One of the most anticipated VRChat features is now available: Groups!

Not sure what Groups is? In short, Groups is a new system that will make it easier for everyone to find the coolest communities and creations VRChat has to offer.

They’re such a big feature for VRChat that we’ve gone ahead and dedicated a new Developer Update Video to them! Check it out:

If you're more of a words-person, check out our blog post on Groups!

Client

Features

• Introduced stage one of the VRChat Groups rollout!
  • See our YouTube video for more details and a quick introduction
  • As mentioned in the blog post, this is the first stage. It includes the most important and foundational features for Groups to function
  • VRChat Plus is required to create a group, but not required to join one. To create a group, you'll need to do so through the VRChat website (for now!)
• You can now toggle output logging on and off! Find the option to do so in the Quick Menu under the debugging section
  • Turning off logging can improve performance, but if you encounter issues, you won't be able to refer to your output log for more information
  • You can find logs on Quest in the root folder under Logs
  • Quest will always default to having logging disabled on startup for performance reasons

Improvements

• Improved initial loading times on Quest
• Added a shield level quick-switching modal to the Quick Menu
• Improved memory usage for Udon-heavy worlds

Performance

• Moving your mouse over UI elements should be much faster

Fixes

• Fixed worlds having broken legacy shaders
• Fixed worlds with empty UdonBehaviours failing to load
• Fixed some ordering issues with Udon events on world load (introduced in 1261)
• Fixed positioning for local player's mirror nameplate and chat bubble
• Fixed nameplates moving while players are in AFK animation
• Fixed odd IK behavior with SDK2 avatars
• Fixed some UI issues when changing the aspect ratio
• Various fixes to logging out and back in as a different user
• Fixed menu gesture with hand-tracking on Quest firmware v47
• Fixed some issues related to switching accounts
• Fixed VRCat disappearing when switching hands on QM
• VRCat's earmuffs have been found and attached a little more tightly this time!

Other Changes

• Disabled AVPro in Proton again due to audio issues, added back --enable-avpro-in-proton launch option to override for debugging (or if you don't mind the audio issues)
• Safety, security, and stability changes

Known Issues

• Release blocker: Another user joining your instance can cause the "Person has joined your instance" notification to persist
  • This is the lone issue holding this back from being a release candidate
  • We are currently investigating
  • If you can reliably reproduce this issue with exact steps 100% of the time, please post to our feedback boards: https://feedback.vrchat.com/open-beta

Changes since Beta

Groups

Features

• You are now able to set the visibility of a Public Group in your profile!
  • You can choose between Visible, Friends Only, and Hidden
  • Visible: Anyone can see that you're a member of the public group in your user profile
  • Friends Only: Only your friends can see that you're a member of that group
  • Hidden: The group won't be visible in your profile to anyone, except yourself and other members of that group
• Added the ability to report Groups
  • Click "Report Group" in the top right of the Group profile to report a group
  • You can select the category of report to submit
  • You can also provide custom text to add more details
  • If urgent assistance is required, please use our Moderation ticket system

Improvements

• Added ability to invite users to groups from quick menu or profile page
• Added scroll bars to the "About This Group" and "Rules" panels
• You can now expand group announcement images
• When Streamer Mode is active, group notification popups in the HUD and Quick Menu are suppressed
• Fixed viewing profile of user requesting to join group from notification
• Fixed not being able to accept group instance invite requests
• Fixed the ability to set group visibility as a member (and also added that cool feature up there)
• Fixed long group rules overflowing on "Join Group" dialog
• Fixed icon for group notifications

Fixes

• Fixed voice visual effect on nameplate as well as some visual issues with groups-enabled nameplates
• Fixed viewing profile of user requesting to join group from notification
• Fixed not being able to accept group instance invite requests
• Fixed the ability to set group visibility as a member (and also added that cool feature up there)
• Fixed long group rules overflowing on "Join Group" dialog
• Fixed icon for group notifications

General Fixes and Improvements

• Fixed mouse cursor not appearing in login menu
• Fixed "Favorite" button for avatars sometimes not working