-WildCat-
Introduction
As a PC user, have you ever come across a Quest user with an avatar that plays annoying, loud noises? Would you tell them that their avatar makes annoying noises or would you just hide or block them?
As a Quest user, have you ever been told by a PC user that your avatar makes sounds that you didn't know about?
The Problem
The Quest version of VRChat doesn't allow audio sources on avatars. However, avatars can be cross-platform and this means that Quest users can trigger avatar audio for PC users without hearing it themselves. It is possible that a Quest user may find a public avatar that they like the appearance of, but never know that it makes obnoxious sound effects unless a PC user tells them.
I believe that users should be in full control of their virtual identity. But Quest users have no way to know if their avatar behaves differently in the presence of PC users.
Alternative Solutions
Before I get to my proposal, I'd like to get two alternative solutions out of the way:
1) Make an exception on the Quest client that allows Quest users to hear audio sources on their own avatar only.
  • Whilst this solution would help Quest users avoid using avatars that make annoying noises, it would be confusing for a group of Quest users who wouldn't understand why their friends can't hear the cool effects that they can hear from their own avatar.
2) Change the policy and allow audio sources on Quest.
  • This would probably be the ideal solution but I'm going to assume that this restriction exists for a good reason and I'll move onto my proposal.
My Proposal
On the PC VRChat client, disable audio sources on cross-platform avatars being worn by Quest users.
This policy would be separate from the Safety system so it wouldn't matter what trust rank the Quest user has or what safety setting the PC user has chosen.
One Possible Objection
"Why don't you just use the Safety settings to disable avatar audio if you don't want to hear it?"
Well, for one, I like to get the full, unfiltered experience and so I prefer to use the 'None' Safety setting. But I want that experience to be the result of intentional actions from other users. If I'm going to moderate another user for playing annoying avatar audio, I'd like to have the confidence of knowing that they intended to play it.
But, this feature request isn't really for the benefit of me or other PC users. It's mainly for the benefit of Quest users. I don't think it's fair for them to risk getting blocked because their avatar made an annoying noise when they didn't even know about it.