Saturday means a return of our regular weekend feature This Week in VR Sport. Where we look at everything relating to the world of sport. Be it competitive, non-competitive, traditional or eSports – which featured in last week’s outing. All within the fields of virtual reality (VR) as well as augmented reality (AR) and even mixed reality (MR) on occasion.
Actually this week has been rather dominated by stories about health and education, but there was one story though that we reported at the beginning of the week however and that was the announcement that the NCAA’s March Madness had received its own VR app for the Samsung Gear VR.
Intel & NCAA Team Up For Courtside VR Broadcast
Not only that but there will be coverage of the last sixteen (or the “Sweet 16”), quarter-finals (the “Elite 8”), semi-finals and championship match will all be available via a VR Premium Ticket.
This tied in with news that Intel was providing tournament coverage for VR as a corporate partner for the event. With the company offering two ticket price point options depending upon your funds and desired level of immersion.
Gold – for $2.99 per game or $7.99 for all six games
“Fans will be able to feel like they are sitting courtside with their favorite team, via fully-produced VR coverage incorporating multiple courtside cameras, sounds from inside the arena and dedicated game commentary featuring Spero Dedes with analyst Steve Smith and reporter Lisa Byington. Dedes, Smith and Byington will call the game specifically from the perspective of fans watching the live coverage in VR.”
Whilst Silver – for $1.99 per game, offers a more simpler service
“Fans can experience VR through a single courtside camera presentation (180-degree live stream) with the same commentary featured on the CBS broadcast with Jim Nantz, analysts Grant Hill and Bill Raftery, along with reporter Tracy Wolfson.”
The NCAA March Madness Live VR App (available on the Oculus store) also gives stats and other details whilst additional highlights in 360 degrees will be made available on the NCAA March Madness Facebook page.
A Marathon Effort In Los Angeles
And speaking of the realm of 360 degrees last weekend saw the Los Angeles Marathon take place, a video of which could be found on last Wednesday’s Life In 360° post. One of the publications covering the event was, naturally, The Los Angeles Times which placed a camera on one part of course. The result is a view with you effectively leaning up against a lamppost watching the various runners go past as the field challenges themselves in a very personal way.
You can see that video below:
VRFocus will be back next week at the same time with another round-up of all the week’s sporting action relating to VR.