2018, this kit allowed users to create their own version of the Home world, enhancing personalization.
• New SDK Features: Introduced on June 12, 2018, new SDK features included enhanced triggers/actions like Particle Collision and PlayHaptics, improving development capabilities for creators.

• Balance Changes: The particle limiter was re-implemented as an optional beta feature on June 26, 2018, allowing users to customize their experience.
• Vive Movement Tweaks: Adjustments made on February 28, 2018, improved the movement system for HTC Vive controllers, enhancing user control.
• User Interface Improvements: A mouse sensitivity slider was added for desktop users on June 26, 2018, allowing for better customization of gameplay.

• Performance Upgrades: Migration to Unity 2017.4.15f1 on December 11, 2018, significantly improved performance and support for the game.

The launch of the New Hub on November 18, 2017, marked a significant transformation for VRChat, becoming the default area upon launching the game and featuring a variety of new sections and functionalities. This update also introduced HTC Vive Tracker Support for Full Body Tracking, allowing for enhanced avatar movement through additional tracking devices.

• New Hub: The New Hub replaced the old hub, providing sections for featured worlds, community avatars, and an event hall for community events.
  • Event Hall: A dedicated space for displaying approved community events.
  • Avatar Hall: A section to highlight community-created avatars and provide information on custom avatar creation.
  • Travel Maps: Included in each section to help users navigate and teleport quickly.
• Private Worlds Feature: Introduced on April 14, 2017, allowing users to create private copies of public worlds for friends-only or invite-only access.
• Enhanced Communication System: Players gained the ability to select others to hear them, with options to mute or automatically unmute friends.
• Halloween Event: The Halloween Contest 'Scared to Reality' took place on October 29, 2017, featuring custom worlds and avatars with prizes, including an HTC Vive.
• Balance Changes: Notable adjustments included disabling invite requests from private instances to enhance security and reintroducing the jump feature in the Hub for improved movement.