Vstream, a streaming platform for Vtubers that first launched back in 2022, is shutting down due to lack of funding. VODS and clips have been made downloadable until the site becomes unavailable on April 1, 2024.
Focusing on Vtubers and community building, the site originally launched back in December, 2022. At first only curated ‘waves’ of streamers were given access to stream on the platform before it entered open beta in July, 2023. Earlier this year the platform hosted the Nebula Invitational Apex Legends tournement, which featured guests like Vshojo’s Froot and Meli Grant who voices the character Catalyst in the game.
The website currently hosts a Q&A section that explains that all subscriptions have been cancelled, all VODs and clips can be downloaded, and the threshold for creator payouts has been lowered to 0.
You can read the official Vstream notice of closure from CEO and Co-Founder Eric Koslow below:
TLDR;Â VStream is shutting down April 1st, 2024 at 00:00 PT due to running out of money and being unable to raise more funds. Please download any data you’ve uploaded to the platform before then, as the site will no longer be accessible after that time.
The Situation
Well, this was not a post I ever wanted to write. But, as you just read in the TL;DR, after nearly 2 years VStream will be shutting down on April 1st, 2024. At that time, we’ll be shutting down all of the video and web servers and the site will no longer be accessible. Unfortunately, we have run too low on cash, have failed to secure funds after attempting to fundraise these past 3 months, and it’s sadly time for us to wave the white flag.
We’re so proud of the tech and the platform we were able to create in such a short amount of time. The entire VTeam is incredibly disappointed that this was the outcome, but more than that, we’re sad that we’re disappointing you all; the VStream community. So many of you have been cheering us on these past few years and truly believed in the mission and vision of VStream. We never could have made it this far without all of your support!
Even though this is the end of VStream, this is not the end of the VTubing movement. I’m still a huge believer in VTubers and how they represent the future when it comes to entertainment online. VTubers deserve better than what they can get with existing platforms. And a platform like VStream will exist in the future, we may have just been too early. In the future, I hope people look back on VStream as one of the pioneers in the space. Walking, and stumbling, so that others later can run.
In other Vtuber news, performer Chris Shishio from Nanashi inc. announced that she would graduate at the end of May, 2024, after 4 years of streaming. Meanwhile, Design Coco and Cover Corp. unveiled a new design for a 1/7 scale figure of Hololive Vtuber Hoshimachi Suisei, based on the life-sized statue that appeared at the Hololive 4th Fes. in 2024.
Vstream will be shutting shutting down on April 1, 2024. The developers recommend downloading all VODs and clips before then.
