P_Griddy
VRChat exists because creators build it.
Worlds, avatars, systems, and tools only exist because people invest time, skill, and money into making them.
Right now that foundation is being damaged by widespread asset ripping.
This is not community drama.
This is a platform enforcement and tooling problem.
Asset ripping harms creators, weakens the Creator Economy, and reduces trust in VRChat as a platform. Reporting systems alone are not enough. What is needed is technical deterrence that makes ripping harder, traceable, and risky.
Practical solutions VRChat can implement:
Mesh and Asset Watermarking
VRChat can mark uploaded meshes, textures, and animations in ways that are not visible in-game but remain after re-uploading or minor edits. This allows VRChat to identify re-uploaded ripped assets and track repeat offenders without affecting normal creators.
Degradation of Unauthorized Exports
Assets taken through unofficial extraction methods could become unreliable to reuse. This could include mesh issues, broken shading, animation problems, or other errors that do not affect legitimate uploads but make ripped assets undesirable.
Creator-Controlled Protection Options
Creators should be able to choose protection levels for their work. Paid or Creator Economy assets can use stronger protection, while free or open assets remain unaffected. Protection should be optional and creator-driven.
Re-Upload Detection Beyond File Names
Detection should not rely on simple file checks. VRChat can compare geometry, textures, and animations to identify stolen assets even if they are renamed, converted, or slightly modified.
Automatic Enforcement for Repeat Offenders
Once assets are flagged, enforcement should escalate. This can include upload restrictions, content locks, and permanent bans for repeat or large-scale ripping. Ripping should be higher effort and higher risk than creating.
Clear Feedback for Creator Reports
Creators need to know their reports matter. Report status tracking and confirmation when action is taken would increase trust and reduce frustration.
Public Commitment to Creator Protection
A clear public stance matters. VRChat should publish its approach to anti-ripping efforts and show that creators are actively protected.
VRChat does not need perfect prevention.
It needs consistent enforcement and real deterrence.
Creators are the platform.
Protect them.
END VRCHAT RIPPING.