For diehard sports fans, it’s just a shame that there isn’t a match every day. Well, simulated reality sports are here to help with highly realistic, computer-generated matches. The software uses AI algorithms and big data analysis to bring real-life players, teams, and stats into the virtual world. It’s almost like watching a live event if only the graphics were that good.
Simulated Reality Leagues – Background
The first simulated reality league (SRL), based on the globally famous Indian Premier League (IPL), catered to cricket fans. It’s easy to understand why it was a sheer success: Cricket is the second most-watched sport worldwide, with a fan base of 2.5 billion people. Simulations are incredibly detailed, and the match unfolds move by move, just like in real life.
However, the format may have originated during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, when IT researchers from the Alan Turing University tried to simulate its outcome. They created a model that predicted that Brazil had more winning chances than Argentina. Yet, Argentina was the champion. The model crunched team stats like attack and defence from previous World Cups. Despite the failed guess, the technology has paved the way for SRLs.
While SRLs are pretty recent, the idea of simulating matches isn’t new. It can be traced back to the 1950s when Wilfred Winkenbach created the first card-based fantasy golf. Each golf player had a card with stats, and the results were based on the matchup of such stats. Does it sound familiar? While fantasy sports and SRLs have fundamental differences, this aspect is common to both: the drive to enjoy matches that never happened.
Nowadays, there are SRLs for varied sports, and punters can follow the SRL Big Bash League live score, for instance. Visual effects are paramount since the main point here is to recreate matches as realistically as possible. After all, poor graphics and floppy mechanics won’t deliver the same level of immersion.
Virtually Real
SRL graphics are comparable to the finest consoles today, with photorealistic graphics, effects, and spotless mechanics. Fans can follow the matches on computers on the right on their smartphones. Today, fast internet and capable smartphones are widely accessible, meaning the potential audience is vast.
However, PlayStation-like visual effects aren’t enough for punters, and developers keep innovating. Here are some of the best technologies already in use.
Cloud Gaming
Cloud computing makes game streaming possible, and it’s vital for SRLs. Thanks to this technology, which is a kind of Netflix for gaming, fans can access AAA games like Assassin’s Creed without downloading anything. Likewise, having a robust machine watch SRL matches isn’t necessary.
VR/AR
VR headsets are the latest word in immersive gaming and one of the best ways to watch SRL matches. Indeed, it’s pretty much like being in the stadium with 3D graphics and 360-degree views. Meanwhile, augmented reality glasses can project interactive elements in the player’s environment, display live stats, etc. VR and AR devices are getting cheaper and more accessible as tech giants like Meta and Google try to dominate the market.
Generative AI
Since punters can’t control any of the players, all the action is based on generative AI and procedural content generation. Instead of drawing each move and scenario like in old games, procedural content generation creates these details on the go, making them lighter. AI is also vital for dealing with the sheer amount of stats and variables involved in a simulated match.
Advanced GPUs
There’s a reason why game graphics don’t look Atari-ish anymore. Companies like AMD and Nvidia have developed amazingly capable GPUs that support 3D graphics and light effects effortlessly. Indeed, thanks to those processors, game designers can finally create cinematic graphics with lifelike light refraction, shades, and colours.
Advanced PC and console games already use ray-tracing visual effects. This technology emulates virtual cameras in a 3D scenario, “shooting” light rays and calculating their trajectory. It affects lights, colours, and textures, and it’s the latest word in gaming realism today.
Final Thoughts
Despite all the technology, SRL results rarely match those of real life, but that’s beside the point. After all, two teams rarely get the same result when playing twice. The most important thing about SRLs is that they can create highly realistic graphics, keeping fans engaged during off-seasons or when nothing is interesting going on.
It’s catchy because it looks like an actual match, and simulated athletes behave very much like their flesh-and-bone counterparts would. Simulated leagues are gaining traction worldwide with football, tennis, cricket, and many other sports.
Since digital technologies evolve at neck-breaking speeds, fans can expect greater integration with VR and AR devices, bringing simulations to a new level. Visual effects in SRL will likely follow the path of AAA games. It still requires top-notch hardware to work, but it isn’t wild to imagine in SRL games in the future.