Virtual reality (VR) is stretching the limits to what we can do using technology every day. In a first again, a budding community of dancers, strapped with motion trackers, that hosts dance battles in virtual reality is emerging on VRChat.

Undoubtedly, it looks a bit unusual and dancing with all the VR gear on is nothing like normal but breakdancing with a bunch of people in virtual reality does sound very futuristic.

VRChat, a social VR application, has been acting as the host to these dance battles by connecting contestants from around the globe in real-time. Through an amalgamation of full-body motion tracking and an ‘anything goes’ approach to avatars, the app has been able to give rise to this novel medium of digital self-expression.

A new social dynamic has come into existence as these communities are connecting people who would almost certainly not have met otherwise. Even organizers that manage these virtual get-togethers, mentorship, and competitions have started coming to the surface.

This platform has received international recognition too with the International Dance Association (IDA) hosting an array of tournament-style dance battles with judges and prizes.

A major barrier to entry into these communities is the need for motion-capture accessories which require a considerable amount of investment. However, this gap is getting bridged by the increasing number of affordable VR gadgets in the market which will ultimately enhance access to these online platforms.

This is just another example of VR’s ability to connect people in truly unique ways. These dance communities are just a small start and we can expect emergence of such communities across industries as the technology gets cheaper.

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