World Cup with PSVR

Courtesy of the BBC, the World cup matches they are showing also have a VR option, there are multiple VR devices supported, and thankfully PSVR is one of them.

I am trying it during Peru vs Denmark match, and I must admit to being pleasantly surprised, You can choose between 3 views of the match, changing your preference at anytime using R1 and R2 on the controller, your choices, behind each goal (well just to the side of the net) and a centre View, like sitting in an executive box.

If you look behind the virtual couch you are on, you are indeed in a room, furnished with more couches and TV's, although you are the only inhabitant, apart from a small guy (really small) you can activate, who wonders around in a little football kit.

From the centre you can see the whole pitch, much like being there, it was great getting the whole view of the game, seeing not just what was happening on the ball, but off it. Watching the players positioning and the opportunities open to them, Something you don't see on TV.

I could even see the camera whizzing above the pitch on the wires TV uses for many of their shots, the stretcher people carrying an injured player off the pitch and down the tunnel and I was able to watch what was going on with the managers roaming their technical areas.

For those who prefer TV, you can also activate a screen, that if you look up, you can watch the normal BBC output and replays.

Now as impressed as I am, it is not perfect, resolution being the biggest issue, it's not bad and certainly watchable, but identifying individuals, especially if you don't know them, is not easy, in fact pretty much impossible.

The sound is nothing special either, basically what you would get from plugging a pair of headphones in the TV, so lacks the passion of a real match (something I'm sure they could improve) although maybe swearing etc is something they need to control, so maybe not.

Overall I'm impressed, surprisingly so, I really thought it would be a fun gimmick, something I would try once and tell friends about, I'm not saying I'm going to be watching all matches in VR, but one thing it does show is it's potential.

This is first generation VR, and I really am impressed, it has wetted my appetite to see matches on second or third generation VR. I can honestly say I would probably prefer watching it that way.

Anyone with PSVR, download the app and give it a try, it's free, and as soon as the next live match is on, take your virtual seat, it's worth it for the experience alone.

Oh well. back to the second half.

http://www.pushsquare.com/news/2018/06/guide_how_to_watch_the_world_cup_with_psvr

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44038006

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4Fi091jy9c