An announcement today from the National Football League shows the company moving into virtual reality. Partnering with StatusPro, the NFL is aiming to release an official VR videogame for the millions of football fans around the world.
While there are already several attempts at bringing football to VR headsets, nothing has come directly from the league themselves. Information is thin on the ground, but the game is described as a “first-person simulation” in a press release. This could mean staring out from the eyes of the quarterback, scanning the field before the snap, then launching a rocket out to the receivers.
A partnership with StatusPro is a worthwhile collaboration as the company was founded by former Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns wide receiver, Andrew Hawkins, and former college quarterback Troy Jones. With this kind of experience guiding the game, we can only imagine it will bring a level of authenticity.
Speaking on the partnership and VR opportunity, Joe Ruggiero, the NFL’s SVP of consumer products says, “We are seeing a growing number of fans engaging with VR and we’re excited to launch the first-ever VR gaming title that complements our existing offerings in the market today.”
The quarterback position on the field could really suit virtual reality, due to the style of play. Motion controls and the unique first-person perspective will make anyone feel like a pro on the field. Hopefully we’ll get more details on the game before the new football season starts on September 8th 2022.
