Powered by VIVE: The Inaugural MLB VR Home Run Derby
Metaverse
5 minutes read
Fans will swing for the fences with a special All-Star bat combined with a VIVE Tracker.
The MLB Home Run Derby isn’t until Monday, July 16th—practically an eternity for baseball fans and anyone who loves a good dinger. Fortunately for them, the excitement gets started much, much sooner than that.
Starting today, July 13th, fans of all ages attending the GEICO® All-Star FanFest or PLAY BALL Park will have a chance to do their best Derby impression and qualify for the inaugural MLB Home Run Derby VR Championship competition.
What’s the MLB Home Run Derby VR Championship, you ask? Played on a special All-Star version of MLB Home Run Derby VR, fans will step up to the virtual plate with the VIVE Pro and hit as many balls as they can in 90 seconds with a VIVE-tracked bat. The top 32 hitters will advance to the main event Monday, July 16, slugging it out in a bracket-style championship that will be live-streamed across Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and Mixer. Calling the event will be gamers RealShelfy and Fuzzy, MLB Network’s Alexa Datt, and last, but definitely not least, nine-time MLB All-Star and former AL MVP Fred Lynn.
In addition to being crowned the MLB’s first-ever Home Run Derby VR champion, the winner will receive a grand in-real-life prize for hammering their way to the top: A custom Tiffany & Co. Derby Trophy, four tickets to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, an official 2018 Commemorative Louisville Slugger® bat with custom Lizard Skins™ grip, custom 2018 All-Star Game jersey, official 2018 MLB All-Star Game on-field cap featuring the team of the choice, and a one-year subscription to MLB.TV. Plus, bragging rights. Not too shabby.
Long story short, the MLB Home Run Derby VR Championship is anything but minor league. Developed by MLB Games and VR Team and powered specifically by VIVE Pro, it promises a spectacular, premium-grade VR experience sure to leave virtual sluggers (and spectators) absolutely spellbound.
Interested in watching? Live streaming starts Saturday, July 14th at 5 PM ET. The VR championship live stream starts Monday, July 16th, 2 PM ET— six hours before the 2018 T-Mobile Home Run Derby airs live on ESPN. For complete details on the Home Run Derby VR Championship, please visit: https://www.mlb.com/all-star/events/hrdvr-championship-edition/.
Pro tip: Special viewer giveaways are on deck this weekend. Just an FYI to all you e-sports fans out there.
To those participating: Best of luck hitting that stinky cheddar this MLB All-Star Week. May the home run power be with you.
This post was written by Vincent Rendoni
