Podcasts aren’t just audio you listen to on the bus anymore. More and more shows are also published on video, cut into clips for social media, and recorded with guests scattered around the world. In that context, two ideas that sounded like science fiction a few years ago are showing up: 3D studios you build in the browser and avatars that speak for you. Is this the future of podcasting or a passing fad? Probably neither in its pure form: it’s one more option that will live alongside the classic microphone and camera.
This article doesn’t make predictions with made-up numbers. It reviews what’s changing, what isn’t going to change, and what you can do today.
What has already changed
Podcasts became video too
Many audiences discover shows on video platforms and social media before they do in audio apps. That pushed creators to think visually: set, lighting, framing, thumbnails. If you’re still torn between formats, check out video podcast or audio only.
Remote became normal
Recording with guests in another city or country went from the exception to the norm. That opens the door to conversations that used to be impossible, but it also brings a problem: lots of remote shows look the same, like a grid video call.
Clips drive discovery
A well-chosen minute in vertical format can bring more people to the show than the full episode. Production is planned from the start so it can be cut up.
Where it seems to be heading
Studios that don’t depend on physical space
Building a set takes space, money, and everyone being in the same place. Virtual studios solve all three limitations: the set exists on screen, each participant joins from home, and everyone appears in the same place. With today’s browsers and technologies like WebRTC, there’s no need to install heavy software. If you’re curious about how the voice side works, see WebRTC explained simply.
Avatars as a form of presence
There are people with a lot to say who don’t want to show their face, whether for privacy, out of shyness, or because they’d rather keep the focus on ideas. Avatars give them visual presence without fully exposing themselves. And for those who do want to show themselves, an avatar with their photo on the face lets them keep some of their identity within a shared space. We go deeper on this in creating content without showing your face.
Animation that follows the voice
Static avatars feel lifeless. What makes an avatar believable is that its mouth, gestures, and hands respond when the person speaks. That syncing with the voice, lip-sync, is key for the conversation to read as a conversation.
Cameras that direct themselves
On a physical set, someone decides which camera goes live. In a 3D studio, the camera can automatically follow whoever is speaking and switch shots with a cinematic eye. For small shows, that’s like having a director without hiring one.
What isn’t going to change
No matter how much 3D there is, some things stay the same:
- Content rules. A spectacular set won’t save a boring conversation.
- Audio is the foundation. If people can’t understand what’s being said, nobody sticks around.
- Consistency wins. Publishing regularly still matters more than any tool.
- Trust takes time to build. No technology shortcuts that.
- Community is what sustains a channel. People come back for the people.
Table: recording formats and when they fit
| Format | Strengths | Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Audio only | Simple, intimate, cheap | Less presence on video platforms |
| Video on a physical set | Maximum expressiveness, real presence | Space, gear, and logistics |
| Recorded video call | Easy, everyone remote | Unpolished visuals, the grid |
| 3D studio with avatars | Consistent set, everyone remote, privacy | Learning the tool, a computer with some graphics power |
There’s no absolute winner. Most likely they’ll coexist, and each show will choose based on its topic, its team, and its audience.
Reasonable doubts about 3D
It’s healthy to ask:
- Does it look “like a game”? It depends on how it’s used. A well-designed set, with consistent colors and scenery, comes across as an aesthetic choice.
- Does it lose expressiveness? Somewhat, yes. Voice, reactions, and good framing make up for it. For very emotional conversations, a real camera is still hard to replace.
- Will my audience get it? Generations that grew up with video games and VTubers read it naturally; others may need a couple of episodes to get used to it.
How to get ready today
- Think of your show as both audio and visuals. Even if you don’t publish on video yet.
- Define a visual identity: logo, colors, type of set.
- Try formats without committing: a special episode with avatars, a panel discussion in a 3D studio.
- Listen to your audience. If they respond well, keep going; if not, adjust.
- Don’t abandon the basics: good audio, good content, consistency.
remocast was born from exactly that idea: that anyone can build a 3D studio in the browser, with avatars that wear their photo and move with their voice, and welcome up to six people with a link. It’s not the only way to make a podcast, but it is a way to try something today that, not long ago, required an animation studio.
If you’re curious, create your studio for free and record your next special episode in it.
Frequently asked questions
Are avatars going to replace people on camera?
It doesn’t seem likely that they’ll replace them completely. The most reasonable outcome is that they’ll coexist: some shows will use a camera, others avatars, and others a mix depending on the episode.
Do I need a powerful computer for a 3D studio in the browser?
You need a reasonably current computer with an up-to-date browser. The 3D is rendered on your computer, so a decent graphics card helps, but you don’t need a high-end machine.
Does audio still matter if I use avatars?
Yes, even more so. With avatars, your voice carries much of the expressiveness, so a good microphone and an echo-free space are still the foundation.