What happens when you combine the immersive capabilities of virtual reality with some of the most beloved and popular sports in the world? You get an incredibly exciting and realistic way to play your favorite sport that doesn’t exist outside of your imagination and VR headsets just yet.
With VR technology only becoming more ubiquitous every year, we’ve decided to take a look into the future and figure out which sports games we think will be the best in 2024 based on what kinds of games are available right now. Feel free to check here and learn NBA expert picks so you can trust that they’re going to be pretty good!
1. Football
The NFL is one of the most successful sports leagues in the world. With over 1 billion fans worldwide, it’s no wonder that many people are hopeful about watching football games in virtual reality. The technology has been around for years and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon.
The first major breakthrough in this industry was when Sony released their PlayStation 3D headset back in 2010, but it wasn’t until 2016 that companies like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive started to pop up on the scene.
As VR continues to advance, the possibilities are endless with how we can experience sports games like football. One day you might be able to feel like you’re on-field tackling a quarterback or picking off a pass!
2. Soccer
The world of soccer is constantly evolving and changing, but we have a feeling that the games of tomorrow will be played with virtual reality (VR). The appeal to gamers is obvious: they can feel like they’re right there on the field, scoring goals and making tackles.
But what about players? Will playing soccer in VR make it easier or more difficult for them to perform at their best? We’ll just have to wait and see.
3. Basketball
The NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world. It’s no surprise that NBA teams are among some of the first to get involved with virtual reality technology.
The NBA has experimented with 360° video and has been using Google Cardboard to broadcast live games, but now they’re gearing up for a huge jump into immersive technology by partnering with NextVR on a new virtual reality experience set to launch next year.
This is sure to be popular among basketball fans, who will be able to watch their favorite teams play from courtside seats or even from inside the huddle.
4. Golf
Golf is a sport that has been around since antiquity and is played by millions of people across the world. It’s also one of the oldest sports with a rich history. It’s no surprise that golf is one of the most popular games to play in virtual reality. With new technology, players are able to feel like they’re on a real course, even if it’s just their couch or bedroom floor.
The best part about playing golf in virtual reality is that there are no rules when it comes to getting dirty or causing destruction (as you would get during an actual game). So you can spend hours practicing your swing without worrying about breaking something! There are many golf apps available for both Android and iOS devices, as well as standalone headsets such as Oculus Rift or PlayStation VR. A great place to start is Arccos 360 Golf – it has courses from all over the world.
5. Tennis
We can’t wait to get our hands on this one. If you’re a tennis fan, then there’s no doubt that you’ll be looking forward to this game. The gameplay is smooth and realistic with an emphasis on accuracy and timing over power. It’s not easy to master, but once you’ve got your shots down it’ll feel like you’re playing a pro match against your favorite player. And if that’s not enough, there are also plenty of game modes to choose from including singles, doubles, and even mixed doubles.
The game is set to feature top-tier players from across the globe and will also have a deep career mode, allowing you to create your own custom player and take him through his professional tennis career. The game is scheduled for release next year, so you’ll have plenty of time to practice before then. And if you want a taste of what it’s like now, you can watch gameplay footage online on YouTube and Twitch.
6. Boxing
This game is a boxing-focused title that puts you into the shoes of an up-and-coming boxer. The game was developed by a new company, Grab and Go Studios, and is set to release on December 17th, 2019. There are two main gameplay modes: Career Mode or Arcade Mode, with Career mode taking place over multiple episodes.
In this mode, you will train your fighter, sparring with opponents and earning money while attempting to climb through the ranks of professional boxing. Arcade mode is designed for more casual players who want to just have fun fighting against AI opponents without any real consequence.
7. Auto Racing
Motor racing is one of the most popular spectator sports in the world. The wizened wisdom of Formula One’s Bernie Ecclestone has always been that anybody can understand it, and at its heart, motor racing is a simple sport: You are driving a car around an oval track as quickly as possible, trying not to hit anything or anybody.
If you’re going to bet on auto racing, it’s important to understand how odds work. Betting odds are expressed as a ratio of how much money you would win versus what you’d bet. For example, if Team X were set at 1/2 odds to win a race, which means you’d win $10 if they win and have to bet $5. Simple enough!
Conclusion
The NBA’s big bet on sports-related VR is paying off. There are a number of popular games to choose from, with more being developed every day. With the top seven games outlined above, it’s clear that there’s something for everyone, from sports simulations to arcade experiences and more, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
