Personalizing the VR experience is essential for virtual reality’s increased role in sports, panelists said at Virtual Reality 20/20 Monday (Oct. 16).
Making it unique for the user is key to making it special, they said during the session "Moving the Goal Post for VR and Sports" at the Stewart Hotel in New York. VR 20/20 ispart of NYC Television Week.
“Personalization is really important,” said Meredith Kinsman, digital strategist and group director at Octagon. “You’re not trying to lock someone into a headset.”
Read More: Complete Coverage of VR 20/20
Dipak M. Patel, co-founder and CEO of Zeality, said VR is a key way to get the younger generation more involved in consuming sports. “Personalization is going to be a huge part of that,” he said.
Patel said several sports are “dying,” mentioning boxing and golf. “The challenge now is to make it relevant,” he added.
VR may be the thing that best brings millennials to the party. “It makes us feel like we’re closer, more a part of it,” said Vince Cacace, founder and CEO, Vertebrae. Consuming sports through a headset, he said, is “engaging and exciting.”
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The panel was moderated by tech exec Joanna Popper, who mentioned how the Golden State Warriors put together a VR presentation when Kevin Durant was considering which ballclub to join. The Boston Celtics, for their part, had video of Patriots QB Tom Brady pitching Durant. The Warriors’ pitch worked.
“VR is more impactful than Tom Brady,” she quipped.
Kinsman said the NFL translates particularly well into VR. Hockey and tennis, not so much. She discussed the next iteration of the VR sports experience, including looking into a 360-degree viewing dome.
“You’re in a sports bar,” she said, “but you are live on the field.”
