VRChat’s most DIVISIVE world

Black Cat is the most popular VRChat world, but it’s also the most hated… Here’s the story of how it got here, and what it actually means :)

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[Lumiverse.]

I like the term "virtual universe" more than "metaverse." It's descriptive and the name says exactly what it is.

[StonedHunter]

Honestly both sides have their points. It can either be a great time or ruin your whole night. It really just depends on what time you're on and what instance you end up in. As long as you have your safeties on and aren't afraid to block people then go ahead and check it out. If you don't have a good time you can always find another instance or world.

[sir_couglet]

Sometimes in VRchat, if I don’t feel like talking to anybody but still want a living world, I’ll put on a Bartender Avatar and pretend to sort glasses at Black Cat while actually being there to listen to all the crazy, interesting, and hilarious things that occur. Having a couple Tall Boys or Pot really drives home that fun and in turn, everyone gets some realism with a Bartender in the background while telling their stories.

[Photasmatic]

I remember the cat when it started becoming popular. It was basically just a quest compatible pug at the time. It was a small world for a while because for the first year the quest existed, quest users were few and far between. Now the pug is basically just a PC only black cat.

[ImperfectAce]

I love people who speak through piano and other instruments. It honestly never gets old.

[curiousyuta]

Me personally, I only get on vrchat because I love exploring worlds! Even though I'm a minor myself, the kids on vrchat is definitely another big issue. I can't even relax without one of them just screaming in their mic.

[ThatOneRebel]

Hey! I am in the video I was the VRChat Veteran. Thanks for Phia for wanting to share my experiences with The Great Pug and The Black Cat. I do think there are plenty of great worlds to explore VRChat and find friends. My recommendation is "No Time Two Talk" world which randomly places you in a room with other players 1 on 1 to meet and talk and share interests. I think it's the best place to meet people otherwise exploring VRChat and the new group update will help out newer players find their friends! <3

[CupidGaming]

As a VRChat player myself, I can say this hits right on the point. VRChat is essentially the Internet as a whole, a lot of stuff happens. The Black Cat certainly has to deal with the lobbies full of children, the crashers, the trolls, etc. But I have also met a lot of really chill people there. It's not the world itself, it's the community that surrounds it. Watching the chaos unfold, people watching, can be quiet fun. If you get a bad luck of the draw on your lobby, well, you can always switch, there's more than one lobby. If none work, then come back later. The Black Cat is just one of those that's hard to explain, you kind of just have to experience it yourself.

[darwinprime]

I'm a pretty shy person in VR. When I jump in, I usually just hide in the Treehouse in the Shade in my custom avatar, and watch and listen. I'll talk if somebody asks me, but I just have a hard problem figuring out how to interact with people.

At first, I dropped into Black Cat, and it was just too chaotic for me. Nightclubs that are nightclub-like, i can deal with. But a place like it... it's just too chaotic for me. Too many people talking at once, and it confuses and frustrates me.

I love VR, and I like being able to watch people, but something in my brain, the same thing that makes it hard to make friends, makes the Black Cat feel more isolating and frightening.

[Filthyweeb]

As a frequent VRChat player I just automatically hide the kids and the trolls whenever I see them without giving them a chance. it makes life so much easier

[Dragonorder]

The Black cat seems to have a fairly well thought name it seems. You take a risk of bad luck at times, but you still would want to pet the cat at times. So just like that, you take a risk of meeting those crazy ones, in order to step in and find good friends who make you feel warm and happy.

[buzzbros]

Sitting at a booth in Black Cat with SteamVR opening two windows so I can get work done is almost like working at a coffee shop with a bunch of chaos crazy people in real life, but the benefit of knowing that I'm not risking someone actually trying to take my laptop to throw at a cashier like what happened IRL a few years ago in Hollywood. Somehow an amazing environment to work from home in!

[inventor]

I'm a Quest owner (not the Quest 2) and the atmosphere of the Black cat between when I got my Quest and after the Quest 2 is completely different.

And pretty much as soon as the Quest 2 came out it became a toy similar to a gaming console. The problem with the Quest 2 wasn't just it's price point (it was also Facebook and the requirement of a Facebook account) but the fact that there was zero way for a parent to moderate the content their kids were exposed to. Unlike the TV, computer, handheld consoles, TV consoles, or even a phone you can't see what your kid is doing in VR, especially with a standalone headset. A parent might be able to see what games they are playing but they have no idea what their kid is actually doing (over the shoulder capability). Add to that and in VR most people don't know if a person is a kid until the kid speaks so there is no way use selective speech, you either have to treat everyone in earshot as a kid, or treat everyone in earshot as an adult. The complete lack of supervision is a serious problem and I've told parents. If you kid is younger than 15 don't get them a VR headset, or a smartphone.

I originally bought a Quest so I could show clients 3D models in a way that wouldn't have me lugging a PC everywhere I go or forcing them to come to me. It was very much worth the investment and I made back said investment within a few days. VR is STILL an incredible tool but because it mimics real life and gives everyone an effective mask to hide behind it's difficult to effectively manage it, and just like we wouldn't leave kids unsupervised irl we really shouldn't be doing that in VR.

[beanmchocolate]

Black cat is like the Big City in VRChat. It has the most people, meaning you have the highest chance of meeting some really bad people. Before going to Black Cat, be sure to get ready to record, and report, and use a custom safety settings shield that prevents anyone's avatars from being shown with the exception of friends. It's incredibly dangeous.

[IronCrown]

Love that low chord the piano crab did. They really nailed it.

[SheikAshii]

I completly forgot about the days where it was so rare to see a VR user in VRC. Those were the days. That guy was right, we were all so envious of the gods that could afford it so rarely on haha

[diegoviramontes]

One time me and a dude in a clone trooper avatar were waterboarding a goose for information. 10/10 would play again

[synthwavedaddy]

"I'm here for the crackhead energy"

Same...

[MikeCore]

I feel it's important to mention the black cats open space layout compared to the pug. the pug had a lot more narrowed closed spaces which once more of the player base began to actually have VR it's a little overwhelming to all cram together body ontop of body. the black cat allowed for that comfortable distance.

[bryanparks]

I just wanted to take a moment thank you for your work in showing us around the VR Worlds of VRChat and educating us in all things VR. We really both appreciate and enjoy everything you continue to do for the community!