It’s avatar overload on Twitch this week as the popular livestream platform presents VTuber TAKEOvER Monday to Friday, August 29 to September 2. Featuring VTubers of all shapes, sizes, origins and species, the weeklong event is a celebration of VTubing in all its creative, animated diversity.
VTubers, for those wondering, are streaming presenters who use virtual avatars to better represent their brand, personality or identity, rather than with a face cam. The options for avis ranges from highly details, full 3D models to a simple PNG image — but they all contribute to a vibrant subgenre of online entertainment.
“We have seen exciting growth in VTubing content on Twitch — VTubing content on Twitch has increased 467% year over year,” notes Mary Kish, Director of Community Marketing & Production at Twitch. “What’s also impressive is the technical creativity of some of these avatars, done in such detailed design that they react to a streamer’s facial reactions, objects held and even the ability to change outfits to reflect a game or mood. It’s an example of streamers’ consistent innovation and creativity in the content they produce and speaks volumes about the way that the Twitch community is able to put their unique spin on new trends, with the artists who develop these avatars also receiving ample praise from the streamers with whom they work.”
This week’s TAKEOvER will feature over 100 VTubers and their fan communities, including Tiffany Witcher, LexParteVT, AndrewArcade, Girl_dm_, Delphron and OliviaMonroe.
“In many ways, my VTuber model allows me to be my true, authentic self,” notes the streamer known as ARUU. “It’s a kind of veil that provides a level of comfort I’ve never known while cam streaming. I actually get to be this character that I created and manifested from my own imagination. How wild is that? It’s akin to roleplaying the person that I have always wanted to be. Although VTubing isn’t yet fully accepted by the rest of the world, I truly believe this art form is the future for media entertainment.”
Fans can find their favorite VTuber on the Recommendation Shelf, discover the wide variety of genres they stream on the Front Page Carousel, witness all the different VTuber styles and personalities during the TAKEOvER Fall Guys Tournament on /Twitch, and learn more about becoming a VTuber with the Creator Camp panel.
On Friday, September 2 at 11 a.m. PST, /Twitch will be hosting its very first VTuber only Tournament. Along with hosts Takahata101 and SinderVTuber, we’ll have 30 different VTubers compete in a Fall Guys tournament where anything can happen.
In the Creator Camp, VTubers OliviaMonroe, TiffanyWitcher and Delphron will have an informative conversation about their experience crafting their personas and what it’s like creating a VTuber Persona and streaming on Twitch.
“For me, being a VTuber saved me as a disabled content creator!” TaffanyWitcher shared with Animation Magazine. “Being a VTuber now allowed me to speak about how accessible it can be as an accessibility advocate and help others as it did for me. It’s constantly evolving in the community and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s new around the corner and beyond!”
The creators will discuss the basics of VTubing and what they wish they’d known when they started streaming. The aim of the session is to leave viewrs with the know-how to start VTubing on their own, like basic tips on how to create and maintain a persona, the technical aspects of face tracking and rigging, and the perks of being an anonymous avatar.
The Creator Camp discussion wil lalso delve into the tools used to bring these animated VTubing avatars to life, such as the Pixiv’s Vroid Studio model creator and different facial tracking solutions like VTube Studio, Face Rip and PrprLive.
They’re heeeeeere!
VTubers are taking over Twitch and this vast cast of characters can’t wait to meet you.
See what The TAKEOvER has in store for all of us: https://t.co/wUhDQL8OqQ pic.twitter.com/STvXwX9JaP
— Twitch (@Twitch) August 29, 2022
