⚡️ Quick Answer
Once you're inside a discussion room, interacting with your screen brings up all your controls: chat, view modes, mic/camera, and the members list. You can move your avatar around, switch between Flow and Simple views, expand the active speaker, and more to engage inside the discussion space.
🔑 Setup for Success
You're already inside a discussion room. This guide covers navigation within a room, not how to join one (You can learn more about that HERE).
Mic and camera permissions are granted. If your mic or camera won't turn on, see the separate tutorial for details. Click HERE.
Stay active to stay in the room. If you're idle for more than 60 minutes — no clicking, typing, or mic activity — you'll get a pop-up asking if you're still there. If you don't confirm it will kick your from the room.
✅ Step-by-Step
Bring back your controls
If the screen looks empty, that's idle mode. Click, tap, or type anywhere to bring all options back.
Chat inside the room
The discussion room chat works like the universal OASIS chat, but it's limited to this room only. Messages here stay here — they don't appear in the overview map, biomes, or vistas chats.
Interact with other members
Hover over any member's avatar (or their camera, if shared) to:
Click the eye icon to open their profile preview, where you can send a friend request, block, or report them.
Click the three dots to mute them or hide their video — for yourself only.
Switch your view
Flow lets you move around freely. Tap the screen to move your avatar (web and mobile), or click and drag to reposition (web only).
Simple tucks you into the corner and keeps the active speaker front and center, with other members in the left-hand corner. Use it when a busy room starts to feel chaotic.
Expand the active speaker
Click the expand icon to open the active speaker in a larger pop-up. This always follows whoever is currently talking — not just the person you clicked. From there, click into full screen, and exit full screen with the X in the upper-right corner.
Use your room controls
At any time you can unmute your microphone, turn on your camera, or leave the room.
Open the members list
Available in both Flow and Simple views. It shows everyone in the room plus the same quick actions you get from hovering an avatar.
Important Note: Discussion rooms only allow for microphone and camera access. They do not allow for screen sharing.
➡️ What Happens Next?
Ready to talk? Unmute your mic or turn on your camera — and if those aren't working, the permissions tutorial walks you through the fix. If you hit the 60-minute idle pop-up, respond to it to stay in the room. As long as you keep interacting, your session continues indefinitely as long as there are members inside the room.
Once the last person leaves the discussion room, it resets.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does muting or hiding someone affect everyone?
No. Muting a member or hiding their video only changes your experience. They can still talk and be heard by others — so if you've muted someone, be aware they may be contributing even when you can't hear them.
Will my room chat show up anywhere else in OASIS?
No. Discussion room chat stays inside that room and won't appear in the overview map, biomes, or vistas.
Why can't I see anyone's camera?
Avatars only show video when a member has turned their camera on. If yours won't turn on, check the permissions tutorial.
What's a "hot mic"?
Someone whose mic is unmuted, often unintentionally, picking up background noise. If it's disruptive, mute them for yourself using the three dots.
🙋 Need More Help?
If you have additional questions, please contact support and we'll help you out!
📖 Glossary
Flow — The default view; move your avatar freely around the room.
Simple — A compact view that tucks you into the corner and highlights the active speaker.
Active speaker — Whoever is currently talking; they stay highlighted and fill the expanded pop-up.
Expand icon — Enlarges the active speaker into a pop-up that follows whoever is speaking.
Members list — A roster of everyone in the room, with quick actions; available in both views.
Hot mic — An unmuted mic picking up unintended audio.
Profile preview — The card from a member's avatar where you can friend, block, or report them.