The National Football League (NFL) has formed a partnership with sports technology and gaming company, StatusPRO, to create an NFL-licensed virtual reality (VR) simulation gaming title.
Available on Meta Quest and PlayStation VR, the pair has stated that the game looks to ‘bring fans closer to the gridiron’ and allow them to play like a professional football player through a first-person 3D experience.
“Virtual reality gaming is rapidly expanding and our partnership with StatusPRO allows us to explore a new immersive version of NFL gaming with support of the two largest VR platforms within this emerging space,” commented Joe Ruggiero, SVP, Consumer Products at the NFL.
“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 collaboration utilises Miami-based StatusPRO’s athlete-led technology as the league works alongside its team of developers to ‘change sports gaming’ in the aim of giving fans a first-person experience.
Troy Jones, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of StatusPRO, added: “Today marks an important milestone for StatusPRO and the VR industry. By partnering with the NFL, we will offer a new form of engagement between athletes and fans unlike anything in the marketplace.
“NFL football fans and gamers alike will be able to connect with the world of sports through authentic, immersive gaming products that democratise the experience of the professional athlete.”
Moreso, the collaboration has stated that it looks to ‘transform NFL fans into pro athletes’, as well as being described as a ‘new era’ in sport.
Andrew Hawkins, Co-Founder and President of the firm, concluded: “We are grateful to the NFL and our community of investors and stakeholders who share our vision to create an entirely new standard in sports and gaming.
“We keep the athlete first in everything we do, and as former football players it means even more to be able to recreate what it actually feels like to step out on the field.”
