Major League Baseball will provide virtual reality experiences, including a weekly live stream of an out-of-market game beginning next week, via Intel True VR, Intel announced Thursday.
The Intel True VR Game of the Week enables users to control their vantage point by selecting from up to four 4K-resolution camera angles per game — including the dugout and behind the catcher — or a produced VR broadcast experience. Fans will also have access to up-to-the-moment player and team statistics, including pitcher and batter data, and will hear exclusive in-app commentary. There will also be post-game highlights and on-demand replays of each game.
The games will be available for free through the Intel True VR app that can be downloaded on the Oculus store using a Samsung Gear VR headset. Here are the games scheduled this month:
- Cleveland Indians vs. Colorado Rockies on June 6 at 8:40 p.m. ET / 5:40 p.m. PT
- Kansas City Royals vs. San Francisco Giants on June 13 at 10:15 p.m. ET / 7:15 p.m. PT
- Detroit Tigers vs. Seattle Mariners on June 20 at 10:10 p.m. ET / 7:10 p.m. PT
- St. Louis Cardinals vs. Arizona Diamondbacks on June 27 at 9:40 p.m. ET / 6:40 p.m. PT
“We are excited to bring the Intel True VR experience to fans around the country every week,” Kenny Gersh, EVP, Business, MLBAM, said in a statement. “Our partnership with Intel will keep MLB at the forefront of technological innovation for our fans, bringing them closer to the action.”
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The three-year partnership was announced on the day MLBAM’s At Bat VR app was scheduled to launch to provide every game live in a virtual environment through Google Daydream headsets — though not in virtual reality. MLBAM Vice President of Games & VR Jamie Leece said last month he didn’t expect live VR games coming to the At Bat VR app “for a bit” with the app more focused on 360-degree experiences.
But with Intel True VR — once called VOKE VR — the games will be available every week after the NBA previously became the first pro sports league to have a regular schedule of live competitions broadcast in virtual reality. VR broadcasts had been tested in South Korea and Japan, but now MLB has a stronger commitment to the medium.
Intel also released findings from a survey in conjunction with Turnkey Intelligence, which polled more than 500 MLB fans ages 18-64 that found that 61 percent believe more technology would positively impact the viewing experience.
“As a VR partner of MLB, Intel is delivering a truly immersive virtual reality livestream where fans can experience the excitement of being at the ballpark every week,” James Carwana, general manager, Intel Sports Group, said in a statement. “The addition of live stats to the Intel True VR weekly games is another example of how we’re giving fans more control to personalize their baseball experience.”