Introduction to Virtual Reality Sports
A staff meeting at Re/code took an unexpected turn when Eric Johnson, the resident virtual-reality reporter, announced that he can be attending a soccer game to look at it being livestreamed right into a VR headset. This sparked a combination of reactions, but for one lifelong Manchester United fan, it was a dream come true.
A Lucky Break
The fan, who had been watching Manchester United for his or her whole life, had never had the possibility to see them play in person. However, when Eric announced that he can be attending the sport, the fan couldn’t consider their luck. The game was between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. In a surprising twist, Eric texted the fan a couple of hours later, saying he can be too sick to attend and offered the fan his spot.
The Virtual Reality Experience
The fan boarded the train and headed to Santa Clara, desirous to watch the sport in each virtual reality and real life. The event was organized by NextVR, a startup that was livestreaming the sport to a Samsung Gear VR headset within the media booth. Although it seemed silly to attend a game just to look at it on a VR headset, the fan was excited to experience the brand new technology. The screen resolution was crisp, and the motion was easy to follow, especially when it was happening near one in every of the five cameras arrange across the stadium pitch.
A New Perspective
The virtual reality experience offered a novel perspective on the sport. The fan was in a position to watch the match from angles that they had never seen before. The fisheye lens made players seem farther away than they really were when the motion drifted, however the fan was still in a position to feel like they were a part of the sport. One of the highlights of the experience was when the fourth official walked as much as the touchline to announce added time after the primary half. In VR, the fan looked to their left and saw him punching the numbers onto his board, then walking right by their shoulder and showing it to the attendees.
Behind the Scenes
The fan also got to go to the control room, where they saw the team of producers and NextVR founder DJ Roller overseeing the livestream. There were two important panels, one for audio and the opposite for video, and the team was pleased with their first-ever livestreamed soccer match. When asked about future plans, Roller mentioned that they hoped to livestream the subsequent NBA Finals from the comfort of individuals’s homes. However, NextVR later walked back this statement, saying that although live broadcasting to the house can be coming this yr, they couldn’t say what event or when just yet.
The Future of Virtual Reality Sports
NextVR hopes to sell their broadcasts to individuals who couldn’t or would not otherwise make it to the stadium. Some analysts say there might be a $4 billion market in virtual-reality sports broadcasts. The fan’s experience was a testament to the potential of this technology. With the power to supply a live sports experience that feels real, NextVR could revolutionize the best way people watch sports.
Conclusion
The fan’s experience watching the Manchester United vs. FC Barcelona game in virtual reality was a novel and exciting one. The technology offered a brand new perspective on the sport, and the fan felt like they were a part of the motion. As virtual reality sports broadcasting continues to grow, it should be interesting to see the way it changes the best way people experience sports. With its potential to supply a live sports experience that feels real, virtual reality might be the longer term of sports broadcasting. The final rating of the sport was Manchester United 3, FC Barcelona 1, but for the fan, the actual victory was attending to experience the sport in an entire recent way.
