Thanks for your interest in helping out with Echo VR Community Day! We regularly host this special event to welcome and encourage new players.

Although many of us are now quite used to the social aspect of VR, for many people, Community Day might be their first experience in a multiplayer VR game. This can be overwhelming for some!

It’s important that we show hospitality without scaring people away so here are some general suggestions to help make the day a success for everyone involved.

Hang out in the lobby and watch for new players to enter. Say hello as you’re approaching the person. Many people don’t realize that others in the game are actually real people. You’ll develop your own style, but a friendly sort of greeting such as, “Welcome to Echo VR! I’m here to help you” usually works well. Keep your distance with new players. Remember that VR feels real so don’t get right in their face. It’s offensive to many people. I usually hold on to something nearby and talk with them. I’ve seen players leave because people have gotten in their personal space and it scares them. I would recommend that everyone go through the tutorial. If someone is having an especially difficult time, of course make them feel welcome and show them around, but I always end those conversations with a recommendation that they still go back and do the tutorial. If you enjoy doing so, please record your experiences and share them with us later. These videos are fun to watch and most people love coming back later to see what they looked like as a “new robot.” I hate to even say this one, but if you see anyone trolling new players, please report them. Yes, this does happen. If you see someone violating the Code of Conduct, the developers can only know if you share this with them. It’s best if you have video of the incident, but the most important thing is that it must be reported. Here is that contact information:

REPORT IT TO THE DEVS via email – report@echo.games

REPORT IT TO OCULUS – https://support.oculus.com/report-user/

Here are some specific skills you can teach or areas you can introduce to new players in the lobby:

Flying : Even if they’ve done the tutorial, new players sometimes need a reminder on how to use the thrusters (Y and B buttons) and the jetpack (left joystick).

: Even if they’ve done the tutorial, new players sometimes need a reminder on how to use the thrusters (Y and B buttons) and the jetpack (left joystick). Boosting : This is one of the most fun things to teach people. Just have them grab you and pull through and try to regrab. Once they feel the extra speed for the first time, they’ll be hooked on boosting!

: This is one of the most fun things to teach people. Just have them grab you and pull through and try to regrab. Once they feel the extra speed for the first time, they’ll be hooked on boosting! Punching and Blocking: (Make sure they have on the regular arena clothes, not a combat uniform.)

(Make sure they have on the regular arena clothes, not a combat uniform.) Customization Room : People love learning that they have all different options for their robots. If someone says they’re feeling a little nauseous, this is an especially good place to hang out for a while.

: People love learning that they have all different options for their robots. If someone says they’re feeling a little nauseous, this is an especially good place to hang out for a while. Arena Training Room : I usually have new players hang onto me, then I fly them into this room. I’ll have them pull off when we reach it. This gives them the experience of flying faster (before teaching them to boost) and then I show them where the practice disc button is on their wrist. Encourage them to use the practice disc since they can respawn it as much as they want.

: I usually have new players hang onto me, then I fly them into this room. I’ll have them pull off when we reach it. This gives them the experience of flying faster (before teaching them to boost) and then I show them where the practice disc button is on their wrist. Encourage them to use the practice disc since they can respawn it as much as they want. Strategy Map : You can use the arena strategy map (to the right of the main lobby area) to explain how the game is played.

: You can use the arena strategy map (to the right of the main lobby area) to explain how the game is played. Launch Tubes : Show them how to grab you and then pull off as soon as you put your hand in the middle of the launch tube. Then, have them practice launching and pulling off right away.

: Show them how to grab you and then pull off as soon as you put your hand in the middle of the launch tube. Then, have them practice launching and pulling off right away. Combat Training Room : Make sure they know they’ll have to change clothes at the “switch” terminal at the entrance of the training area. Then, they can practice with the different types of guns. You can let people know that they can always come to this area to practice and hopefully we’ll have another beta soon.

: Make sure they know they’ll have to change clothes at the “switch” terminal at the entrance of the training area. Then, they can practice with the different types of guns. You can let people know that they can always come to this area to practice and hopefully we’ll have another beta soon. Toys: If someone won’t talk or seems especially nervous, just don’t worry about the game. Instead, bring them a “gift.” Take them a dinosaur and make it roar. Or give them a bat and a ball. The toys are incredibly fun and they help people open up who otherwise wouldn’t. Sometimes even players with a few games under their belts don’t realize what all the toys do (such as making music with the monster, watermelon and shark in the customization room).

After you’ve spent some time with a new player, please show them how to queue up for to SPECTATE a match. Even with the best teachers in the world, nothing compares to a little experience. I’ve never had someone come back and say they regretted spectating that first match. When you tell them how to do this, I would tell them to carefully grab the terminal (so they don’t accidentally press “Arena Match”). Then have them press the top left button (Arena) and the bottom right button (Spectate).

Finally, remember that the most important thing about Community Day is simply to present a welcoming atmosphere for new players. Anyone of any level can do this. EVERYONE is welcome in Echo VR and we want to ensure that it’s a safe, fun and friendly atmosphere for anyone who wants to play. Thank you for helping us make this the best community in virtual reality!

(If you’re interested, many helpers wear the traditional “Hamburger Helper” uniform. This uniform unlocks at level 31 and you have a special hamburger decal that you can wear with red and blue colors. This is completely optional, but it’s a fun way to signify that you are there to help out!)