Meta and NextVR Bring NBA Games to Virtual Reality

Virtual reality nba games

The NBA has partnered with NextVR and Intel to broadcast games live in VR. To watch, fans need to have a headset and download the XTADIUM or Meta Horizon Worlds app.

This season, the NBA is recording 52 live VR games in Xtadium and in Meta Horizon Worlds. Fans can watch the games and even suit up their Meta avatars with official NBA apparel.

Xtadium

NBA fans can now enjoy the game in a virtual environment using Xtadium, a social VR and MR sports experience that allows users to watch games courtside and play interactive multiplayer games. Xtadium is compatible with Oculus Quest headsets and has free content to watch right now. In the future, it will include a virtual ticket that can be purchased to watch premium games. The company also plans to add more features, including a live virtual arena and real-time statistical overlays.

Xtadium has become the first platform to stream NBA games in VR, but it’s not the only one offering this technology. Other platforms, like Meta and the upcoming Apple VR headset, have also developed immersive streaming and video content for sports events. The new technology could change the way people watch sports, as it allows them to feel like they are sitting in the front row of the arena.

The Xtadium app lets players host a ‘Watch Party’ and invite friends to join them in their private virtual rooms where they can catch the game together in VR as avatars. Guests can also interact with each other, cheering, booing, and chanting as the game unfolds. Moreover, the platform can support up to eight players playing as their own avatars at the same time. The Xtadium app can be downloaded from the Oculus store and is available for free.

This season, all 52 of the NBA’s announced games will be filmed in immersive 180-degree VR and be available on Xtadium and Meta Horizon Worlds (both of which require an NBA League Pass subscription to access). The games on Xtadium and Worlds will be geo-restricted, so viewers located near the physical event may not be able to view it.

Meta’s partnership with the NBA is a smart move, as it could help boost the sales of its Meta Quest headsets. The headsets have been primarily seen as gaming devices, but the ability to watch live sports in VR could encourage non-gamers to try them out. The company has already partnered with the NBA to offer official team apparel as wearables for avatars in its Metaverse.

Horizon Venues

Meta announced it is bringing NBA games to virtual reality (VR). The National Basketball Association is streaming 52 live events on the Metaverse this season, and fans can watch them through its Xtadium app on Quest headsets and in the NBA Arena in Horizon Worlds. The NBA Arena will allow fans to compete in interactive mini-games, hang out with fellow NBA fans, and cheer on their favorite teams.

In the past, Meta has used VR to broadcast a variety of marquee concerts from artists like Billie Eilish and Foo Fighters, as well as sports events such as UFC, the PGA World Tour, and more. But now the company is stepping up its game and creating a one-stop shop for social events in VR. The new platform, dubbed Venues, will be the next step in Meta’s vision to transform how people connect and share experiences.

The Venues platform will host a variety of live events, from music and sports to group meditation sessions and comedy clubs. And it will support Oculus Touch, the motion controllers for the Quest headset that enable full hand movement and gesture control in VR.

Users can enter the Venues metaverse and choose an event to attend by clicking on a virtual lobby that features their avatars. They can also select a seat in a virtual theater or arena to watch live or on-demand content, including NBA games and other sports.

NBA games on Xtadia and Horizon Worlds will be available through the NBA League Pass subscription viewing service. The games will be viewed in immersive 180-degree VR, and the experience is free to all Xtadia and Horizon Worlds users. In addition, viewers will be able to purchase NBA merchandise directly on their avatars’ stores.

NBA players will interact with the audience during a game in Horizon Worlds, which will include augmented reality elements that will show player stats and highlights. The VR experience will also feature a holographic NBA broadcaster. Users will be able to interact with the broadcaster and ask questions via the chat function. In addition to this, the players will also be able to play mini-games with their teammates.

Meta Horizon Worlds

NBA fans can now enjoy virtual reality (VR) matches of their favorite teams in Meta’s Metaverse. NBA Arena is a virtual sports environment that features immersive 180-degree VR games and live broadcasts of both on-demand and seasonal matches. The league has partnered with Meta to host these matches on the Meta Quest headset. In addition to the NBA Arena, the company has also launched Xtadium for watching live immersive sports events.

In the coming weeks, users will be able to purchase NBA-licensed apparel for their avatars. This will allow them to represent their favorite team on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger. They will also be able to play interactive NBA-themed mini-games, including Slam Dunk Jam and Basket Blitz.

Unlike other VR sports apps, which focus on the game itself, Meta is focused on fan interaction. Its virtual basketball arena will feature a variety of virtual items that can be crafted by players, including virtual shirts, shoes, and accessories. Users will be able to earn rewards by participating in games and interacting with other users. These rewards can be used to unlock virtual merchandise for their avatars, generating additional revenue for the company.

The partnership with the NBA will bring more than 50 live games to Meta Horizon Worlds this season. These games will be offered in a dedicated arena where fans can watch NBA content with friends and compete in interactive mini-games. The app will also offer a package of 52 live NBA League Pass games.

Meta Horizon Worlds is free to download, but some features require a premium subscription. You can try out the app for free for 7 days, 14 days, or 30 days, but your membership will automatically renew unless you cancel it in your payment settings.

It is still too early to know if Meta Horizon Worlds will be a success. The platform has already faced many challenges, including security and monetization. In fact, it was recently revealed that a woman was sexually assaulted in the virtual space by a stranger. Moreover, the lack of user growth has led to some doubts about Meta’s long-term prospects.

Meta Quest

Meta has released a new version of its Quest headset, which is now available for $399. The new device offers more storage and improved performance. In addition, it now features a built-in display and two cameras that track your real-world surroundings. This feature can be used for virtual collaboration and meetings, as well as immersive gaming and education.

The Quest headset is designed to be easy to use, with a simple button on the side that toggles between a fully immersive experience and a mixed reality view of your physical environment. It also has a dual-microphone system that allows for crystal-clear audio. Its sleek design makes it comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The headset can be easily adjusted with the help of a flexible headband.

If you’re a fan of NBA basketball, you can now watch live games in VR with the help of Meta’s Xtadium app and NBA Arena in Meta Horizon Worlds. The NBA plans to broadcast 52 live games on Xtadium this season and will also stream WNBA, NBA G League, and NBA 2K League games in the future. Additionally, you can play a variety of NBA-themed games and compete with friends in a dedicated NBA Arena.

As with the original Quest, the Meta Quest 3 offers peak performance with a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor and an LCD screen with a resolution of 2064 x 2208 pixels per eye. This provides crisp details in immersive games and a high refresh rate that reduces the likelihood of motion sickness. The headset is also more durable and comfortable with a better head strap and advanced camera sensors.

In addition to the new hardware, Meta has improved its software and expanded its ecosystem. The Reality Labs team has added more than 1,000 applications, and a new platform called XR Apps makes it easier for developers to create VR experiences. The company has also increased the maximum storage to 256GB, which should be enough for most users.

Businesses can use the Meta Quest to conduct immersive product demonstrations, virtual store tours, and travel experiences. This can increase customer engagement and improve business efficiency. In addition, businesses can offer technical support through a virtual VR experience that lets them walk customers through complex procedures and troubleshoot issues.