Virtual Reality

At the end of February, a unique broadcast took place in Holland: the game of the leaders of the Feyenord Championship, FSW (2:1) was removed by a virtual camera. There was no need to wear special glasses or helmets - the feature was that the normal live image was transformed into a special 3D model in which at any time it could be seen from any angle. I mean, a goal can be seen by the eyes of an attacker, a gatekeeper, a half-protective who gave an effective transfer or a failed defence counsel.

On Fox Sports main channel, the match was in the usual format, and the new computer model was broadcast on Fox Sports 7 and on Twitch, which is particularly popular among heimers and cybersporters.

The new format was also used on Fox Sports main channel, but only occasionally, to analyse the key points of the match. For example, expert Ronald de Bur, at the first Féyenord goal, turned a virtual reality helmet and looked at a repetition from the player ' s position that gave the bare pass.

One of Fox Sports Henk van Meerkerk's top managers considered the experiment successful: " The Virtual Chamber allows viewers to see the match from the top, from the player or even the judge. This helps to increase the impressions of people sitting at home in front of the screen. "

In order to know how virtual reality technology has entered sports, Sport Connect contacted Sander Shawten, Director of Development of the Dutch Company Beyond Sports. She's the one who organized a unique Fox Sports broadcast.

♪ We launched the project almost three years ago before the 2014 World Championship. Meet a representative of the Dutch football Federation, show him how he works. virtual reality helmetand tested the technology at the national assembly. That's what started.

The focus of work beyond Sports is not unusual broadcasts, but training assistance.

The first format is an analysis of past games. After the match, any player may wear a helmet of virtual reality and again look at an important episode from any point, including his own eyes or the closest partner (the image is litterally squeezed, any part of the field can be chosen). This allows for the analysis of errors and improved interaction between players, because the helmet creates a field presence.

The second format is creating different game scenarios from zero. At the request of the coach headquarters, a situation is being modeled on the virtual field, and the player has to make the right choice, where to run, pass, et cetera. It's also in the helmet of virtual reality.