Remco Poeliejoe

  Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences | Bachelor Digital Society

"Artificial yet Adored: Exploring the Popularity of Virtual YouTubers amidst the Demand for Realness"

Remco's elevator pitch
"While traditional live-streaming is mainly appealing because of the authenticity of its content, a new type of live-streamers called Virtual YouTubers (VTubers), use virtual avatars and artificial personalities that challenge this norm. By observing VTuber live-streams, conducting a comprehensive survey and exploring the concept of authenticity online, I aim to unveil in my thesis that this realness isn't the sole driver for the immense popularity of VTubers. It is rather the compelling fusion of their virtual personas and expressive outer appearances that facilitate the immersive experiences they offer which forms a unique and engaging interaction with viewers."