Understanding Newcomer Persistence in Social VR: A Case Study of VRChat

Newcomers are crucial for the growth of online communities, yet their successful integration into these spaces requires overcoming significant initial hurdles. Social Virtual Reality (VR) platforms are novel avenues that offer unprecedented online interaction experiences. Unlike well-studied two-dimensional online environments, the pathways to successful newcomer integration in online VR spaces are underexplored. Our research addresses this gap by examining the strategies used by newcomers to navigate early challenges in social VR and how they adapt. By focusing on active participants (ranging from newcomers currently navigating these hurdles to veterans who have successfully integrated) we isolate the specific strategies necessary for retention. We interviewed 24 active social VR users and conducted a reflexive thematic analysis. While participants identified barriers such as unfamiliar user interfaces, social norms, and overwhelming sensory input, our analysis reveals the adaptation strategies required to overcome them. Our findings expand on understanding newcomer persistence beyond traditional 2D environments, emphasizing how social dynamics influence the management of VR-specific issues like VR sickness during onboarding. Additionally, we highlight how successful newcomers overcome the lack of clear objectives in social VR by proactively constructing social meaning. We propose design suggestions to scaffold these successful integration pathways.