Compared with conventional streamers and YouTubers, VTubers (virtual YouTubers) is a relatively new genre of entertainer that gives content creators more flexibility for character development, audience interaction, and location, to name a few advantages.
This article introduces the VTuber content format and how it differs from conventional streamers, followed by our tips on stream ideas to help your content stand out from the crowd.
VTuber vs Conventional Streamer
If we use movies as an analogy, streamers are like live-action films, while VTubers are more like animated films. The former features real people and physical locations; the latter uses 2D (two-dimensional) or 3D (three-dimensional) virtual characters and environments.
Streamers rely on their charisma and sharing their lifestyles and interests to produce content. VTubers, in a way, have more creative freedom. The characters can resemble their actual appearance or be as outlandish as they deem fit, often drawing from anime- and fantasy-inspired aesthetics and storylines to role-play.
Below are some stream ideas to help you create compelling VTuber content.
Play Different Roles
A VTuber is essentially an animated character you created. It can be anything you want it to be and play any role that you believe an audience would find interesting.
Set up lore or backstory for your VTuber character. What is the character's appearance, personality, and background? Is it a hero or a villain? Better yet, let your audience decide the storyline to add a layer of interactiveness.
Improvisation is a fun way to get your fans involved. Perform skits or comedic bits and allow the audience to suggest plot cues.
Act as a news anchor and read news from the character's fictional world or satire real-world current events.
In addition to freedom in visual design, you can get creative with sound, particularly by changing your character’s voice.
Increase Audience Engagement
Audience interaction is an excellent strategy for raising your subscriber base and content engagement. After all, the end game for many creators is monetization.
Leverage Super Chat or other forms of viewer donations to trigger costume changes, voice alterations, facial feature modifications, or even actions.
Q&A in which the VTuber chats with viewers in real time brings the character to life. Many platforms have features allowing fans to "purchase questions."
Leverage New Stream Technology
With technological advancements such as AI-powered, user-friendly software and immersive devices, you can now easily diversify your content mix.
Transform your VTuber character and environment with instant 2D and 3D effects.
Change a character's voice (deep villainous or higher pitch cuteness) using AI voice alteration.
If you're a VTuber or singer, consider hosting your next concert or live show in a 3D virtual world. VTubers interested in organizing live concerts can contact BEATDAY, a virtual entertainment brand by VIVE ORIGINALS. For inspiration, see "HTC's groundbreaking VTuber live show".
Take your viewers into lifelike immersive experiences on platforms like VIVERSE. You can host virtual social events, act as a tour guide for the environments you've created, found and enjoyed, or play games together.
Explore VIVERSE Worlds
Speaking of VIVERSE, it has something called Worlds. Creators can build and share 3D content on this virtual, device-agnostic platform. Users can explore Worlds created by others, follow their favorite creators, and meet like-minded people, adding social elements to the experience.
Here are several popular experiences in VIVERSE Worlds if you're interested in taking your VTuber characters into 3D spaces or virtual reality (VR).
LA Plaza
Inspired by Mexico's Day of the Dead, this is a vibrant and festive environment with a hand-drawn artistic style. Visit this World for fun mask costumes and role-playing parties.
Egyptian Treasure Hunt
Explore the pyramids and solve ancient puzzles. Viewers get to vote on the adventure route or decide whether unlocking a mysterious treasure chest is a good idea.
Hotel of the Underworld
Enter an underground dungeon—if you dare. Get ready for some ghost hunting and paranormal activities. Viewers can trigger eerie, scary surprises using Super Chat.
Star Realm
Join this World for high-speed cosmic flights. It's a team-based sports game designed to turn the audience into participants.
VTuber streams afford content creators more flexibility in character and story design. The medium also offers new ways to engage viewers, monetize, and broaden your content variety. With 3D platforms like VIVERSE, VTubers can even create fully immersive experiences, such as exhibition tours, games, and live concerts—for handheld devices, computers, and VR headsets.