Virtex esports stadium launch with aplomb

Article posted by Coliseum, December 15^th, 2022

Image: Virtex

Software developer Virtex has announced a live virtual esports event ahead of the launch of Virtex Stadium (UK), which is billed as the world’s first virtual esports stadium.

‘ENUK’ stated that Virtex Stadium gives gamers the chance to watch top esports tournaments from anywhere in the world, via virtual reality (VR).

Partnering with publishers and organizers, Virtex Entertainment is working towards providing a virtual stadium experience for all the top esports games. Virtex Entertainment is headquartered in London, UK with fully remote team members in various countries like Finland, Germany, Romania, Turkey, and Spain. Virtex was founded in 2020 and consists of a team of games and tech industry professionals coming from esports teams and major studios like G2 Esports, Riot Games, Ubisoft, ESL, Activision, Sony, and more.

Apply for membership

Virtual reality (VR) is a simulated experience that employs pose tracking and 3D near-eye displays to give the user an immersive feel of a virtual world. Applications of virtual reality include entertainment, education and business.

‘ENUK’ further stated that currently available on closed beta via Oculus PC-VR on compatible VR headsets, Virtex is partnering with the National Esports Professional Association (NEPA) to bring a dedicated Echo VR event to the stadium on December 17^th and 18^th, 2022 which will see some of the best Echo VR esports teams compete against each other.

The event will showcase the full Virtex Stadium experience for the first time, allowing users to watch esports competitions in live 3D with other fans, with the option to jump in and float alongside players as they compete in the Echo VR arena.

Other than Echo VR, Virtex also says it will be bringing “some of the world’s top esports titles to the platform” in 2023, with one in particular to be announced early next year.

Virtex’s 3D experience of being able to view gameplay from the center of the stadium is a world first and forms the foundation of Virtex’s ambition “to become home to the most memorable and unique events in gaming”.

Experiencing moments at the same time is guaranteed by everyone in the stadium receiving the same synced livestream.

Social integration is also another important part of the Virtex Stadium experience, the company says, with fans able to create a full body 3D avatar in their likeness using Ready Player Me tech (a cross-game avatar platform partnered with Virtex).

Once ready, fans are free to enter the lobby and move into the lounge bar and main hall, relaxed hangout spaces ideal for meeting with friends and other fans, and together they can discover some of the games and interactions hidden here.

Virtex has also partnered with Modulate to use voice-native moderation software ToxMod to “ensure any toxic or abusive behavior is identified and dealt with rapidly”.

Virtex Stadium was created by Co-Founders Tim McGuinness and Christoph Ortlepp after meeting at a VR League finals event in 2019, where they realized they shared a vision for redefining the esports fan experience.

Former Team Gravity Echo VR player, Tim McGuinness was casting at the time and after sharing a very early prototype of Virtex Stadium, this convinced tech entrepreneur Christoph Ortlepp of its potential. This eventually led to Virtex being founded in 2020.

The company recently welcomed venture investors Anorak.vc, who were also first investors in Oculus and RecRoom, as well as FOV.ventures, a new games and XR-oriented fund who invested, amongst others, in Ready Player Me. This new funding adds to the seed round which occurred earlier this year.

Remarked Tim Mcguinness, head honcho and Co-Founder of Virtex, “As a fan, even if you’re not playing the game itself you get just as hyped, excited and passionate for the big moments as the players do themselves. We want to bring fans as close to the action as possible and by removing the limitations of 2D screens, the Virtex Stadium has created an experience that blows everything else out of the water. I can tell you personally how high-octane playing Echo VR at the highest level feels and the viewing experience Virtex Stadium provides is the closest you’re going to get.”

Since partnering with Meta and Ready at Dawn (video game development company) in February 2022, beta testing for Echo VR in the Virtex Stadium has been taking place. Virtex says it has seen positive results so far and is ramping up plans and preparing to accommodate more players.

More announcements are expected to be made in 2023.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 250 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue