Private Chat in a Public Space of Metaverse Systems

With the proliferation of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies and the emergence of the Metaverse, social VR applications have become increasingly prevalent and accessible to the general user base. Serving as a novel form of social media, these platforms give users a unique opportunity to engage in social activities. However, there remains a significant limitation: the inability to engage in private conversations within public social VR environments. Current interactions are predominantly public, making it challenging for users to have confidential side discussions or whispers without disrupting ongoing conversations. To address this gap, we developed Hushhub, a private chat system integrated into the popular social VR platform VRChat. Our system enables users within a shared VR space to initiate private audio conversations selectively, allowing them to maintain awareness and engagement with the broader group discussions. To evaluate the system, we conducted user studies to gather insight and feedback on the efficacy and user experience of the implemented system. The results demonstrate the value and necessity of enabling private conversations within immersive social VR environments, paving the way for richer, more nuanced social interactions.