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The Hundred and Sky have joined forces to develop a “first augmented reality experience in the industry” ahead of this week’s first games in the new competition.
The coverage will use motion-capture avatars, recreating the full range of each player’s moves with precise detail, which will be used to enhance Sky’s broadcast coverage and home fan experience using The Hundred app.
The avatar technology, found in The Hundred app, will also be used as a world premiere in Sky Sports broadcasts from July 21 during the inaugural game of Oval Invincibles V Manchester Originals. The technology will also be available to fans via Sky Sports ’digital platforms.
The avatars have been created using “MetaStar”, Dimension Studio’s hyperreal avatar solution and the virtual reality experience created by the creative agency Arcade, an immersive experience, with the aim of bringing fans closer to players. than ever before.
The Hundred says the measure is part of its ambition to put digital innovation “at the center of the event experience,” as it seeks to attract a wider audience to cricket.
“Through our partnership with Sky, the creation of our hyper-real avatars will bring fans and players together at an unprecedented level,” said Alison Crowe, the ECB’s director of data and data.
“Imagine having a virtual Heather Knight, Saqib Mahmood or Ben Stokes show off your skills at home, it’s incredibly exciting. We can not wait for fans to try it through the application The Hundred, where they can also vote the hero of the game in each game, vote for the music that a player will come out and test their knowledge with fun curiosities: there are some something for the whole family to get involved in ”.
Bryan Henderson, sporting director of Sky Cricket, added: “We are very excited to introduce this amazing technology to our viewers. We’ve worked in collaboration with The Hundred on a first fan approach that we believe will open the game to new audiences.
“The Cent will have a personalized look on TV and avatars are a key part of what will make our coverage so dynamic. We’ve worked hard on every aspect of our presentation to make sure we have something for everyone, and I have every confidence that avatars will become one of the most popular aspects of our storytelling. “
The opening match, between Oval Invincibles and Manchester Originals, will be a women’s match in a UK Premier League and will take place on Wednesday 21 July.