AltspaceVR is a platform at the intersection of social media, entertainment, and gaming. When users enter the platform, they typically do so to join events like concerts, classes, meetups, or even talk shows and awards ceremonies.

Creating a room and sending the link to a few friends is pretty simple, but you can also create your own publicly listed events that anyone can attend. These events have a few more boxes to check, but once you've done it the first time, it's a cakewalk. We're going to explain how to host an event in AltspaceVR.

What Is AltspaceVR?

AltspaceVR is a free application that can be downloaded through the app store of most VR headsets, as well as on Steam or in a 2D desktop mode from the Microsoft Store. There is also a pilot version available through a Mac client for Apple devices. No matter what hardware you use, you can find the link that you need from the AltspaceVR website.

RELATED: How to Use AltspaceVR: Virtual Reality Without a Headset

Once you have the app downloaded on whatever device you use, you can customize an avatar and start jumping into events all from the main page of the app. There's a quick tutorial that you can access at any time through the settings menu, and there are regular events for brushing up on the controls or for learning advanced skills like flying.

How to Select a Venue for Your AltspaceVR Event

The homepage of your AltspaceVR account will display featured public events. This is also where you enter codes to get into events hosted by other users.

To see more events and to create your own event, select Main Menu from the panel on the side of the screen, and Events from the toolbar across the bottom. Then, select My Events from the center menu, and the blue Create Event button directly underneath.

Menus for creating an event in AltspaceVR.

This brings you to all of the options for event categories on AltspaceVR. Which event category you choose will impact which spaces are available for your event. The different event categories are:

  • Presentation
  • Talk Show
  • Performance
  • Watch
  • Meetup
  • Game

Of course, you can always use the back arrow in the upper-left of the central panel to navigate back to the events panel and pick a new event category. If you're feeling curious, you can browse all of the AltspaceVR event spaces. There are over a dozen unique spaces to choose from.

The currently selected venue gets a big preview on the right side of the screen with thumbnails beneath previewing other options. If you don't see one that speaks to you, tap the right arrow above the thumbnails until you reach the end of the list. The last item is always a More icon that brings you to additional venue options.

How to Schedule and List Events in AltspaceVR

When you have a venue selected, you can set the details for your event. Until you set your own info, the name and description text fields are populated with filler content that does more to explain the venue to you than it does to explain the event to your guests. Just click within these text fields to enter your own info.

Below these text fields are two toggle switches. Schedule Event lets you create an event now that will take place in the future. When you select this option, additional settings appear, allowing you to set when the event will begin and how long it will last.

Scheduling a public event in AltspaceVR.

The Unlisted Events toggle can be switched off to allow the event to be publicly posted on the AltspaceVR events page so that other users can find it. If you don't flip this switch on, you can still host private events by inviting friends from within the world or sharing a link to your room. If you have other event organizers helping you, you can share the room link with them before it begins so that they can help you get ready.

If you have the Schedule Event toggle switched off, a blue Enter Now icon appears in the bottom right. You can use this to enter the event. If th toggle is switched on, a blue Schedule Event button appears.

An additional gear icon labeled Advanced Options allows you to write an optional welcome message that your guests will see when they enter your event.

How to Access Host Tools and Share Events in AltspaceVR

When you're hosting an event, you get a special selection of host tools, available in a collapsible menu to the right of the standard AltspaceVR in-game menu. You can still do all of the things that you did before, like take photos and selfies, but you can also mute the audience, amplify your voice, and take other crowd management and engagement measures.

The host Tools menu in AltspaceVR

Of course, you get even more host tools if you host a hybrid event. Throwing a party around VR as well as in VR can bring additional benefits.

RELATED: How to Throw the Perfect VR Party

Within an event that you are hosting, press the Esc key on your keyboard to access the complete menu. Select My Events from this menu, and hover your cursor over the active event to view options. The trashcan icon is how you delete an event. Select Info > More > Share and it will display the code or link that other users can use to enter your event.

Easily Hang Out With Friends in AltspaceVR

Hosting an event in AltspaceVR can be daunting at first. However, the process has a lot of affordances and gets around a lot of the obstacles that come with hosting events in the real world. You don't have to hire a venue or worry about the weather. In the world of AltspaceVR, it's always a perfect time to host an event.

Whether you're familiar with AltspaceVR or not, hosting your own public or private event is definitely something to think about. Besides, no-one has to travel, and they can join from the comfort of their room.