I want to start activities as a VTuber, but of course, I’m concerned about the risks of revealing my face. It’s nerve-wracking to think that, despite hiding behind an avatar, my real appearance might accidentally show up… This can cause anxiety, can’t it?

In reality, there are not a few cases where mistakes in settings during streaming or careless operations lead to one’s face or living environment being seen by the audience.

But don’t worry. By understanding “why face reveals happen” and taking just a bit of preparation, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of it happening. In this article, I’ve summarized the causes of face reveal incidents and the immediate measures one can take, presented in an easy-to-understand manner for beginners. If you grasp these points, you should be able to enjoy streaming with confidence.

Do face reveal incidents among VTubers really happen? Why do they occur?

There have indeed been several reports of face reveal incidents among VTubers in the past.

It’s not uncommon for a camera feed to appear simply by slightly misconfiguring streaming software, or for a stream to remain live when one thinks it has ended, thus revealing one’s real face. Furthermore, identifying personal information through social media posts can lead to instances where not only the face but also one’s living environment or past activities might be disclosed.

There are two main causes. One is technical troubles related to the streaming environment or software, and the other is simple human error due to a lack of confirmation. Even minor discrepancies, without being due to special failures, can lead to significant incidents.

Main patterns of face reveal incidents

Typical scenarios include errors in switching scenes within streaming software, forgetting to end a stream, reflections in mirrors or monitors, and identification from past social media posts.

These can happen not only to beginners but even to seasoned streamers if they become complacent.

Face reveals due to technical troubles

Technical issues might include situations where the actual camera input is mistakenly selected instead of a virtual camera in OBS, or where tracking software’s settings screen inadvertently shows up during a stream. While VTube Studio is designed to not show live footage by going through a virtual camera, other tools may output footage during calibration, so caution is needed.

Additionally, unplugging and replugging USB devices can change device numbers, resulting in the wrong camera being recognized. High computer load can also lead to unintended source switches if the software freezes. Conducting test streams beforehand to check which source will be displayed can significantly reduce these risks.

Face reveals due to human error

On the other hand, the most common cause is human negligence. One might think they have ended a stream when it is still going, or they might accidentally share an unnecessary window. This risk increases especially when sharing the entire desktop, as notification pop-ups or folder names containing real names can be displayed. For safety, using application-specific screen sharing, turning off notifications, and utilizing streamer mode on Discord are recommended.

Environmental factors also play a role, such as mail or mirrors being reflected in the background, or one’s image being reflected on a dark monitor. There are also cases where one accidentally mentions location names or workplaces during chats, which could lead to one’s identity being suspected. In collaborative streams, comments from partners can create similar risks, so it’s advisable to check with them beforehand.

As you can see, the factors leading to face reveals lurk in both technical glitches and human slips. However, understanding these causes actually makes it easier to devise countermeasures. In the next section, we will explain the risks and points to be cautious about for each tool.

Explained by tool! Are there risks of face reveals? Points to know

In VTuber activities, the risks of face reveals vary depending on the software or applications used. Especially for beginners, knowing how safe the tools they choose are can offer peace of mind. Here, we will summarize the possible risks and important points for some representative tools.

VTube Studio

One of the most widely used tracking software currently is VTube Studio. When using the virtual camera feature, it allows only avatar footage to be sent to OBS, minimizing the concern that unnecessary UI or actual camera footage appears. The official page describes the design that prevents face video from being displayed on the streaming side, thus, provided that it is operated correctly, the technical risks are considered low.

One point to be cautious of is directly capturing the VTube Studio operation screen in OBS. If you do this, the UI or settings screens might end up being displayed during the stream, which could detract from the immersive experience. To stream safely, it’s best to stick to using the virtual camera.

Animaze

Animaze, the successor to FaceRig, is multifunctional and allows for lively expressions, but there are risks depending on settings. According to the official FAQ, as long as you are streaming via the virtual camera or secondary render window, real face footage will not be streamed even during calibration. However, this does not hold true if you are directly capturing the Animaze main window in OBS; if the calibration screen or camera preview is included, there’s a chance your face might be revealed.

Moreover, calibration is assigned by default to Ctrl+C (or the Start button on gamepads). If pressed by mistake, the screen will switch, potentially leading to an unexpected reveal during operations. It’s advisable to disable shortcuts or reassign them to different keys. Additionally, ensuring that the actual camera is not added as a direct source in OBS, and always capturing via the virtual camera, contributes to safer operations.

Cautions when using iPhone or smartphone apps

Many people might worry that when using iPhone for face tracking or streaming apps, “Will my camera footage show up just like that?”

The iOS version of VTube Studio officially states that it sends only motion data to the PC without sending the video of the face. Similarly, REALITY is designed to allow streaming with an avatar without revealing the face, so essentially, actual footage should not be streamed.

However, caution is necessary with device operation errors. If you accidentally open the camera app, or if notifications overlap on the screen, there is a possibility that actual footage could unintentionally be revealed. When streaming from a smartphone, make sure to close any unnecessary apps before starting, turn off notifications, and utilize features like screen recording mode to ensure a safe setup.

Be mindful of screen sharing and notification management

Aside from choosing the right software, the way you display your screen can also change the risks involved. Sharing your entire desktop raises the risk that folder names or notifications will be shown during the stream. It’s vital to specify only individual windows or game screens for capturing and to turn off notifications in advance. Using streamer mode on Discord, which prevents pop-ups and personal information from being displayed, is a good safety measure.

For details about Discord’s screen sharing, please refer to this article “Methods to share screens with OBS and Discord, and common troubleshooting!” for more information.

Thus, the risks of revealing one’s face differ by tool. Even if the design is inherently safe, accidents can occur if settings and usage are incorrect. In the next chapter, we will delve deeper into specific countermeasures for “how to prevent face reveals.”

What are the specific measures to prevent face reveals?

Having understood the causes of face reveal incidents, next, you want to know, “How can we prevent them?”

Without needing to invest heavily in equipment, simple changes and settings adjustments can greatly reduce risks.

Here, I’ve compiled specific countermeasures that can be easily implemented, including points mentioned in the previous chapter.

Correctly setting OBS and virtual cameras

When using OBS, the most crucial point is “not to capture the actual camera directly.”

By adding virtual cameras provided by tools such as VTube Studio or Animaze as sources, you can stream only the avatar footage. By standardizing to the virtual camera, no actual footage will be streamed even during calibration.

On the other hand, if you are capturing the application screen directly through window capture, there is a chance that the settings screen or camera preview may appear. Always utilize the virtual camera and make it a habit to check with a preview before streaming.

Shortcut management for tracking software

In Animaze for instance, calibration is assigned by default to Ctrl+C or the Start button on gamepads. Pressing these by mistake can lead to switching screens, possibly revealing one’s face if OBS is capturing the application screen directly.

This risk can be mitigated by disabling shortcuts or changing them to less easily mistaken keys. Furthermore, organizing unnecessary shortcuts can reduce unintended actions during streaming.

Physical camera covers and environmental arrangements

In addition to software settings, physical measures are also effective. If you install a slide cover on your webcam, your face will not be visible even in the event of a malfunction. This can typically be introduced for a few hundred yen, making it a recommended option for beginners.

Don’t forget about arranging the room environment either. Mirrors, windows, and dark monitors can cause unexpected reflections. Avoid placing mail or notes in the background, and ensure that webcams are securely fixed, as these small considerations contribute to safety.

Use a pre-stream checklist to prevent human error

Using a checklist is effective for reducing human errors. Prior to streaming, it’s reassuring to verify each of the following items.

• Is the source set to a virtual camera?
• Are notifications off or is the Discord streamer mode enabled?
• Are there any items containing personal information visible in the background or on the desk?
• Did you double-check the mic and camera settings?

Even as you get used to it, maintain a routine of checking every time to significantly reduce the likelihood of incidents.

In this way, simply combining stream environment preparations with daily operational rules can greatly prevent face reveal accidents. In the next chapter, let’s touch on the “risks of revealing one’s identity through voice or social media,” which is equally important.

Risks of revealing one’s identity other than face reveals and how to deal with them

When engaging in VTuber activities, the concern isn’t just about accidents where one’s face is revealed. Even when hiding one’s appearance, there are cases where identity can be established through voice, topics, or past social media posts. Here, we will examine the risks of “identity reveals” apart from face reveals and how to prevent them.

Risks identified through voice or speaking style

Surprisingly, there are many cases where acquaintances recognize someone by their voice. The way one normally speaks or their unique phrases are strongly indicative of their personality. Especially during extended streams, these habits naturally surface.

To counter this, consciously altering one’s voice tone, using a voice changer, and slightly changing the tempo compared to normal speech can be effective measures. Additionally, being mindful to avoid frequently used phrases during personal life while streaming can decrease the risk of unintended identification.

Cases identified through social media or past posts

This pattern is known as “previous life reveal.” It can happen when past social media accounts or blog writing align closely with current expressions or posts, leading to connections.

To avoid this, it is crucial to create new accounts specifically for activities and not link them to any personal accounts from the past. Reusing email addresses or avatar images can also provide clues for identification, so it’s best to separate them completely.

Information leakage from screen sharing and notifications

During a stream, when sharing screens for games or materials, unexpected information can leak. Notifications might display real names or acquaintances’ names, or personal information might be inferred from file names on the desktop.

To prevent this risk, turn off notifications before streaming or utilize the streamer mode on Discord. Furthermore, capturing on a window-by-window or game screen basis significantly reduces the risk of unnecessary information being shown.

Such “identity reveal risks” deserve as much attention as face reveals. Many can be prevented with a bit of awareness and habit, so incorporating these into your pre-stream preparations can ensure safer activities.

For more details about identity and personal reveals, please refer to this article “How to prevent identity reveals as a VTuber? Reasons and countermeasures” for further insights.

Conclusion

Face reveal incidents in VTuber activities are not rare occurrences. Many causes stem from simple troubles or human errors, such as misconfigured software settings, shortcut mishaps, or notifications showing up. These can occur due to familiar, everyday factors as well, not just special malfunctions.

Nevertheless, with the right knowledge and preparation, risks can be significantly mitigated. Using virtual cameras in OBS, organizing unnecessary shortcuts, and implementing physical covers as well as turning off notifications are all ways to take layered precautions. Additionally, it’s crucial to be aware of risks of identity reveal through voice and social media, and to separate accounts and review streaming habits.

Even if an accident happens, promptly stopping the stream, setting the archived stream to private, and minimizing explanations can help limit the damage. If you can respond calmly, you can keep the impact to a minimum.

In summary, the answer to “why do face reveals occur?” lies mainly in human mistakes and improper settings. And the “how to prevent them?” can be boiled down to eliminating risks through preparation and daily checks. With these points in mind, you should be able to enjoy VTuber activities without being overly anxious.

Now that you’ve established measures against face reveals, what’s next?

Once you’ve mastered face reveal countermeasures, why not also focus on the aesthetics of your streams? The streaming screen design service “Alive Studio” allows you to intuitively create a streaming screen that represents you in no time.

• Access to over 1,400 backgrounds and small item materials provided by VTuber material production team “Usaneko Memory”!
• Over 100 background music tracks available for use provided by the music material site “Maou-Dama”!
• Features including themed roulette and counter functionality!
• Enjoy all features for just 980 yen (tax included) per month!

“I want my streams to be more unique!” “I want to focus on production as well as safety measures!” If this resonates with you, be sure to give “Alive Studio” a try.

＼ Try it out free for the first 7 days! Elevate your streams to the next level! ／