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| '''''VRChat''''' is an online virtual world platform created by Graham Gaylor and Jesse Joudrey<ref>VRChat enters the creator economy. (2023, May 23). Tubefilter. Retrieved September 12, 2023, from https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/05/23/vrchat-creator-monetization/</ref> and operated by VRChat, Inc. The platform allows users to interact with others with user-created 3D avatars and worlds. ''VRChat'' is designed primarily for use with virtual reality headsets, being available for Microsoft Windows PCs and as a native app for Android-based headsets such as Meta Quest, Pico 4, and HTC Vive XR Elite. It is also usable without VR in a "desktop" mode designed for either a mouse and keyboard or gamepad, and in an Android app for touchscreen devices. | | '''Conflict of Interest (COI)''' refers to an individual’s connection to any significant affiliation they may have with a given project, such as a World, Avatar, Prefab, or Community. '''Conflict of Interest editing (COI editing)''' is when someone closely connected to a project creates a page for that project or makes significant edits to it. |
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| ''VRChat'' was first released as a Windows application for the Oculus Rift DK1 prototype on January 16, 2014, and was later released to the Steam early access program on February 1, 2017.
| | COI isn’t just a standalone policy but works alongside other important guidelines like [[VRCWiki:Notability|Notability]], [[VRCWiki:Neutral point of view|Neutral Point of View]] (NPOV), or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_original_research No Original Research] (NOR). These policies work together to prevent issues like biased content or undue promotion of a person’s own project. For instance, Notability must be determined by independent sources, not by the person creating the project, which is where the COI policy helps by restricting creators from self-defining their projects’ Notability. |
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| ==Features==
| | While it’s not assumed that someone with a COI will intentionally promote or advertise their project, there’s a greater risk of unintentionally embellishing information, leaving out key facts, or treating the page as if it’s a personal primary source. |
| ''VRChat'''s gameplay is similar to that of games such as ''Second Life'' and ''Habbo Hotel''.<ref name="Polygon1">Alexander, J. (2017, December 22). VRChat is a bizarre phenomenon that has Twitch, YouTube obsessed. Polygon. Retrieved January 9, 2018, from https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/22/16805452/vrchat-steam-vive-oculus-twitch-youtube</ref> The game is made up of thousands of connected worlds,<ref name=":3">Getting Dressed for the Metaverse. (2022, August 9). Esquire. Retrieved August 11, 2022, from https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/a40803280/metaverse-fashion/</ref> in which players can interact with each other through virtual avatars.<ref name="Polygon1" /> Avatars and worlds are created and uploaded by their users<ref name=":3" /> using a software development kit for Unity released alongside the game.<ref name="Polygon1" /> Player avatars are capable of supporting lip syncing, eye tracking, and blinking, in addition to mimicking head and hand motion.<ref>Forrest, D. (2017, February 1). 'VRChat' Is A Social Platform, A Dev Sandbox, And A Step In The Right Direction. Tom's Hardware. Retrieved January 14, 2018, from http://www.tomshardware.com/news/vrchat-oculus-rift-htc-vive,33557.html</ref><ref name="Polygon1" /> Trends and variations of avatars spread through the community like memes, and avatars themselves are often distributed for free, or sold through online marketplaces such as Gumroad and Booth.<ref name=":3" />
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| ''VRChat'' is also capable of running in "desktop mode" without a VR headset, which is controlled using either a mouse and keyboard or a gamepad. Some limitations exist in desktop mode, such as the inability to freely move an avatar's limbs,<ref>Jecks, C. (2018, January 8). VRChat: Do You Need a VR Headset to Play? Twinfinite. Retrieved February 23, 2018, from http://twinfinite.net/2018/01/vrchat-need-vr-headset/</ref> or perform interactions that require more than one hand.
| | == Identifying a Conflict of Interest == |
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| In 2020, ''VRChat'' introduced Udon, a visual programming language which uses a node graph system. While still considered alpha software, it became usable on publicly-accessible worlds beginning in April 2020.<ref>Tupper, (2020, April 1). Introducing VRChat Udon: Unlocking Coding for Creators. VRChat. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://medium.com/vrchat/introducing-vrchat-udon-unlocking-coding-for-creators-ce411a6390d1</ref> A third-party compiler, UdonSharp, was developed to allow world scripts to be written in C#.<ref>VRChat向け自動更新ポスターまとめの使い方. (2021, September 6). PANORA. Retrieved December 1, 2021, from https://panora.tokyo/archives/33123</ref>
| | You would have a Conflict of Interest if you: |
| | * Created the project. |
| | * Contributed significantly to developing, moderating, or running the project. |
| | * Were the main financial backer of the project (e.g., through a commission). |
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| In 2022, support for the [[Open Sound Control]] (OSC) protocol was added for more advanced interactions with external software and devices.<ref name=":2">Taylor, M. (2022, July 26). VRChat is being review bombed to hell and back after anti-cheat announcement. PC Gamer. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.pcgamer.com/vrchat-is-being-review-bombed-to-hell-and-back-after-anti-cheat-announcement/</ref> Later in the year, ''VRChat'' began to implement a secondary application—"Creator Companion"—for managing Unity IDE installations, projects, and downloading community packages using a Unity Package Manager (UPM)-compatible format.<ref>The VRChat Creator Companion is Now Live!. (2023, May 30). VRChat. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://hello.vrchat.com/blog/creator-companion-live</ref> The previous ''VRChat'' SDK2 was deprecated in February 2023, with the Udon-based SDK 3.x becoming mandatory for all future content.<ref>Choosing your SDK. (2023, May 30). VRChat. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://docs.vrchat.com/docs/choosing-your-sdk</ref>
| | == COI Policies == |
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| === Trust Roles ===
| | The VRChat Wiki has two main policies regarding COI and COI editing: |
| Users of ''VRChat'' are classified into various [[Trust Rank|trust levels]], based on factors such as the time they spend on the platform, received and outgoing friend requests. All users begin at the "Visitor" rank (grey). When promoted to "New User" (blue) rank, they are given the ability to upload their own content using the VRChat SDK. This is followed by "User" (green), "Known User" (orange), "Trusted User" (purple), and friends (yellow). Users can choose to toggle communications, avatars, and avatar features based on their trust level. Additionally, users can gain a "Nuisance" rank (grey) after gaining too many infractions, such as being muted, and having all communications, avatars, and avatar features blocked.<ref>VRChat Safety and Trust System. (2021, January 3). VRChat. Retrieved April 22, 2021, from https://docs.vrchat.com/docs/vrchat-safety-and-trust-system</ref> It is important to note however that trust is not necessarily an indicative of a user's attitude or reputation on the platform, but merely a representation of how much time they have spent and contributions made (in the form of avatar and world creation).{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} (Other roles have existed for specific players in the past, but have since been revoked and removed for unknown reasons.)
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| === VRChat Plus ===
| | # <big>Editors who created or contributed significantly to a project are '''not allowed''' to '''create''' pages for that project.</big> |
| In November 2020, the service announced the VRChat Plus subscription service. On launch, it allows users to display a custom avatar image on their nameplates, increases the number of avatars they can save in their favorites from 50 to 300, grants them an "increased trust rating", and allows them to attach an in-game photo to an invite request. Other exclusive features for subscribers are also in development.<ref>Hayden, S. (2020, December 7). 'VRChat' Launches Premium Membership, Now in 'Early Supporter' Phase on Steam. Road to VR. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://www.roadtovr.com/vrchat-plus-membership-early-supporter/</ref><ref>Baker, H. (2020, December 4). VRChat Plus, Paid Subscription Option, Now Available On Steam. UploadVR. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://uploadvr.com/vrchat-plus-subscription-steam/</ref><ref>VRChat 2021.1.2. (2021, February 2). VRChat. Retrieved May 8, 2021, from https://docs.vrchat.com/docs/vrchat-202112</ref>
| | # <big>Editors with a COI are limited to making only [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Minor_edit '''minor edits'''] to pages related to their project.</big> |
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| === Groups ===
| | Pages created in violation of these policies may be '''deleted''', and the editor will be notified. |
| In November 2022, the service began to deploy a Groups feature, which allows VRChat Plus subscribers to create social groups on the platform. Groups can also host their own world instances for organized gatherings and events.<ref>Groups is Now Live!. (2024, March 30). VRChat. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://hello.vrchat.com/blog/vrchat-groups</ref>
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| === Creator Economy ===
| | Editors who repeatedly violate this policy may face further actions, including editing restrictions or removal of their editing rights. |
| In May 2023, ''VRChat'' announced that it would add a new monetization system known as the [[Creator Economy]]. Initially, this allows eligible groups to offer subscriptions (via a paid digital currency known as "VRChat Credits") that can, in turn, allow access to exclusive features in worlds (such as, for instance, VIP rooms) for supporters. 50% of revenue from subscriptions go to the group owner.<ref>VRChat enters the creator economy. (2023, May 23). Tubefilter. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.tubefilter.com/2023/05/23/vrchat-creator-monetization/</ref><ref>VRChat Paid Creator Subscriptions Enter Full Release. (2023, December 6). UploadVR. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.uploadvr.com/vr-chat-creators-paid-subscriptions/</ref><ref>Paid Subscriptions: Now in Open Beta!. (2024, March 30). VRChat. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://hello.vrchat.com/blog/paid-subscriptions-beta</ref>
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| ==Hardware support== | | == Situations That May Not Be Conflicts of Interest == |
| ''VRChat'' has extensive support for a large number of PC-compatible VR headsets and accessories, including Oculus Rift, Meta Quest (via Quest Link), and SteamVR-compatible headsets (such as HTC Vive and Valve Index). ''VRChat'' is also available as a native app for Android-based standalone headsets, including Meta Quest, Pico 4,<ref>VRChat Is Now Available On Pico 4. (2023, November 9). UploadVR. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.uploadvr.com/vrchat-pico-4/</ref> and HTC Vive XR Elite.<ref name=":5">VRChat Now On Vive XR Elite, With Body Tracking Support. (2023, December 2). UploadVR. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.uploadvr.com/vrchat-vive-xr-elite-body-tracking-vive-ultimate-trackers/</ref> These clients support cross-platform play with PC users; due to hardware limitations, only worlds and avatars compiled for Android and optimized within specific constraints can be accessed on the Android version. In January 2024, ''VRChat'' began to offer automatically-generated fallback versions of avatars.<ref>VRChat Now Automatically Generates Mobile Avatar Versions. (2024, January 10). UploadVR. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.uploadvr.com/vrchat-avtar-impostors-mobile-version/</ref><ref>Here's How VRChat Will Work On Oculus Quest. (2019, April 11). UploadVR. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://uploadvr.com/vrchat-quest-limitations-details/</ref>
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| In March 2023, it was announced that versions of ''VRChat'' were in development for Android and iOS smartphones.<ref name=":4">Hayden, S. (2023, March 31). 'VRChat' Flatscreen Version Now in Development for Android and iOS. Road to VR. Retrieved May 30, 2023, from https://www.roadtovr.com/vrchat-version-android-ios-release/</ref> The Android version was initially released in a closed alpha for VRChat Plus subscribers on August 18, 2023, and is compatible with content built for Android-based headsets.<ref>VRChat Mobile Alpha Now Available On Android. (2023, August 18). UploadVR. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from https://www.uploadvr.com/vrchat-mobile-alpha-now-available-on/</ref>
| | Conflict of Interest isn’t always a clear-cut situation. It’s more of a spectrum, where even a slight affiliation can be enough to warrant caution. In cases of doubt, it's better to disclose any potential COI. However, there are many instances where someone with a mild affiliation can still contribute meaningfully. |
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| [[Finger tracking]] and gesture recognition is supported on controllers such as the Index Controller and Oculus Touch, allowing users' finger movements to be reflected by their avatar, and hand poses to trigger linked animations (such as a corresponding facial expression).<ref>Oculus Touch. (2021, January 3). VRChat. Retrieved November 12, 2020, from https://docs.vrchat.com/docs/touch</ref><ref>Valve Index Controllers. (2021, January 3). VRChat. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from https://docs.vrchat.com/docs/valve-index</ref> ''VRChat'' also supports SteamVR full-body tracking for motion capture of waist and leg motions, typically by using HTC's Vive Tracker peripherals or alternative devices (such as Kinect, or Virtual Desktop on Quest).<ref>Virtual Desktop On Quest 3 Can Now Emulate Vive Trackers. (2024, March 14). UploadVR. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.uploadvr.com/virtual-desktop-quest-3-inside-out-body-tracking-vive-tracker-emulation/</ref><ref name=":1">Moss, G. (2018, November 30). VRChat's Full-Body Tracking Attracts Pole Dancers, Breakdancers and More. VR Fitness Insider. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://www.vrfitnessinsider.com/vrchats-full-body-tracking-pole-dancers/</ref><ref>Carbotte, K. (2017, September 16). You Can Use A Kinect For Full Body Tracking In SteamVR; Here's How. Tom's Hardware. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://www.tomshardware.com/news/driver4vr-kinect-full-body-vr-tracking,35476.html</ref> The Vive XR Elite version supports the Vive Ultimate Tracker accessory.<ref name=":5" />
| | One way to gauge your potential COI is by considering how easy it would be to end your involvement with the project. If you could easily walk away without much impact, you likely have a minor COI. But if your involvement is deeply tied to the project’s success or history, '''your COI is more significant'''. |
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| ==Community==
| | If you think you have even a slight COI, it’s a good practice to mention it in your edit summary and ensure that your edits follow all guidelines, particularly [[VRCWiki:NPOV|NPOV]]. |
| ''VRChat'''s popularity has been attributed to use by YouTubers and Twitch streamers.<ref name="Polygon1" /> ''VRChat'' has spawned media such as a weekly newspaper in its forums, and talk shows and podcasts dedicated to a discussion of the game.<ref name="Polygon1" /> After an initial wave of viral popularity upon its release, the platform saw a steady increase in concurrent users with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and direct quarantine policies. There were recorded spikes in viewership of ''VRChat''-related Twitch streams in mid-2020 and September 2020.<ref name=":0">Lang, B. (2020, November 4). Spurred by Quest 2 Launch, 'VRChat' Hits Record 24,000 Concurrent Users, More Than Half in VR. Road to VR. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://www.roadtovr.com/vrchat-record-concurrent-users-traffic-quest-2/</ref> The service reported a record of over 24,000 concurrent users over the Halloween weekend (with over half using it on a VR platform), spurred by holiday events and the recent release of the Oculus Quest 2.<ref name=":0" /> On December 31, 2020, the service recorded a new record of over 40,000 concurrent users for New Year's Eve, to the point that it experienced a major outage around midnight in the Eastern Time Zone due to a security provider having mistaken the surge as a denial-of-service attack.<ref>Tupper. (2021, January 5). VRChat's New Years 2021 — or, what the $%@& was that?. VRChat. Retrieved January 9, 2021, from https://medium.com/vrchat/vrchats-new-years-2021-or-what-the-was-that-d84334789f77</ref>
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| Assets such as avatars and related content are often sold on online marketplaces such as Gumroad and Booth.<ref name=":6">Gladwin, R. S. (2024, March 29). Trans people are turning to VR as society fails them. Mashable. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://mashable.com/article/trans-people-are-turning-to-virtual-reality-as-society-fails-them</ref> The Japanese company Hikky has organized a series of events on VRChat known as "Virtual Market" ("VKet"), a virtual fan convention focused on the sale of digital assets by members of the VRChat community; the event has also attracted virtual booths and sponsor presences by companies such as Bandai Namco, Disney, East Japan Railway Company, and HP.<ref>Lang, B. (2021, November 15). Social VR Startup Raises $57 Million Investment Led by Major Japanese Mobile Network. Road to VR. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://www.roadtovr.com/hikky-vket-series-a-investment-ntt-docomo/</ref><ref>Japan companies go virtual to boost real-world profits. Nikkei Asia. Retrieved March 30, 2024, from https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Startups/Japan-companies-go-virtual-to-boost-real-world-profits</ref>
| | Here are some examples, from most to least significant: |
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| The platform has a notable community of transgender users, as the use of avatars have allowed individuals to discover and portray an expression of themselves that suits their gender identity, especially if they live in regions where the transgender community faces prejudice. VRC Trans Academy—a support group for transgender users on ''VRChat''—had over 22,000 members as of March 2024.<ref name=":6" />
| | ==== Having a personal relationship with someone affiliated with a project ==== |
| | This is a tricky one. Relationships can vary from close personal ties to casual online connections (e.g., "mutuals on social media"). Only you can assess the nature of your relationship and whether it would influence your edits. Be extra cautious here. |
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| === Music and dance === | | ==== Financial support for a project ==== |
| The platform has attracted various music-oriented communities and events; dancers have leveraged full-body tracking support to give virtual performances and classes within ''VRChat'', including ballet, breaking, and pole dance.<ref name=":12">Moss, G. (2018, November 30). VRChat's Full-Body Tracking Attracts Pole Dancers, Breakdancers and More. VR Fitness Insider. Retrieved January 3, 2021, from https://www.vrfitnessinsider.com/vrchats-full-body-tracking-pole-dancers/</ref>
| | Supporting a project financially can show significant interest, but it doesn’t always mean you have direct involvement. A financial backer might still be independent enough to edit objectively but should still disclose their support. This isn’t always a major COI on its own but should be noted. |
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| Online dance music events have also occurred on ''VRChat'', especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. They are organized by collectives, take place within virtual nightclubs, and sometimes simulcast on live streaming platforms such as Twitch.<ref>Staying in to go out: exploring the VRChat club scene. (2021, May 28). NME. Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.nme.com/en_asia/features/gaming-features/exploring-vrchats-underground-nightclub-scene-2951486</ref><ref>LONER Online Pushes the Boundaries of Gaming and Night Clubbing on VRChat [Interview]. (2020, November 27). Your EDM. Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://www.youredm.com/2020/11/27/loner-online-pushes-the-boundaries-of-gaming-and-night-clubbing-on-vrchat-interview/</ref> In partnership with the VRChat-based electronic music festival SlyFest, British drum and bass producer Muzz organized a virtual concert tour consisting of headlining appearances at multiple VRChat events in 2021, including support from other producers such as Feint, Mollie Collins, and Teddy Killerz.<ref>Meadow, M. (2021, April 5). MUZZ Will Launch Virtual Reality Tour With Teddy Killerz, Feint, & More. Your EDM. Retrieved August 27, 2023, from https://www.youredm.com/2021/04/05/muzz-will-launch-virtual-reality-tour-with-teddy-killerz-feint-more/</ref>
| | ==== Community membership ==== |
| | Being part of a project’s community might mean participating in events or discussions, but this involvement is usually less concerning in terms of COI. As long as standard guidelines are followed, community membership usually presents a low COI risk. |
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| In June 2020, French electronic musician Jean-Michel Jarre presented a virtual concert experience in ''VRChat'', "[[Alone Together]]".<ref>French Musician Jean-Michel Jarre To Perform In VRChat This Weekend. (2020, June 18). UploadVR. Retrieved October 12, 2021, from https://uploadvr.com/jean-michel-jarre-vrchat-concert/</ref> On December 31, 2020, Jarre presented a second virtual concert for New Year's Eve, "Welcome to the Other Side", which was broadcast across other radio, television, and online platforms from outside of the Notre-Dame cathedral, and featured an interactive companion experience on ''VRChat'', taking place in a world recreating its interior.<ref>Ewing, J. (2021, January 5). Jean-Michel Jarre celebrates 75million viewers for NYE show. Louder Sound. Retrieved February 10, 2021, from https://www.loudersound.com/news/jean-michel-jarre-celebrates-75million-viewers-for-nye-show</ref>
| | ==== Strong interest in a project ==== |
| | Having a passion for a project doesn’t necessarily mean you have a COI. In fact, it’s encouraged! Everyone contributing to the VRChat Wiki does so as a volunteer, and editors often contribute to topics that interest them. Just make sure your edits remain neutral and well-sourced. |
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| ==External links== | | == Example Scenario == |
| *{{VRC link|https://www.vrchat.net|Official website}}
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| ==References== | | Let’s consider a hypothetical project called "'''Super Fun World'''": |
| {{Reflist}} | | |
| | * The creator of Super Fun World cannot create a page for the project, but a community member can. |
| | * If the community member is also a Patreon supporter of the project, they should disclose this in the edit summary. |
| | * A 3D modeller for Super Fun World notices a typo on the page and corrects it with a minor edit. |
| | * The creator of Super Fun World sees an incorrect event date on the page and fixes it with a minor edit, providing a valid source. |
| | * A dedicated fan of Super Fun World reads a new development blog and uses the information to update the article in a neutral, sourced manner. |
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| | == Conflict of Interest Noticebox == |
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| | If an article contains content primarily written by someone with a '''partial''' Conflict of Interest, it will display the following noticebox: |
| | {{Noticebox/Conflict of interest}} |
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| | This noticebox cannot be used to bypass the two core COI policies. Pages created in violation of these policies are still subject to deletion, even if the noticebox is present. |
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| | To add this noticebox to a page, use the following text: |
| | <nowiki>{{Noticebox/Conflict of interest}}</nowiki> |
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| | == See also == |
| | * [[VRCWiki:Guidelines]] |
| | * [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest Wikipedia:Conflict of interest] on Wikipedia |
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| | [[Category:VRCWiki policies]] |
Conflict of Interest (COI) refers to an individual’s connection to any significant affiliation they may have with a given project, such as a World, Avatar, Prefab, or Community. Conflict of Interest editing (COI editing) is when someone closely connected to a project creates a page for that project or makes significant edits to it.
COI isn’t just a standalone policy but works alongside other important guidelines like Notability, Neutral Point of View (NPOV), or No Original Research (NOR). These policies work together to prevent issues like biased content or undue promotion of a person’s own project. For instance, Notability must be determined by independent sources, not by the person creating the project, which is where the COI policy helps by restricting creators from self-defining their projects’ Notability.
While it’s not assumed that someone with a COI will intentionally promote or advertise their project, there’s a greater risk of unintentionally embellishing information, leaving out key facts, or treating the page as if it’s a personal primary source.
Identifying a Conflict of Interest
You would have a Conflict of Interest if you:
- Created the project.
- Contributed significantly to developing, moderating, or running the project.
- Were the main financial backer of the project (e.g., through a commission).
COI Policies
The VRChat Wiki has two main policies regarding COI and COI editing:
- Editors who created or contributed significantly to a project are not allowed to create pages for that project.
- Editors with a COI are limited to making only minor edits to pages related to their project.
Pages created in violation of these policies may be deleted, and the editor will be notified.
Editors who repeatedly violate this policy may face further actions, including editing restrictions or removal of their editing rights.
Situations That May Not Be Conflicts of Interest
Conflict of Interest isn’t always a clear-cut situation. It’s more of a spectrum, where even a slight affiliation can be enough to warrant caution. In cases of doubt, it's better to disclose any potential COI. However, there are many instances where someone with a mild affiliation can still contribute meaningfully.
One way to gauge your potential COI is by considering how easy it would be to end your involvement with the project. If you could easily walk away without much impact, you likely have a minor COI. But if your involvement is deeply tied to the project’s success or history, your COI is more significant.
If you think you have even a slight COI, it’s a good practice to mention it in your edit summary and ensure that your edits follow all guidelines, particularly NPOV.
Here are some examples, from most to least significant:
Having a personal relationship with someone affiliated with a project
This is a tricky one. Relationships can vary from close personal ties to casual online connections (e.g., "mutuals on social media"). Only you can assess the nature of your relationship and whether it would influence your edits. Be extra cautious here.
Financial support for a project
Supporting a project financially can show significant interest, but it doesn’t always mean you have direct involvement. A financial backer might still be independent enough to edit objectively but should still disclose their support. This isn’t always a major COI on its own but should be noted.
Being part of a project’s community might mean participating in events or discussions, but this involvement is usually less concerning in terms of COI. As long as standard guidelines are followed, community membership usually presents a low COI risk.
Strong interest in a project
Having a passion for a project doesn’t necessarily mean you have a COI. In fact, it’s encouraged! Everyone contributing to the VRChat Wiki does so as a volunteer, and editors often contribute to topics that interest them. Just make sure your edits remain neutral and well-sourced.
Example Scenario
Let’s consider a hypothetical project called "Super Fun World":
- The creator of Super Fun World cannot create a page for the project, but a community member can.
- If the community member is also a Patreon supporter of the project, they should disclose this in the edit summary.
- A 3D modeller for Super Fun World notices a typo on the page and corrects it with a minor edit.
- The creator of Super Fun World sees an incorrect event date on the page and fixes it with a minor edit, providing a valid source.
- A dedicated fan of Super Fun World reads a new development blog and uses the information to update the article in a neutral, sourced manner.
Conflict of Interest Noticebox
If an article contains content primarily written by someone with a partial Conflict of Interest, it will display the following noticebox:
Conflict of interest
This page was written by an involved party in violation of the Conflict of interest policy, and may be subject to removal. Once this page has enough edits from varying parties, this notice may be removed.
Consider editing this page.This noticebox cannot be used to bypass the two core COI policies. Pages created in violation of these policies are still subject to deletion, even if the noticebox is present.
To add this noticebox to a page, use the following text:
{{Noticebox/Conflict of interest}}
See also
