Virtual YouTubers, or VTubers for short, have become increasingly popular in recent years. These are content creators who use digital avatars to present themselves to their audience. Viewers see the VTuber’s avatar instead of the person behind it, creating a unique and immersive experience.Â
In this article, we’ll take a look at the world of VTubers and the software they use to bring their avatars to life. We’ll also explore how you can create your own avatar and join the virtual world of VTubing.
What is a VTuber?
A VTuber is a content creator who uses a virtual avatar to present themselves to their audience. The avatar can take on any form, from a humanoid to an animal, and can be customised in a variety of ways. VTubers use their avatars to stream video games, perform music, host talk shows, and more. Viewers interact with the VTuber through the avatar, making comments and participating in live chats.
VTubing has become a global phenomenon, with popular VTubers from Japan, Korea, and the United States. The popularity of VTubing has also led to the creation of virtual agencies, which manage multiple VTubers and provide support for their content creation.
What Software do VTubers use?
The software used by VTubers to create their avatars is known as Live2D. This software allows for the creation of 2D avatars that can be animated in real-time. The avatars can be customised with different facial expressions, gestures, and movements. Live2D is used by many VTubers and has become the standard for creating virtual avatars.
In addition to Live2D, VTubers use a variety of software for their content creation. This includes streaming software such as OBS and Streamlabs, which allows for the broadcasting of live video to platforms like YouTube and Twitch. VTubers also use video editing software such as Adobe Premiere and Final Cut Pro to create polished videos for their audience.
How to Create Your Own Avatar?
If you’re interested in becoming a VTuber and creating your own avatar, there are a few steps you can take. The first step is to decide on the appearance of your avatar. This can include choosing a species, gender, clothing, and accessories. Once you have a basic idea of what you want your avatar to look like, you can use software like Live2D to create a 2D model.
Creating a 2D model can be challenging, especially if you don’t have experience with graphic design. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you. Online tutorials, forums, and communities can provide guidance and feedback as you create your avatar. You can also hire a professional graphic designer to create your avatar for you.
Once you have your 2D model, you can use software like VUP to animate your avatar in real-time. VUP is a free software that allows for the creation of 2D and 3D avatars. It has a user-friendly interface and can be used with different streaming software. With VUP, you can create a unique and engaging virtual persona for your audience.
According to a report by the market research firm Yano Research Institute, the VTuber market in Japan is expected to grow to 30 billion yen (about $274 million USD) in 2022. This represents a significant increase from the 8.5 billion yen (about $77 million USD) market size in 2018.
In terms of viewership, the most popular VTubers on YouTube have millions of subscribers and views. For example, Kizuna AI, one of the first and most well-known VTubers, has over 5 million subscribers and her videos have been viewed over 700 million times. Other popular VTubers, such as Hololive and Niji Sanji, have also amassed large audiences.
1. Expansion of the VTuber Market
The popularity of VTubing is not limited to Japan. In fact, some of the most popular VTubers are from countries outside of Japan, such as the United States and Korea. For example, the Korean VTuber group K/DA, which is based on the League of Legends game, has over 2 million subscribers on YouTube.
2. Advanced Technology for Immersive Experiences
VTubers are experimenting with AR and VR technology to create more immersive and interactive experiences for their audiences. This could include allowing viewers to interact with the avatar in real-time or creating virtual environments for the avatar to explore.
The growth of the VTuber market has also led to the creation of virtual agencies, which manage multiple VTubers and provide support for their content creation. One such agency, Hololive, has become one of the most well-known virtual agencies, with over 50 VTubers in its roster and a large following.
3. Integration with Gaming
VTubers are already streaming video games, and we could see more collaborations between game developers and virtual agencies to create content specifically for the VTuber audience. This could include creating virtual avatars of popular game characters or integrating the avatar into the gameplay experience.
4. Customization Options for Creators
As technology improves, creators will have access to more advanced customization options, such as advanced facial expressions, gestures, and movements. This will allow creators to have greater control over their virtual avatars and create more unique and personalized content.
5. Continued Growth of Virtual Agencies
As the popularity of VTubers continues to grow, more virtual agencies are expected to emerge. These agencies will provide support for creators in areas such as content creation, social media management, and collaborations with other creators.
Finally, we can expect to see continued growth in the virtual agency model. As the popularity of VTubers continues to grow, more agencies are likely to emerge to provide support for creators and help them grow their audience. This could include providing resources for content creation, managing social media accounts, and coordinating collaborations with other creators.
Overall, the future of VTubing is exciting and full of potential for innovation and growth. As technology advances and more people become interested in virtual avatars, we can expect to see even more creative and engaging content from the world of VTubing.
Conclusion:
The future of the VTuber industry is full of potential for innovation and growth. With the expansion of the market, the use of advanced technology for immersive experiences, integration with gaming, more customization options for creators, and the continued growth of virtual agencies, we can expect to see even more creative and engaging content from the world of VTubing.Â
As more people become interested in creating their own avatars and joining the virtual world of VTubing, we can expect to see even more growth and innovation in this field.
