The NFL seems to be acquainting itself with the idea of VR in their new video for NFL Next, the association’s name for the bevy of technology they’re adopting to help revolutionize the game. The second promo reel was released as somewhat of speculative head-scratcher that makes us wonder if there might be some NFL VR content around the corner.
Limited seating space, the high cost of tickets on the 50-yard line, constantly changing venues—there are multitude of reasons for sporting associations like the NFL to get into VR-centric technologies like livestreaming 360 video, and branded VR football games.
But just how the NFL plans on delivering these ‘step into the cleats’ experiences talked about by the likes of Prof. Jeremy Bailenson of Stanford’s Virtual Interaction Lab and co-founder of STRIVR Labs, a newly created VR tech company providing training solutions to sports teams like the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers—we can’t say for sure.
“I do believe fans will be able to put on the head-mounted display and have a highlight reel and get to experience play, and feel what it’s like to be someone else for a minute,” said Bailenson.
See Also: First Look: NHL Testing NextVR for Live VR Broadcast of Hockey Games
Recently ESPN aired a VR-themed ‘insiders look’ during the Maryland v. Stanford game where ESPN reporter Greg Ostendorf strapped into an Oculus DK2 to talk about some of Stanford’s VR training resources. Ostendorf remarked that with the technology provided “they can simulate what the defense is going to be doing so the quarter backs can put on [the VR headset] and go through their different protections, go through their reads, make their adjustments, make their offensive line and protection calls…”
As far as games go, Oculus VP of mobile Max Cohen maintains that a few good game mechanics could make for an enjoyable VR football experience.
“Maybe the right football mechanism is you’re a receiver. You don’t have to do the running, but you look and then you actually have to reach out and catch in the right place… you can find that right mix where it’s a lot of fun to give you that sense [of playing football].”
Coincidentally, a football game was seen in the video released by Oculus detailing some of the games coming at launch of Touch, the company’s optically tracked hand controllers. A brief flash of gameplay shows the user in the shoes of a receiver ready to catch a football in flight. The game has yet to be officially announced.
