How Can Sports And Video Games Be Combined For More Fun

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Sports have had a long history. Their health benefits are countless, with studies suggesting a strong connection between physical exercise and your overall mental well-being as well. And yet, the most popular activity occupying the minds and time of the younger generation and adults has not been the classic game of rugby, but a new innovation of the modern age- gaming. Yes, gaming, since its massive expansion in the early 2000s, has seen an amazing increase, with tournaments being held all across the globe.

And although some fear it will become even more popular than regular sports, others have found ways to combine the two and have an interactive and adrenaline-packed experience.

A global event

The global demand for an interactive player experience allowing many to connect and spend quality time together has later contributed to the creation of the phenomenon known as Esports. The global tournament competition has, since its beginnings, been a worthwhile event with high demand across the planet. The interactive nature of the tournament allows players to connect in a well-organized competitive structure, with the winners taking amazing prices back home.

The tournament has been so popular that a new interest in watching esports has become as popular as playing, only adding to the experience. To a similar extent, one can create an identical experience with his friends and use their love of sports and gaming to create a small event of their own.

Simulators

For those who have the space needed to set up a real simulator, there is probably no better solution, or at least no more realistic one, than this. Simulators have been around since the first Wii console was released, and since then, much effort has been put into making the technology bigger and better. For example, golf simulators have been extremely popular as they perfectly combine the experience of gaming with realistic physical action. The setup can take up some space, but it has all the elements needed to make it a real-life simulation. And when we say “real life”, we mean it, as there is even artificial grass, a classical club, and the only digital part is the simulation of the golf ball flying across the field. The simulators realistically recreate the outcome of a shot depending on your body’s posture, position, and force prior to the hit. It’s perfect for people who are learning to play or for those who are unable to take the time to visit a real golf course. Whatever the case might be, these simulators have been a “hot” topic in the world of gaming and equipment as it’s the closest you can get to having an almost lifelike experience.

And, if another pandemic hits, you’ll be prepared to spend lockdown at home and enjoy a party of golf, but hopefully, you won’t need a pandemic for that.

Preparation for athletes

An interesting application of video games can be seen in the efforts of trainers to use video simulation as a preparation ground for their athletes. Professional athletes are playing these video games to reconstruct lifelike, similar situations and thereby create new and well-coordinated tactics they’ll implement on the field. A simple game of FIFA or NBA allows them to try out new ideas and work on their technique; above all, it takes away some of the stress and lets them have a good time. Of course, this is not reserved for athletes only, and any person can buy a new FIFA game and enjoy the experience at home.

Real simulations

The advances made in perfecting VR technology have made it possible to incorporate one’s love for sports and gaming. Numerous manufacturers have already released video games compatible with VR technology. It’s simple enough. By using joysticks and a VR headset, you are allowed to take part in a digitally replicated world where you play your favorite game while being at home. Of course, the best part is that two people can connect via a large online server and enjoy a match together. However, this has created another problem, and people have reported getting into little accidents, smashing or breaking things while playing at home. That’s why a more restrictive yet equally entertaining simulator might be the right solution. And before you ask, yes, they already exist.

Of course, there are ways to enjoy gaming and sports without much physical exercise or involvement besides your thumbs. You can easily play a match on your Xbox and enjoy the adrenaline thrill of playing sports while sitting in front of your flat TV. However, a much better solution might be to look into all the interactive options available, as they allow you to take an active part in the whole experience.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Geek Vibes Nation.