NFL announces official VR game for Quest 2 and Playstation VR
American Football is getting an official NFL VR game. The choice of the developer may surprise fans of sports games.
In the wake of the metaverse hype, more big companies and brands are setting their sights on virtual reality again. The National Football League (NFL) is also looking to make its digital sports offering more immersive: During the Game Developers Conference 2022, the association announced a VR game with NFL license for Meta Quest 2 and PlayStation VR. A release for Playstation VR 2 would make sense but has not yet been confirmed.
It is unusual that the industry giant Electronic Arts is not responsible for the development. The well-known publisher regularly launches Madden games for 2D platforms. Instead, the still nameless VR game is being developed by StatusPRO.
Official NFL VR game bets on a first-person perspective
The studio is still vague about the scope and content in its announcement of the game. The release date is not yet known either. A drastic change is a switch from the typical bird's eye view to the first-person perspective.
President and co-founder of StatusPRO Andrew Hawkins explains this decision with his personal background: "As former football players, it means even more to us to be able to recreate what it really feels like to go out on the field."
A new era has begun. @NFL x StatusPRO pic.twitter.com/cP6emzcZoh
- STATUSPRO (@STATUSPRO) March 23, 2022
Hawkins' statement isn't just marketing: StatusPRO offers a range of professional training sims and fan products built on VR and AR technology that analyze data.
Analyst Sportcal reports that software from StatusPRO is in use by several NFL players and coaches to promote performance, health and training. Even the professional offerings are marginally focused on fun. StatusPRO has to prove that it can translate its know-how from the professional sector into a VR game that is great fun.
Can VR make digital sports games better?
StatusPRO can't compete with Electronic Arts' decades of gaming experience. But the studio has the chance to set new impulses with its fresh perspective on VR headsets. This is especially true because EA's Madden series is extremely successful, but the games have been treading water for years.
Financially, StatusPRO last received support in November, according to Sportcal. Investors reportedly include basketball superstar LeBron James, tennis great Naomi Osaka, rapper Drake and the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers NFL team.
Read more about VR Games:
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