Misaki
I've been a long-time admirer of Spine and the incredible work Esoteric has done in the 2D animation space. However, I can’t help but feel that Spine has been missing out on a massive opportunity which is VTubing.
Live2D has dominated the market, largely because it was one of the first major tools to cater to VTubers. But Spine’s workflow is, in many ways, more intuitive and powerful, particularly when it comes to mesh deformation and smooth animation blending. The ability to easily rig a character with Spine and create high-quality animation sequences already makes it a perfect fit for VTubing.
The demand for VTuber models has skyrocketed over the years, yet the barrier to entry remains high due to the cost of Live2D rigging commissions. If Esoteric provided dedicated VTuber export tools, support for real-time facial tracking, and an easy way to integrate Spine models into streaming software, it could open the door to a whole new market. Many aspiring creators would likely opt for Spine over Live2D if it meant a more affordable and user-friendly path to becoming a VTuber.
I truly believe that investing in VTuber-focused features and marketing could bring Spine to an entirely new audience, increase license sales, and position it as a serious competitor in this growing industry. I’d love to hear thoughts from the community and, hopefully, the Esoteric team on whether this is something that could be explored in the future.
Perhaps bringing in a team specifically to develop VTuber-focused features for Spine could be a smart move. Once implemented, it could create a steady revenue stream that helps support Spine’s other core development areas. Seems like a win-win to me
What do you think?
