Overview

Every professional network starts with a single conversation—and Breakroom offers multiple ways to connect. Here you'll learn how to participate in public text chat, send direct text messages, access voice chat, and send in-world emails with attachments.

Communicating with other users

Voice chat

Voice chat is available on a by-zone basis. If you're in a zone that permits voice chat, you will see a button that says Microphone Off at the top of your screen. Click on it, and its appearance will change to indicate that your microphone is now active. You can learn more about voice chat by reviewing our conferencing system documentation.

Text chat

To access text chat, click the Show Chat button in the bottom toolbar. This will launch the text chat window. If there are multiple chat channels available to you, you will see these listed as tabs across the top of the window. Once you've selected the channel you want to use, click on the text field at the bottom and type out your message. You can then hit the Enter key on your keyboard or click the Send button to submit it.

Direct message

To send a direct text message to another user in the same region as you, click on their avatar and select Instant Message in the action menu that appears. A new tab will open in the chat window labeled with that user's name. After typing out your message in the text field, you can hit the Enter key on your keyboard or click the Send button to submit it.

If you've added other users to your People list, you can direct message them at any time by clicking the People button and then clicking on their name. Select Chat in the action menu that appears, and a direct chat tab will open as described above.

You can also search for a user, open their user profile, and click the Chat button in their profile to start a direct text conversation.

In-world email

Breakroom's in-world email feature allows you to send longform messages to multiple recipients. You can also distribute virtual objects, such as bookmarks and camera settings, by attaching them to in-world emails.

Receiving

If you receive an email from another user, a pop-up message on your screen will alert you. Click on the envelope icon in the top toolbar to open the Mail window.

The Mail window UI is fairly straightforward. Here is a brief overview of the different features.

To open an email and read it, simply click on the email preview that appears in the Mail window. Once you have read the email, you can click the Delete button to delete it forever, or the X or Cancel buttons to dismiss the email pop-up.

Sending

There are multiple ways to send email to other users within the Breakroom platform.

Sending email to another user in the same region

To send email to another user in the same region as you, click on their avatar and then click Send Mail in the action menu that appears.

Sending email to a contact in your People list

You can also send email by clicking on the name of a contact in your People list, and then clicking Send Mail in the action menu that appears.

Replying to a received email

To reply to an email someone else has sent you, click the Reply icon associated with that email in the Mail window.

Searching for an email recipient

If the user with whom you wish to communicate is located in another region, you can use the search field in the top toolbar to search for their name. If you like, you can filter the search results by checking the "User" option under Refine Search.

Once you've found the right person, click on the Detail button that appears beside their name in the search results. The other user's profile will open on your screen. Click the Mail button, and an email composition window will open.

No matter the contact method you use, the email composition window is the same. Here is a brief overview of the associated UI.

Attaching items

You can also use the in-world email system to share virtual items with other users. To attach an item to your email, follow these steps.

1. Open the email composition window using your preferred method, as detailed above.

2. Click the Open Inventory button in the email composition window.

3. An Inventory window will open. Click on the item you want to send.

4. If you like, you can set a sale price for the item using either Silver or Gold currency. If you elect to do this, there are two important things to keep in mind:

   1. Breakroom will take 10% of the selling price as a fee for doing business on the platform.

   2. If the other user declines to purchase the item, they will not receive it.

5. Once you are done composing your email, click the Send button.

6. If you have not set a selling price for the attachment, click the OK button to confirm your choice.

To accept an attachment, click the Accept It or Buy It button after opening the email.

Overview

Just as we rely on our physical bodies to help us experience the world and express ourselves, your avatar serves as your main point of reference within the metaverse. In order to explore, create, and socialize, you will need to move your avatar through virtual space. On this page you'll learn how to navigate regions by walking and flying, as well as how to animate your avatar through the use of gestures.

Controlling your avatar

Walking

You can walk around the virtual world using the arrow keys on your keyboard. If you're familiar with playing video games on a PC, you can also use the WASD keys.

Running

To run, hold down the Shift key while walking.

Jumping and crouching

To jump, press the space bar. To crouch down, press the C key while your avatar is standing on the ground.

Flying

To start flying, first press the F key. This will lift your avatar into the air, where it will hover. You can then use the arrow keys or WASD keys to soar about. Press the R key (or Pg Up key) to fly higher, and the C key (or Pg Down key) to fly lower. Press the F key again to land.

Click to walk

You can also move around by pointing your mouse cursor at a spot on the ground and clicking the left mouse button. Your avatar will then walk to the specified point and stop. This is called the "click to walk" setting, and you can turn it off in the Settings panel if you like.

Single-user and multi-user gestures

In addition to basic locomotion, Breakroom offers users the ability to play single-user or multi-user gestures at will. Gestures can add a spark of humor and energy to in-world activities, allowing users to express themselves and experience the immersive magic of the metaverse.

Purchasing gestures

Gestures can be purchased through the Breakroom Shop. Under the Gesture tab, you'll find gestures designed to foster connection (such as waving, bowing, shaking hands, etc.), single-user and multi-user dances, interactive objects, and more.

To locate the Gesture tab and purchase gestures, follow these steps.

1. Open the Shop window by clicking the Shop button in the bottom toolbar.

2. Click the Gesture tab located at the top of the Shop window.

3. Scroll through the gesture listings, or click on one of the gesture categories in the sidebar to narrow down your search.

4. When you find a gesture you're interested in, click on the listing. You'll be be given the opportunity to see a preview of the gesture using your own avatar.

5. If you like the gesture, you can complete your purchase using the standard checkout process.

Locating and playing gestures

To locate your purchased gestures, first open the Inventory window by clicking the Inventory button in the bottom toolbar. Then click on the Gesture category.

Gestures can be played directly from the Inventory window by following these steps.

1. Open the Inventory window and navigate to the Gesture category, as explained above.

2. Find the gesture you want to use, and click on it.

3. Click the Use button.

You can also keep your favorite gestures right at your fingertips by adding them to the Hot Bar. To do so, click and drag the gesture from your Inventory window to a Hot Bar space. To play a gesture from the Hot Bar, simply click on the gesture icon.

Stopping gestures

You can stop a gesture at any time (such as the dance gesture pictured above) by clicking the Stop Gesture button located at the bottom of the screen.

Multi-user gestures

Single-user gestures affect only your avatar. Multi-user gestures can be played with other people, allowing you to high-five, hug, and dance with your Breakroom colleagues. There are several ways to invite others to join you in the fun.

Closed gesture invitations

To invite a specific individual to play a gesture with you, follow these steps.

1. Click on the other user's avatar and then click Play Gesture in the action menu that appears.

2. In the Inventory Window that opens, click on the gesture you want to play.

The other user will see a pop-up asking whether they want to play the gesture with you. Once they give their consent, the gesture will play. Keep in mind that many multi-user gestures will temporarily take control of your camera in order to follow the gesture.

Either user can stop the gesture at any time by clicking the Stop Gesture button.

Open gesture invitations

If you play a multi-user gesture without specifying a particular partner, glowing blue rings will surround your avatar. Other users with avatars located within this "gesture zone" will then be asked if they want to participate in the gesture with you, and any of them may accept.

You can rescind an open gesture invitation or stop the gesture at any time by clicking the Stop Gesture button.

Overview

There's plenty to do and see in your virtual world—so how do you take it all in? The information in this section will help you master the art of avatar and camera movement. We'll also review the different ways you can interact and communicate with fellow users, explain your options for navigating both within and between Breakroom regions, and provide a cheat sheet of keyboard shortcuts that will further simplify your digital life.

Useful links

Avatar controls: Learn how to explore Breakroom's virtual regions by using your avatar to walk, run, and fly.

Single-user gestures: Need to express yourself through the art of interpretive dance? You can literally do that! Learn how to purchase and use expressive gestures to animate your avatar.

Multi-user gestures: Want to offer your colleague a high-five, or give your best friend a hug? Gestures also allow you to interact with other users.

Camera controls: To get the most out of your metaverse experience, advanced camera use is critical. This page outlines the fundamentals, as well as some handy tricks.

Communicating with other users: Learn how to speak with others through text chat, voice chat, direct message, and in-world email.

Exploring your world: Here you'll learn how to locate other regions and teleport to them, as well as how to issue teleport invitations to your contacts.

Keyboard shortcuts: Many common Breakroom tasks are tied to simple keyboard shortcuts.

Overview

While understanding avatar movement is critical, the most powerful way to experience virtual space is undoubtedly your camera. In the metaverse, the camera represents your point-of-view perspective, and can be detached from your avatar at will. This opens up a world of possibilities in terms of exploration, art appreciation, and region customization.

Controlling your camera

Adjusting the camera angle

When you first log in, your camera will be positioned behind your avatar in third-person view. You can control your camera with the following key and mouse button combinations.

Fly cam

Fly cam is another useful way to explore your surroundings. To enable it, hold down your right mouse button (RMB). You can then use the A and D keys to pan from side, the R and C keys to pan up and down, and the W and S keys to zoom in and out. You can also orbit items in this mode by moving your mouse.

Latch cam

Latch cam allows you to choose a specific object as your current focus point. You can then move the camera around it using the commands detailed above. To "latch" your camera onto an object, hold down the Alt key and click on the object with your right mouse button (RMB).

Mouselook

By activating mouselook, you can "lock" your camera to your mouse and take on a first-person perspective. This may be helpful during games, quests, or other in-world activities. There are two ways to turn mouselook on:

• Press the M button on your keyboard. You can then use your mouse to direct your camera. Press the M button again to exit mouselook.

• Use your scroll wheel to zoom in as tightly as you can on the scene in front of you. A dialog box will appear, asking whether you wish to enter mouselook. If you confirm your choice, you will enter mouselook at that time. Press the M button when you want to return your camera to third-person view.

Toggle full-screen

To toggle between full-screen and windowed mode, press the F11 key on Windows, or Command (⌘) + F on MacOS.

Toggle the UI

Press the F9 key or Alt + U on Windows, or Command (⌘) + U on MacOS to toggle the user interface on and off. This will also clear any seat tags that may be hovering over unoccupied chairs—useful for decluttering regions when you want to take photographs or capture video.

Additional Shortcuts

Overview

Teleportation gives users the ability to travel instantly to different locations both within and between regions. In this section, we'll take a look at Breakroom's navigation tools and explain how they can be used to explore your dynamic virtual world.

The Explore window

The Explore window can be used to access a listing of every featured region in a particular Breakroom world. You can open the Explore window by clicking the Explore button in the bottom toolbar.

The Explore window contains a search function, as well as several category tabs designed to assist with region navigation and promotion. Here is a brief overview of the associated UI.

To learn more about a region, click the listing image to call up the Region Information window. To visit a region, click the Enter button in the lower right corner of the region listing.

Region-specific navigation tools

Breakroom's conferencing system includes region-specific navigation tools. You can learn more about these tools by reviewing our conferencing system documentation, but as a brief overview:

• The General Navigation bar teleports users to pre-determined networking and event locations within a particular region.

• The Breakout Rooms bar teleports users to any breakout spaces located in a particular region.

• The Areas of Interest panel lists additional region spaces that users may want easy access to, such as event venues and art installations.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks are like virtual "pins" tacked on Breakroom's metaverse map. By making a bookmark and adding it to your inventory, you can save the coordinates of a particular region you might like to revisit. You can also share these bookmarks with other users, allowing them to travel in your footsteps.

Creating bookmarks

To create a bookmark, follow these steps.

1. Navigate your avatar to the region where you want to create a bookmark. Make sure your avatar is standing exactly where you want users to land.

2. When your avatar is in the right area, click the bookmark icon located above the mini map (highlighted above).

3. In the dialog box that appears, enter a name for your bookmark and click the OK button. This will create a bookmark object in your inventory.

Using bookmarks

To use a bookmark from your inventory, follow these steps.

1. Click the Inventory button in the bottom toolbar.

2. An Inventory window will open. Click the Bookmark category in the left-hand menu.

3. Locate the bookmark you want to use, and click on it. In the action menu that appears (pictured above), click the Teleport button.

Editing bookmarks

To rename a bookmark, click the Rename button in the bookmark action menu and enter the new name when prompted. To delete a bookmark from your inventory, click the Delete button.

Sharing bookmarks with other users

The only way to share a bookmark with another user is to attach it to an in-world email. Once they have accepted your attachment, the recipient will be able to use and edit the bookmark as described above. Please see our email documentation for more information.

Teleport invitations

You can always meet up with other users by teleporting to their location, or by asking them to join you. There are multiple ways to accomplish this.

Teleporting to other users

1. If the other user is listed as a contact in your People list, click on their name and then click Teleport to Player in the action menu that appears. Your contact will see a pop-up asking them to grant or deny your request.

2. If the other user is not yet one of your contacts, you can use the search field at the top of the People tab to search for a full or partial name. Results will be returned under the Everyone category. Once you've found the right person, click on their name and then click Teleport to Player. As above, the other user will be see a pop-up asking them to grant or deny your request.

Inviting users to teleport to you

To ask a user to join you, repeat the steps outlined above, but click the Invite Here action. The other user will receive your teleport invitation, and will have the option to accept or dismiss it.

Searching for regions

The search field located in the top toolbar can be used to search for regions by name. Clicking on a region name in the search results will open the Region Information window for that region. You can teleport directly to a region by clicking the "Enter the region" button in the Region Info window.