Nike And Facebook Brings Sneaker Sales To Messenger App With AR
Earlier this week during Facebook’s F8 conference, it was revealed that Nike was launched a partnership with Facebook to allow shoppers to take advantage of AR technology within the Messenger app. This allows users a chance to unlock an AR experience that gives them a look at pairs of limited-edition sneakers before they decide if they want to purchase them or not.
By linking their SNKRS account to the app, users can reveal Kyrie Irving’s Kyrie 4 Red Carpet sneaks using an emoji passcode and make them appear in front of them in virtual space. Users can then watch around the sneaker, looking at all the details before the end of the experience and a prompt to purchase the sneakers, should the users wish to. Though the sneakers sold out in minutes, it is still a rather interesting use of AR to help promote sports merchandise.
AR is continuing to be used for more applications in sports beyond just enjoying the coverage with experiences like this one showcasing how merchandise can be promoted to fans outside of events. It is unclear how much further this partnership between Nike and Facebook will develop but could this be used as a means to sell tickets to special events in the future? it is possible. There were a number of non-sports related AR announcements at the F8 conference which you can read more about here.
Kings Guard Gaming Announced Partnership With CEEK VR
Kings Guard Gaming – the first eSports franchise of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, announced earlier this week that it has a new partnership with CEEK VR. This award-winning developer of premium VR and AR experiences will bring a new aspet of eSports entertainment to Kings Guard.
This partnership will see a number of CEEK VR headsets and technologies being featured in the Kings Guard world-class eSports training facility and content studio housed inside of Golden 1 Center, a technologically advanced and sustainable sports venue. Kings Guard players and guests to the arena will be able to enjoy the eSports facility with performances and concerts from world-class acts produced by CEEK VR. This will include features inside the world of NBA 2K League and Kings Guard being made available in the coming months.
The implementation of the partnership is already under way with signage and displays setup and ready to go for upcoming matches that will be taking place. The experiences will offer fans a new way to engage with their favourite teams and get closer to the action then ever before.
ePlay Announced Big Shot AR, The Next Title To Rival Pokémon Go
ePlay Digital announced earlier this week their upcoming AR sports title which was demonstrated to groups of investors and select media behind closed doors. The company is calling this title Big Shot AR and it is said to contain a number of sports related games that can be enjoyed within AR including fantasy sports leagues, eSports streaming, selfies and other mobile videogame features. The company is describing Big Shot AR asPokémon Go but for sports.
“Walking around the office or the neighbourhood with kids finding virtual reality athletes in the real world, taking augmented reality selfies, and then creating a fantasy team like nobody has ever seen before is really exciting,” says Trevor Doerksen, CEO of ePlay Digital. “There are few games that can rival Pokémon Go and we hope to be able to replicate some of that magic.”
The company is leveraging the Mobovivo AR Game Engine in order to create Big Shot AR, which it hopes will become a series of titles. The company are expecting Big Shot AR to generate revenue upon launch thanks to in-app purchases for digital goods and mobile adverting that will be included as well. The first title in the Big Shot AR series will focus on the NBA, followed by sports such as NFL, NHL and so on. The release date for the first title is expect to be revealed in the coming month.
That is all for This Week In VR Sport. For more on immersive sport news keep reading VRFocus and remember to check back next week for another This Week In VR Sport.
via Mint VR