Major League Baseball’s virtual ballpark is back, offering a metaverse experience for traditional devices where you can watch actual games recreated in a 3D environment in real time. MLB will host interactive watch parties for select games each Wednesday in September, complete with 3D avatars corresponding to player movements tracked by Sony Hawk-Eye cameras. While it sounds perfect for VR headsets like Vision Pro and Meta Quest, it’s currently limited to traditional screens. The experience also includes spatial audio for play-by-play, game sounds, and chatting with other fans, as well as a party system for talking directly with friends and a virtual scavenger hunt for extra engagement. The tech was created by Improbable, a London-based metaverse company, and the virtual ballpark debuted during the 2023 season. The upcoming virtual lineup includes games between the Rays and Twins, Reds and Cardinals, Giants and Orioles, and Rays and Tigers throughout September. This free experience can be accessed on any modern device with a web browser through MLB’s virtual ballpark website, where users must create or log into an MLB account to join the fun.
