Becoming a Vtuber (#1)
Tags: vtuber, unrealengine, xsens, codemiko
Published: 2021-01-02 09:26:16

---
title: Becoming a Vtuber (#1)
published: true
description: Journey to becoming a Vtuber
tags: Vtuber, UnrealEngine, xsens, CodeMiko
cover_image: https://i.imgur.com/f39uVDH.jpg
---

Hi there 🙋🏻‍♀️. I was recently introduced to the world of Virtual Streamers/Youtubers/Influencers by my partner. He sent me the video below, where I learned all about [CodeMiko](https://www.twitch.tv/codemiko) 😍. 

{% youtube CsQjxEd-gsw %}

I thought Vtubing was WAY cool; being free to create *whatever world you wanted*. But it wasn't until I watched [Ready Player One](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSp1dM2Vj48) that I realized how much I wanted to create my own fully-interactive avatar.

![Woops, link's broken!] (https://i.imgur.com/6AyF7dB.jpg, "My favorite scene from the movie.")

>*"In 2045 the planet is on the brink of chaos and collapse, but people find salvation in the OASIS: an expansive virtual reality universe created by eccentric James Halliday. When Halliday dies, he promises his immense fortune to the first person to discover a digital Easter egg that's hidden somewhere in the OASIS. When young Wade Watts joins the contest, he finds himself becoming an unlikely hero in a reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical world of mystery, discovery and danger."* ([via](https://www.columbia-pike.org/event/ready-player-one/))

I absolutely love how this movie shares a positive sentiment about virtual reality and gaming, and also touches on the significance of human connection IRL 💞. Oh, and let's not forget how it clearly portrays the valid fear conscious people have against unconscious corporations 👏🏻. 

Anyways, I was so excited to look into the virtual streaming space after finishing the movie that I even tweeted about it 😜. And guess what? Codemiko actually responded back with some words of encouragement 🤯!

![Woops, link's broken!] (https://i.imgur.com/7HlKCyK.png, "TOTALLY FANGIRLING 👯‍♀️")([Original Tweet] (https://twitter.com/seemcat/status/1345204915191201795?s=20))

So here I am, doing my research as to **how**, **what** and **why** I’m going to do this. I find that turning my thoughts into a blog helps me learn the material better. So I'll be documenting my journey to becoming a Vtuber here. Who knows? Maybe these blogs could help others who are on a similar path!

Alright. Here we go 🥵🌱.

---

The first step I take before starting any fun project is to ask hellof' questions and do my research 💁🏻‍♀️ (actually, this is something I'll be doing for the *entire* journey 😅). 

Here are the Q & A's I've collected today (def not in any particular order; more like a 🧠 dump):

**1. Why do I want to be a Vtuber?**
Because it looks like a whole lotta' fun 🥳.

**2. What is a Virtual Streamer/Youtuber/Influencer?**
Blackwings from Reddit gives a great, simple answer: 
>*“They’re voice actors behind an animated avatar.”* ([via] (https://www.reddit.com/r/VirtualYoutubers/comments/f3edtn/what_are_vtubers_exactly/))

**3. How does the Vtuber landscape look like?**
![Woops, link's broken!] (https://i.imgur.com/ea54vBJ.png") ([via] (https://medium.com/@hyprsense/how-to-become-a-virtual-youtuber-influencer-7074b852fb9)) 

**4. What skills do I need to become a Vtuber?**
- Skills mentioned by [Live3D] (https://medium.com/@Live3DOfficial/what-does-it-take-to-be-a-vtuber-e0e41f602c7c) worth noting:
  - Figure out who your character's going to be (**e.g.** What's their soul like? What are their characteristics? What will be their iconic intro?)
  - Create a model/avatar for your character. Again, it's like humans beings...we have a soul, and then the body is our soul's home/temple 💁🏻‍♀️🤯. The avatar will be my character's home.
  - Choose the (initial) main direction(s) of your avatar. (For my avatar, I'm envisioning live-streams of either lightning talks, coding tutorials & interviews 🤩✨.)
- Skills inspired by [Concept Art Empire] (https://conceptartempire.com/):
  - Fundamentals Of Art
  - Fundamentals of 3D Modeling
  - Fundamentals of 3D Rigging

**5. How can I make an avatar?**
Here's a link that might help: [Setting Up a Character by Unreal Engine](https://docs.unrealengine.com/en-US/AnimatingObjects/SkeletalMeshAnimation/CharacterSetupOverview/index.html)

**6. How can I make a scene for my avatar?**
Again, found a link that might help: [Build a Detective's Office Game Environment by Unreal Engine](https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/onlinelearning-courses/build-a-detectives-office-game-environment)

**7. How can I do livestreams with my avatar, inside of my scene?**
I'll need to look into one of these [Twitch Integrations](https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/assets?keywords=Twitch%20integration) for Unreal Engine.

**8. How do I create a fully-interactive avatar?**
A fully-interactive avatar like CodeMiko is just a voice-over avatar that's being livestreamed via a platform that allows for fun interactions (**e.g.** the audience could send a specific msg to make her do something quirky). So, to make a fully-interactive avatar, I'll need to design the streaming session to be interactive 🤔.

**9. What setup will I need?**
Shout out to [Xsens](https://www.xsens.com/blog/virtual-youtuber) for the simple guide to this answer.

- Facial recognition
 - I've chosen: an **iPhoneX** attached to a head mount w/ **Luxand** app installed.
- Gesture recognition
 - I've chosen: **Xsense** for full-body gesture recognition & **Manus** for finger/hand tracking.
- Animation software
 - I've chosen: **Unreal Engine** to create my 3D avatar and to serve as my animation software.

---

Wow 💸🤑, this sure as hell won't be cheap NOR easy, LOL 😅. I'll likely save up the money for my equipment while I learn, and then slowly build up my knowledge and tools. A fun goal is to stick to my tweet for CodeMiko & send her a coffee chat invite once my avatar and scene is ready 😄☕️.

Alright, send some positive vibes for me. Until next time! 🦄✨