7 Things to Know About Virtual Sports

The next big thing in gaming in 2022 is virtual sports. While esports has quickly risen to be one of the biggest forms of entertainment on the planet, virtual sports in 2022 are quickly beginning to grow and could soon outperform traditional gaming.

However, some people don’t know or understand virtual sports and what they are all about. Here is a quick guide to tell you everything you need to know. 

What are Virtual Sports?

In simple terms, virtual sports are the gaming and online version of a regular sport. You can make a comparison that virtual sports of today are the modern and more realistic version of Wii Sports that we all enjoyed. 

Virtual sports are also less like regular video games and attempt to represent real-life sports. This can be seen in virtual Formula 1, something that is already popular across Twitch and has regular tournaments and championships. 

Drivers have a fairly advanced setup, including a racing chair, pedals, and a Formula 1-style steering wheel. They then compete across the real-life tracks, much like regular F1 drivers do. 

How Esport Has Influenced Virtual Sport 

Esports have played a massive part in helping virtual sports reach the mainstream. Professional gaming competitions were very low-key only a few years ago; nowadays, we see teams compete to win millions of dollars. 

Virtual sports are going the same way, with players and teams flocking to it to be the pioneers in this space. 

Difference Between Esports and Virtual Sports

The differences between esports and virtual sports are relatively clear, but the biggest one is the games played. Esports covers games such as Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, or League of Legends. In other words, games that don’t exist in “real life.” 

On the other hand, virtual sports are simply the computer and online version of a real sport. Instead of going to the archery range, you slip on a VR headset and grab a bow controller. They are also designed to be played by experts in the real-life version of the sport. 

Virtual Sports Available 

Currently, there are a handful of sports for people to watch and play. As mentioned, virtual Formula 1 is one of the biggest at the moment, but there is also horse racing, tennis, football, darts, basketball, and tennis. 

Virtual horse racing is attractive because people can buy virtual horses using cryptocurrency or real money. A computer randomly generates the attributes of these horses, but the more you spend, the better the horse. 

Horses then compete against each other with no outside influence, and you can win a wide variety of prizes, including more crypto, NFTs, cash, or race credits. 

Why Are Teams and Leagues Excited?

The biggest draw for players and teams is the amount of money involved in the world of virtual sports and esports. The latter is currently valued at over $1 billion and is only growing more and more as the months go by. 

Money isn’t the only driving factor either; the audience for esports is also way more extensive than anyone could imagine. The League of Legends Finals recently drew in more viewers than the Super Bowl, proving esports are already outperforming traditional sports. 

Virtual Sports in the Olympics

The next step for virtual sports is to be included in the Olympics, and the wheels are already turning. Organizers have already begun assessing the possibility of adding virtual sports as part of the Olympic roster. 

Not only is this a way to bring in a younger audience, but virtual sports is also easier to put on as they don’t need the same infrastructure and, therefore, money. 

Future of Virtual Sports

The future of virtual sports is bright. Virtual sports will only get bigger and more popular as they begin to have more and more tournaments and leagues. The fact that Olympic committees are already considering them for the 2032 Games is a sign of the trajectory of virtual sport. 

It is also only a matter of time before more professional athletes in a sport turn to virtual sports, even if temporarily in 2022. Once again, professional Formula 1 drivers have taken part in virtual races; there is no reason why other athletes can’t or won’t do the same. 

Featured Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash