Community:Furry culture in VRChat: Difference between revisions

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==History ==
==History ==


==== In human history ====
===In human history===
Anthropomorphism has been recorded in human expression for thousands of years. One of the earliest examples for this, is the pre-historic [[wikipedia:Lion-man|Lion-man]]<ref>http://www.loewenmensch.de/lion_man.html</ref> figurine, created about 40,000 years ago. Cave paintings throughout time, display interaction between animals and humans. Mythological Egyptian and Greek gods, goddesses and creatures, such as Anubis, Ra, Proteus, or the Minotaur are fables involving human-like bipedal creatures from ancient times, passed down for generations.
Anthropomorphism has been recorded in human expression for thousands of years. One of the earliest examples for this, is the pre-historic [[wikipedia:Lion-man|Lion-man]]<ref>http://www.loewenmensch.de/lion_man.html</ref> figurine, created about 40,000 years ago. Cave paintings throughout time, display interaction between animals and humans. Mythological Egyptian and Greek gods, goddesses and creatures, such as Anubis, Ra, Proteus, or the Minotaur are fables involving human-like bipedal creatures from ancient times, passed down for generations.


==== Early furry fandom ====
===Early furry fandom ===
Modern art and literature containing anthropomorphic animals have been expressed by humans over the past few centuries, however, the biggest influences for the early furry fandom are 20th century science fiction, and animation. Notable examples of this are Kimba The White Lion, Albedo's Anthropomorphics, and Disney movies such as Robin Hood (1977), and Pete's Dragon.
Modern art and literature containing anthropomorphic animals have been expressed by humans over the past few centuries, however, the biggest influences for the early furry fandom are 20th century science fiction, and animation. Notable examples of this are Kimba The White Lion, Albedo's Anthropomorphics, and Disney movies such as Robin Hood (1977), and Pete's Dragon.


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People in the early furry fandom had an overlapping interest with science fiction, and Japanese animation. Niche parties were held at science fiction conventions in the late 1970s, which eventually led to the creation of the "Cartoon/Fantasy Organization" in 1977 by the late Mark Merlino<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWGfMxoMc5Y Furality 2000 - History of the Furry Fandom], featuring Mark Merlino, on YouTube; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref> and Fred Patten<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Patten Fred Patten] on Wikipedia; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref>.
People in the early furry fandom had an overlapping interest with science fiction, and Japanese animation. Niche parties were held at science fiction conventions in the late 1970s, which eventually led to the creation of the "Cartoon/Fantasy Organization" in 1977 by the late Mark Merlino<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWGfMxoMc5Y Furality 2000 - History of the Furry Fandom], featuring Mark Merlino, on YouTube; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref> and Fred Patten<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Patten Fred Patten] on Wikipedia; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref>.


==== Conventions ====
===Conventions===
By 1988, the first organized ''furry convention'' was held in California, USA as "Confurence" Zero<ref>[https://confurence.com/about/ Confurence's official About page]; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref><ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ConFurence Confurence] on Wikipedia; retrieved Septmeber 18, 2024</ref>. Furry conventions are in-person congregations of furries, and furry fans to meet friends, cosplay, host and attend panels, and exchange art and merchandise with vendors. Most furry conventions sponsor a charity, and host community-run events and panels throughout the duration of a convention.
By 1988, the first organized ''furry convention'' was held in California, USA as "Confurence" Zero<ref>[https://confurence.com/about/ Confurence's official About page]; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref><ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ConFurence Confurence] on Wikipedia; retrieved Septmeber 18, 2024</ref>. Furry conventions are in-person congregations of furries, and furry fans to meet friends, cosplay, host and attend panels, and exchange art and merchandise with vendors. Most furry conventions sponsor a charity, and host community-run events and panels throughout the duration of a convention.


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Many of these conventions temporarily held online iterations of their venues within VRChat, as an alternative way to attend the convention, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan Meeting of Furries was the first<ref>[https://x.com/JMoF_PR/status/1208375616602460161 JMoF実行委員会's post on X] about VR JMoF, dated December 21, 2019; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref> organization to hold a furry convention in VRChat. During the pandemic, a brand new convention dubbed [[Community:Furality Online Xperience|Furality Online Xperience]]<ref>[https://furality.org/about Furality's About page]; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref> (FOX) would be hosted natively in VRChat, without any previous in-person venues. Furality would eventually become a sponsored<ref>[https://bsky.app/profile/vrchat.com/post/3ktuzo5rq232n VRChat's post about Furality] on Bluesky; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref> event by VRChat, Inc.
Many of these conventions temporarily held online iterations of their venues within VRChat, as an alternative way to attend the convention, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan Meeting of Furries was the first<ref>[https://x.com/JMoF_PR/status/1208375616602460161 JMoF実行委員会's post on X] about VR JMoF, dated December 21, 2019; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref> organization to hold a furry convention in VRChat. During the pandemic, a brand new convention dubbed [[Community:Furality Online Xperience|Furality Online Xperience]]<ref>[https://furality.org/about Furality's About page]; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref> (FOX) would be hosted natively in VRChat, without any previous in-person venues. Furality would eventually become a sponsored<ref>[https://bsky.app/profile/vrchat.com/post/3ktuzo5rq232n VRChat's post about Furality] on Bluesky; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref> event by VRChat, Inc.


==== Online ====
===Online===
Furries have communicated online via primitive bulletin board systems (BBS) forums in the 1970s and 1980s; boards such as FurNet which echoed FidoNet protocol, created one of the first dedicated online communities for furries.
Furries have communicated online via primitive bulletin board systems (BBS) forums in the 1970s and 1980s; boards such as FurNet which echoed FidoNet protocol, created one of the first dedicated online communities for furries.


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Second Life is a online virtual world that pre-dates VRChat, and was used (and is still used) by members of the furry fandom. Like VRChat, furries are able to create and share avatars in 3D, but with Second Life's engine, and multiple limitations<ref>[https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Limits#Avatar Avatar Limitations] on Second Life Wiki; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref>.
Second Life is a online virtual world that pre-dates VRChat, and was used (and is still used) by members of the furry fandom. Like VRChat, furries are able to create and share avatars in 3D, but with Second Life's engine, and multiple limitations<ref>[https://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Limits#Avatar Avatar Limitations] on Second Life Wiki; retrieved September 18, 2024</ref>.


==== In VRChat ====
===In VRChat===<!--I'm wondering if I should keep this header, or if it's irrelevant, given the next heading is "Furries and VRChat" ~DAG-XR (09/18/2024)-->
<!--I'm wondering if I should keep this header, or if it's irrelevant, given the next heading is "Furries and VRChat" ~DAG-XR (09/18/2024)-->


Since most furries are not 3D modelers, texture artists or Unity developers, members of the community who have any combination of these skills (commonly referred to as ''artists'' or ''creators'') have taken on the task of building readily available [[Avatar Base|avatar bases]]. These are typically distributed on online stores such as [https://gumroad.com/ Gumroad] where these creators are able to distribute their work directly to users.
Artists and creators of the furry community have been using the [[VRChat SDK]] to create and sell furry avatar base models, as well as customize and upload fursona avatars. These are typically distributed on online stores such as [https://gumroad.com/ Gumroad], and [https://booth.pm/en BOOTH], where these creators are able to distribute their work directly to users.


The bases typically come with source files necessary to customize the avatar, including the models, textures and ready-to-use Unity prefabs or scenes, where all the user has to do is log into the [[VRChat SDK]] and click upload to have a functioning avatar, which can then be further customized. These avatar bases provide an easy way for furries to create a VR representation of their characters more easily, lowering the barrier of entry.
The bases typically come with source files necessary to customize the avatar, including the models, textures, and/or prefabs or scenes; where all the user has to do is open Unity, log into the [[VRChat SDK]], further and click upload to have a functioning avatar. They provide a way for furries to create and express a virtual representation of their characters more easily.


==Furries and VRChat==
==Furries and VRChat==


VRChat allows for a way for furries to create their fursona, and furry avatars using the [[VRChat SDK]]. The platform provides users with several anthropomorphic and kemonomimi avatars, featured in the [[Public Avatars|public avatar row]], as well as community created [[:Category:Furry avatars|furry avatars]].
VRChat allows for a way for furries virtually identify with their fursona, and other furry avatars, using the [[VRChat SDK]]. The platform provides users with several anthropomorphic and kemonomimi avatars, featured in the [[Public Avatars|public avatar row]], as well as community created [[:Category:Furry avatars|furry avatars]].


====Featured "furry" public avatars ====
===Featured "furry" public avatars===
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ style="min-width: max-content" | Public Avatar row
|+ style="min-width: max-content" |Public Avatar row
|-
|-
!Avatar Name!!Author name!!Link
!Avatar Name!!Author name!!Link
|-
|-
|A-Cat||Asio_JPN||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_8bfc8674-1c72-4f38-9c46-3c8a5d3cfc10|A-Cat}}
| A-Cat||Asio_JPN|| {{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_8bfc8674-1c72-4f38-9c46-3c8a5d3cfc10|A-Cat}}
|-
|-
|Alex||WalGesicht||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_22dcb538-be74-4836-aaf3-33ed3ba3913e|Alex}}
| Alex||WalGesicht||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_22dcb538-be74-4836-aaf3-33ed3ba3913e|Alex}}
|-
|-
| Atena||GabSith||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_a2b4025f-3eab-45dd-92a7-4307a9f3db3e|Atena}}
|Atena||GabSith||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_a2b4025f-3eab-45dd-92a7-4307a9f3db3e|Atena}}
|-
|-
|Bestboi Chibi||Bestbois||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_8385a57a-af69-4193-9db1-fc42f5a5ef6e|Bestboi Chibi Public}}
|Bestboi Chibi||Bestbois||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_8385a57a-af69-4193-9db1-fc42f5a5ef6e|Bestboi Chibi Public}}
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|ccoogoo||シーレ／crepix||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_04781c71-6684-4938-a7a6-48353d1bf7fa|ccoogoo}}
|ccoogoo||シーレ／crepix||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_04781c71-6684-4938-a7a6-48353d1bf7fa|ccoogoo}}
|-
|-
|[Protogen]Kuro||Furriest ||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_faf40a9f-ce39-4ff2-a069-223797ba11af|[Protogen]Kuro}}
|[Protogen]Kuro||Furriest||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_faf40a9f-ce39-4ff2-a069-223797ba11af|[Protogen]Kuro}}
|-
|-
|Cube Kitty||SylviaCrisp||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_aa6c3da4-30b4-4b13-a5b5-93dae3eb673c|Cube Kitty}}
|Cube Kitty||SylviaCrisp||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_aa6c3da4-30b4-4b13-a5b5-93dae3eb673c|Cube Kitty}}
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|Cyberwolf||Gambit||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_efe54bff-0836-473b-928c-a19db29f5908|Cyberwolf}}
|Cyberwolf||Gambit||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_efe54bff-0836-473b-928c-a19db29f5908|Cyberwolf}}
|-
|-
| Darcy||Jorror||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_d9eae9f3-6a1f-4be4-b939-53320f2e1454|Darcy}}
|Darcy||Jorror||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_d9eae9f3-6a1f-4be4-b939-53320f2e1454|Darcy}}
|-
|-
|Finny||Olivian||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_8e5d1fe0-44b3-4f7f-abc4-ec4b62288be0|Finny}}
|Finny||Olivian||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_8e5d1fe0-44b3-4f7f-abc4-ec4b62288be0|Finny}}
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|Freakhound||Ghost Cabbit||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_8fa2bf67-380a-40c1-a3d6-c782afce65bc|Freakhound}}
|Freakhound||Ghost Cabbit||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_8fa2bf67-380a-40c1-a3d6-c782afce65bc|Freakhound}}
|-
|-
|Little Griffin|| Estefanoida||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_d28ff481-5d01-45ce-ae14-54c61ce6892e|Little Griffin}}
|Little Griffin||Estefanoida||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_d28ff481-5d01-45ce-ae14-54c61ce6892e|Little Griffin}}
|-
|-
|Lunar Lizzy||it's moe||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_7d899f19-e1ed-4011-bbac-339e7ea1c233|Lunar Lizzy}}
|Lunar Lizzy||it's moe||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_7d899f19-e1ed-4011-bbac-339e7ea1c233|Lunar Lizzy}}
|-
|-
|Meownyrn Catbot Public||FrostKittyPaw||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_a77c1302-0813-4d5b-a07e-aa75b52ab5dd|Meownyrn Catbot Public}}  
|Meownyrn Catbot Public|| FrostKittyPaw ||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_a77c1302-0813-4d5b-a07e-aa75b52ab5dd|Meownyrn Catbot Public}}
|-
|-
|Mururu ||kuroneko_tsuki||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_cc110e10-142d-4cce-80a6-992c4cdefa0b|Mururu}}
| Mururu||kuroneko_tsuki||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_cc110e10-142d-4cce-80a6-992c4cdefa0b|Mururu}}
|-
|-
|Pupbot||Widget365||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_7d735b2d-31d1-41aa-9d35-f9683bb0a8ce|Pupbot}}
|Pupbot||Widget365||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_7d735b2d-31d1-41aa-9d35-f9683bb0a8ce|Pupbot}}
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|Rex the Raptor||Zab||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_e4f4c5fe-cb84-4b61-8ee7-c35f89a73495|Rex the Raptor}}
|Rex the Raptor||Zab||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_e4f4c5fe-cb84-4b61-8ee7-c35f89a73495|Rex the Raptor}}
|-
|-
|Robocoon|| ぶろ⁄blo||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_4fc72a98-9f44-4354-bc9a-e2abf53d6661|Robocoon}}
|Robocoon||ぶろ⁄blo||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_4fc72a98-9f44-4354-bc9a-e2abf53d6661|Robocoon}}
|-
|-
|Robodog||Bob_irl||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_be1abe85-137e-4053-897d-e9de4f4936e6|Robodog}}
|Robodog||Bob_irl||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_be1abe85-137e-4053-897d-e9de4f4936e6|Robodog}}
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|Teenage Boomer The Dino|| Dangleberry||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_7af25ae5-fcbe-41d8-b1ae-315812a0d40a|Teenage Boomer The Dino}}
|Teenage Boomer The Dino|| Dangleberry||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_7af25ae5-fcbe-41d8-b1ae-315812a0d40a|Teenage Boomer The Dino}}
|-
|-
|The Awtter VRChat||Shade the Bat||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_d474fbff-1cfa-47c0-be52-cdf688a936d4|The Awtter}}
|The Awtter VRChat|| Shade the Bat||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_d474fbff-1cfa-47c0-be52-cdf688a936d4|The Awtter}}
|-
|-
|The Professional||Bāph||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_047c01c7-e958-4e59-8099-86316479fd9a|The Professional}}
| The Professional ||Bāph ||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_047c01c7-e958-4e59-8099-86316479fd9a|The Professional}}
|-
|-
|Tigerbee||Tokyozilla||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_1579c4b6-d647-4ded-a5c2-b78b9c6ea686|Tigerbee}}
|Tigerbee||Tokyozilla||{{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_1579c4b6-d647-4ded-a5c2-b78b9c6ea686|Tigerbee}}
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<nowiki>* This avatar was once on the Public avatars row, but was removed by the author.</nowiki>
<nowiki>* This avatar was once on the Public avatars row, but was removed by the author.</nowiki>


==VRChat's animal mascots==
===VRChat's animal mascots===
VRChat has a [[VRCat|cat]] mascot, and later, created a [[Rat]] mascot, named VRRat. While these mascots are more animal-like, they are shown to speak. VRCat also has an animatronic form that is bipedal.
[[File:VRCat facing-right.webp|thumb|VRChat's feline mascot, ''VRCat.'']]
VRChat has a [[VRCat|cat]] mascot, named VRCat. Later, created a [[rat]] mascot, named VRRat. While these mascots are more animal-like, they are shown to speak. VRCat also has an {{VRC link|https://vrchat.com/home/avatar/avtr_a7d31a84-1cd4-48ca-b7fa-9ca9e9c9a455|animatronic form}} that is bipedal.
 
===Furry conventions and events===
There are several furry-themed [[groups]] and [[worlds]] in VRChat. Some groups may host events, and instances for users to congregate. With in-person furry conventions coming to a halt in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, VRChat's furry userbase increased. Virtual conventions were held on VRChat, to continue the tradition while venues were closed. Furality Online Xperience became wildly popular, and became sponsored by VRChat, considering it to be one of the largest annual furry events in the community.
 
{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
|+ style="min-width: max-content" |List of furry conventions in VRChat
!Name
!Dates
|-
|Virtual Anthrocon/AnthrocOnline
|July 3-5, 2020; July 2-4, 2021
|-
|AnthroExpo
|April 10-11, 2021
|-
|Anthro Northwest
|Multiple; first iteration December 26, 2020
|-
|Blue Ridge Furfare
|Multiple; first iteration March 12-14, 2021
|-
|Confuror
|Multiple; first iteration Oct. 9-11, 2020
|-
|CozyCon
|Multiple; first iteration Sept. 2020
|-
|Furcation
|November 6-8, 2020
|-
|Furpocalypse
|Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2020
|-
|Further Confusion
|January 15-18, 2021
|-
|Fur Squared
|February 26-28, 2021
|-
|Furnal Equinox
|Multiple; first iteration March 19-21, 2021
|-
|[[Community:Furality Online Xperience|Furality Online Xperience]]
|Multiple; first iteration May 22-24, 2020<ref>[https://furality.org/ Furality.org] official convention website. Retrieved April 2, 2020.</ref>
|-
|Furrydelphia Virtualcon
|August 14-16, 2020
|-
|Furry Migration Online
|Dec. 31, 2020-Jan. 1, 2021
|-
|Furry Weekend At-Home
|May 7-8, 2021
|-
|FVRUM
|December 18, 2021 <ref>[https://twitter.com/FURUM_MY/status/1455520073221763072 FURs Upon Malaysia (FURUM) Twitter], posted November 2, 2021.</ref>
|-
|Hex Furryfest
|Multiple; first iteration July 17-19, 2020
|-
|IndyFurCon Live!
|August 28-30, 2020
|-
|Infurnity Online
|Multiple; first iteration October 29-31, 2020
|-
|Japan Meeting of Furries<ref>https://twitter.com/JMoF_en/status/1214178543661285378</ref>
|Multiple; first iteration Oct. 2019
|-
|Little Island Furcon
|Multiple; first iteration November 13, 2021
|-
|Megaplex Online
|August 21-23, 2020
|-
|OwOmaCon
|October 24-25, 2020
|-
|Texas Furry Fiesta
|March 26-28, 2021
|-
|The Energetic Convention (T.E.C.)
|Multiple; first iteration Oct. 25-31, 2020
|-
|Vancoufur - EvfurQuest Online
|Multiple; first iteration March 6-8, 2021
|-
|[[Community:VirtualFurence|VirtualFurence]]
|August 21-23, 2020<ref>[https://twitter.com/virtualfurence/status/1282388183972556801 Twitter announcement]</ref>
|}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Community:Culture]]
*[[Community:LGBT culture in VRChat]]
*[[Avatars]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 16:45, 19 September 2024

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Furry culture is prevalent in the VRChat community. Furry avatars, or furries, are defined as animals or animal-like creatures with anthropomorphic (human-like) or humanoid traits such as speech, intelligence, and/or bipedal body structure. In addition to avatars, the term 'furry' is also used to refer to people who may identify with said avatars, in some way.

Overview

The furry fandom is inspired by several types of media from around the world involving anthropomorphic animals, such as written works, video games, and animation mediums such as Japanese animation (anime). People often find themselves joining the furry community through shared interest in certain media.

A unique characteristic within furry subculture, is the creation and identification of original characters and avatars that may represent their creator, or likeness. These characters are typically referred to as a fursona (a portmanteau of furry and persona, often shortened to simply 'sona). However, not all furry characters are used as a personal fursona[1]; some may simply be characters designed for original fictional works of their own right. They can each have potentially different personality traits or interests, depending on their purpose.

Furries are more likely to identify with LGBT, non-binary or genderqueer identities[2], or express their fursona with similar orientations[3][4]. A fraction of the community, who refer to themselves as therians[5] or otherkin among furries, may spiritually identify closer as non-human, choosing to instead identify as their desired species.

History

In human history

Anthropomorphism has been recorded in human expression for thousands of years. One of the earliest examples for this, is the pre-historic Lion-man[6] figurine, created about 40,000 years ago. Cave paintings throughout time, display interaction between animals and humans. Mythological Egyptian and Greek gods, goddesses and creatures, such as Anubis, Ra, Proteus, or the Minotaur are fables involving human-like bipedal creatures from ancient times, passed down for generations.

Early furry fandom

Modern art and literature containing anthropomorphic animals have been expressed by humans over the past few centuries, however, the biggest influences for the early furry fandom are 20th century science fiction, and animation. Notable examples of this are Kimba The White Lion, Albedo's Anthropomorphics, and Disney movies such as Robin Hood (1977), and Pete's Dragon.

The late Mark Merlino (a.k.a. "Sylys Sable"), attending Furality 2000 in VRChat.

People in the early furry fandom had an overlapping interest with science fiction, and Japanese animation. Niche parties were held at science fiction conventions in the late 1970s, which eventually led to the creation of the "Cartoon/Fantasy Organization" in 1977 by the late Mark Merlino[7] and Fred Patten[8].

Conventions

By 1988, the first organized furry convention was held in California, USA as "Confurence" Zero[9][10]. Furry conventions are in-person congregations of furries, and furry fans to meet friends, cosplay, host and attend panels, and exchange art and merchandise with vendors. Most furry conventions sponsor a charity, and host community-run events and panels throughout the duration of a convention.

Throughout the 1990s, and continuing beyond today, more furry conventions began to organize. Many conventions are held yearly, with notable mentions being venues such as Anthrocon[11], Midwest FurFest[12], Megaplex[13], and Further Confusion[14] in the United States; Eurofurence[15], and NordicFuzzCon[16] in Europe; Japan Meeting of Furries (JMOF)[17], Kemoket[18], and Infurnity[19] in Asia.

Many of these conventions temporarily held online iterations of their venues within VRChat, as an alternative way to attend the convention, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan Meeting of Furries was the first[20] organization to hold a furry convention in VRChat. During the pandemic, a brand new convention dubbed Furality Online Xperience[21] (FOX) would be hosted natively in VRChat, without any previous in-person venues. Furality would eventually become a sponsored[22] event by VRChat, Inc.

Online

Furries have communicated online via primitive bulletin board systems (BBS) forums in the 1970s and 1980s; boards such as FurNet which echoed FidoNet protocol, created one of the first dedicated online communities for furries.

In the 1990s, online servers, such as text-based FurryMUCK[23] began in 1990 as a roleplay community for furries. Video games such as Furcadia[24][25], a graphical MUD, was launched in 1996. There were also newsgroups and Usenet message boards that began in this decade, like alt.fan.furry and alt.lifestyle.furry.

Second Life is a online virtual world that pre-dates VRChat, and was used (and is still used) by members of the furry fandom. Like VRChat, furries are able to create and share avatars in 3D, but with Second Life's engine, and multiple limitations[26].

In VRChat

Artists and creators of the furry community have been using the VRChat SDK to create and sell furry avatar base models, as well as customize and upload fursona avatars. These are typically distributed on online stores such as Gumroad, and BOOTH, where these creators are able to distribute their work directly to users.

The bases typically come with source files necessary to customize the avatar, including the models, textures, and/or prefabs or scenes; where all the user has to do is open Unity, log into the VRChat SDK, further and click upload to have a functioning avatar. They provide a way for furries to create and express a virtual representation of their characters more easily.

Furries and VRChat

VRChat allows for a way for furries virtually identify with their fursona, and other furry avatars, using the VRChat SDK. The platform provides users with several anthropomorphic and kemonomimi avatars, featured in the public avatar row, as well as community created furry avatars.

Featured "furry" public avatars

Public Avatar row
Avatar Name Author name Link
A-Cat Asio_JPN Official VRChat source A-Cat
Alex WalGesicht Official VRChat source Alex
Atena GabSith Official VRChat source Atena
Bestboi Chibi Bestbois Official VRChat source Bestboi Chibi Public
ccoogoo シーレ／crepix Official VRChat source ccoogoo
[Protogen]Kuro Furriest Official VRChat source [ProtogenKuro]
Cube Kitty SylviaCrisp Official VRChat source Cube Kitty
Cyberwolf Gambit Official VRChat source Cyberwolf
Darcy Jorror Official VRChat source Darcy
Finny Olivian Official VRChat source Finny
Freakhound Ghost Cabbit Official VRChat source Freakhound
Little Griffin Estefanoida Official VRChat source Little Griffin
Lunar Lizzy it's moe Official VRChat source Lunar Lizzy
Meownyrn Catbot Public FrostKittyPaw Official VRChat source Meownyrn Catbot Public
Mururu kuroneko_tsuki Official VRChat source Mururu
Pupbot Widget365 Official VRChat source Pupbot
Rex the Raptor Zab Official VRChat source Rex the Raptor
Robocoon ぶろ⁄blo Official VRChat source Robocoon
Robodog Bob_irl Official VRChat source Robodog
sania3․0 alt_tamaki Official VRChat source sania3․0
Simple Fox* cellomonster GitHub link
Space Kitty MonAmiral Official VRChat source Space Kitty
Teenage Boomer The Dino Dangleberry Official VRChat source Teenage Boomer The Dino
The Awtter VRChat Shade the Bat Official VRChat source The Awtter
The Professional Bāph Official VRChat source The Professional
Tigerbee Tokyozilla Official VRChat source Tigerbee
Xperiment speedbuiz Official VRChat source Xperiment
VRCat Animatronic Slorg Official VRChat source VRCat Animatronic

* This avatar was once on the Public avatars row, but was removed by the author.

VRChat's animal mascots

VRChat's feline mascot, VRCat.

VRChat has a cat mascot, named VRCat. Later, created a rat mascot, named VRRat. While these mascots are more animal-like, they are shown to speak. VRCat also has an Official VRChat source animatronic form that is bipedal.

Furry conventions and events

There are several furry-themed groups and worlds in VRChat. Some groups may host events, and instances for users to congregate. With in-person furry conventions coming to a halt in 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, VRChat's furry userbase increased. Virtual conventions were held on VRChat, to continue the tradition while venues were closed. Furality Online Xperience became wildly popular, and became sponsored by VRChat, considering it to be one of the largest annual furry events in the community.

List of furry conventions in VRChat
Name Dates
Virtual Anthrocon/AnthrocOnline July 3-5, 2020; July 2-4, 2021
AnthroExpo April 10-11, 2021
Anthro Northwest Multiple; first iteration December 26, 2020
Blue Ridge Furfare Multiple; first iteration March 12-14, 2021
Confuror Multiple; first iteration Oct. 9-11, 2020
CozyCon Multiple; first iteration Sept. 2020
Furcation November 6-8, 2020
Furpocalypse Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2020
Further Confusion January 15-18, 2021
Fur Squared February 26-28, 2021
Furnal Equinox Multiple; first iteration March 19-21, 2021
Furality Online Xperience Multiple; first iteration May 22-24, 2020[27]
Furrydelphia Virtualcon August 14-16, 2020
Furry Migration Online Dec. 31, 2020-Jan. 1, 2021
Furry Weekend At-Home May 7-8, 2021
FVRUM December 18, 2021 [28]
Hex Furryfest Multiple; first iteration July 17-19, 2020
IndyFurCon Live! August 28-30, 2020
Infurnity Online Multiple; first iteration October 29-31, 2020
Japan Meeting of Furries[29] Multiple; first iteration Oct. 2019
Little Island Furcon Multiple; first iteration November 13, 2021
Megaplex Online August 21-23, 2020
OwOmaCon October 24-25, 2020
Texas Furry Fiesta March 26-28, 2021
The Energetic Convention (T.E.C.) Multiple; first iteration Oct. 25-31, 2020
Vancoufur - EvfurQuest Online Multiple; first iteration March 6-8, 2021
VirtualFurence August 21-23, 2020[30]

See also

References

  1. ↑ '3.4 Fursona Origin' on Furscience, published by the International Anthropomorphic Research Project (IARP); retrieved September 12, 2024
  2. ↑ '1.3 Sex, Gender, and Gender Identity' on Furscience, published by the International Anthropomorphic Research Project (IARP); retrieved September 12, 2024
  3. ↑ '3.6 Fursona Gender' on Furscience, published by the International Anthropomorphic Research Project (IARP); retrieved September 12, 2024
  4. ↑ '3.7 Fursona Orientation' on Furscience, published by the International Anthropomorphic Research Project (IARP); retrieved September 12, 2024
  5. ↑ '7.1 Prevalence of Therians' on Furscience, published by the International Anthropomorphic Research Project (IARP); retrieved September 12, 2024
  6. ↑ http://www.loewenmensch.de/lion_man.html
  7. ↑ Furality 2000 - History of the Furry Fandom, featuring Mark Merlino, on YouTube; retrieved September 18, 2024
  8. ↑ Fred Patten on Wikipedia; retrieved September 18, 2024
  9. ↑ Confurence's official About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  10. ↑ Confurence on Wikipedia; retrieved Septmeber 18, 2024
  11. ↑ Anthrocon's About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  12. ↑ Midwest Furry Fandom's About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  13. ↑ Megaplex's About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  14. ↑ Further Confusion's About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  15. ↑ Eurofurence's website; retrieved September 18, 2024
  16. ↑ NordicFuzzCon's About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  17. ↑ Japan Meeting of Furries' About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  18. ↑ (In Japanese) Kemoket's Q&A page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  19. ↑ Infurnity's About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  20. ↑ JMoF実行委員会's post on X about VR JMoF, dated December 21, 2019; retrieved September 18, 2024
  21. ↑ Furality's About page; retrieved September 18, 2024
  22. ↑ VRChat's post about Furality on Bluesky; retrieved September 18, 2024
  23. ↑ FurryMUCK official website
  24. ↑ Furcadia on Wikipedia; retrieved September 18, 2024
  25. ↑ Welcome to Furcadia! on Furcadia's official website; retrieved September 18, 2024
  26. ↑ Avatar Limitations on Second Life Wiki; retrieved September 18, 2024
  27. ↑ Furality.org official convention website. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  28. ↑ FURs Upon Malaysia (FURUM) Twitter, posted November 2, 2021.
  29. ↑ https://twitter.com/JMoF_en/status/1214178543661285378
  30. ↑ Twitter announcement
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