As mastermind Chris Milk put it, virtual reality may very well be not only the future of entertainment, but the future journalism forms as well. Virtual reality pieces imports a viewer into places that some of us would’ve never dreamed before. The technology and realism to this first-person platform makes people feel like they are in the shoes of another who can be hundred miles away. What makes virtual reality so valuable is that some people are willing to accept change when it comes to reading stories, watching news and documentaries. Consumers are always looking for more, and virtual reality can fulfill that need.
In previous classes, we have covered stories such as Walking New York, where we experienced first-person views of people on bicycles and inside of helicopters hovering over the city, as well as in the middle of a car bombing in Syria. How about experiencing a live sporting event in your bedroom?
As an a hopeful up and coming sports journalist, I’m going to try and pitch an idea of something that I am most experienced in. Living in the state of Connecticut and being a New York sports fan, it’s a bit of a hassle searching for tickets online, buying them, and either drive or take the train into the heart of the city. Is it worth it by the time you get home at 2:00 am? Yes, but what if I can watch the New York Yankees from behind the plate in my living room through the lenses of my cardboard google box, for maybe half the price of a regular ticket? Wouldn’t that be something worth experiencing? Or how about the events of a lifetime? Like Mayweather vs. Pacquiao live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Imagine looking through your phone, ringside, shift your body to the right and you’re sitting next to Drake or LeBron James who are present for the fight? Not only is that a little creepy, but it’s pretty awesome at the same time.
I’m sure there are people who would be interested in paying X-amount of dollars for something like that. These days, everything is about the coin, and if a business can haul in serious money for those who would spend more than a pay-per-view, and less than a ticket, I’m sure there is a way to configure that.
Viewing this idea from a traditional aspect. In ways, does it take away from the realness? Of course. The whole point of a sporting event is to be involved in the crowd, making your own noise and observations and experiencing the uniqueness of the event through your very eyes and ears. But this pitch is definitely not crazy. A massive percentage of us fans can’t afford crazy ticket admissions to Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, Superbowl 50, or the NBA Finals. What if virtual reality allows you to stream these events through your smartphone for a reasonable price? Anything is possible.
