The popularity of virtual sports has been rising for a number of years as technology has improved and simulations have gotten better. With the current situation around the world and live sporting events being banned in most places virtual sports are set to explode as people seek alternatives to live sporting events.
What are Virtual Sports?
Wikipedia states that virtual sports are electronic games that generate visual feedback on a display device. That is a simple sounding explanation for something that is actually very complex. Virtual sports use complex algorithms which take players statistics and abilities and combine them with motion capture technology to produce incredible 3D graphics and simulations. These simulations have become so good that it can be hard to distinguish between a virtual game and a live event.
Virtual sports use Random Number Generators to determine outcomes in a game, match or race. This is the same way outcomes are determined on slots at King Billy casino which has some of the best casino slot games online. In slots the Random Number Generator determines which symbols will come up on a spin. In virtual sports a player’s statistics and abilities are factored in with the random likelihood of a certain event occurring as calculated with extremely complex algorithms. These algorithms don’t just determine who wins or loses a game, they determine different aspects of the game such as completing a pass or scoring a goal.
The Difference between Virtual Sports and eSports
Some would say that virtual sports are just esports games but this is not exactly so. In esports a person controls a virtual character and can influence the outcome of an event based on how well they play the particular game. They are competing against other individuals in control of their own virtual character. In virtual sports the whole event is computer generated and the outcome is entirely determined by the computer algorithms. While virtual sports and esports both make use of computer software the outcomes of esports matches are determined by humans. With virtual sports there is no human input and outcomes are determined by computer software.
The Mechanics of Virtual Sports
The first virtual sport game dates back to 1961. An engineer named John Burgeson inputted the player statistics for two baseball teams and used random number generation to determine the game’s result. This even included a play-by-play description of the game. The theory behind today’s virtual sports is much the same except the calculations involved are obviously much more involved. As an example a player in a virtual basketball game attempts a 3 point shot while an opposing player attempts to block. The algorithm will take the players stats for completing 3 pointers as well as the opposing players stats for blocking shots with the probability of each player being successful weighted based on their ability. Random number generation factors in unpredictability to determine the final outcome of the shot. To take this example one step further if the shot is missed several players will be competing for the rebound. Again abilities of players competing for the rebounded ball are weighed and a random factor is introduced to see who ends up with the ball and so on. Although visually virtual games simulate real games the outcome of virtual games is more akin to the outcome of slots than a real sports game.
Where and Why Virtual Sports?
Virtual sports are most often found on online sports books and betting sites. Initially these games were more of a novelty item but quickly gained popularity for a number of different reasons. Most virtual sporting events occur over a short time span of only 1 to 2 minutes. Allowing for a betting period of 1 to 2 minutes then the entire cycle usually averages around 3 minutes. Both bookmakers and bettors like this quick turnaround. Many times a bettor will be likely to wager on several virtual sports matches while waiting for the results of a live game. Another thing that favors virtual sports is that they can be played 24 hours a day. Matches are not cancelled or delayed and top players aren’t missing games due injuries or suspensions.
Odds on Virtual Sports
Just as in real life sports, virtual sports matches/games/races have a favorite and an underdog which affect betting odds. When wagering on real sports a bettor is essentially pitting their knowledge of the sport and the participants in a match against that of the bookmaker. Virtual sports betting odds are actually determined by the software being used making it more similar to slots and other computer generated casino games. Having in-depth knowledge of the sport doesn’t provide an advantage to bettors.
Virtual Sports to Wager On
There are a number of different virtual sports you can wager on depending on the particular betting website you choose. The following are some of the more popular virtual sports being offered:
- Virtual Horse Racing
- Virtual Dog Racing
- Virtual Soccer
- Virtual Tennis
- Virtual Basketball
- Virtual Motorsports
- Virtual Cycling
The above are just some of the virtual sports being offered on betting sites. If there is a big enough demand almost any sport can be made into a virtual sport.
Are Virtual Sports Fair
The virtual sports in licensed and regulated online casinos are undoubtedly fair. Reputable online casinos are regularly audited by independent third-party companies that check the virtual sports software that is being used to ensure it is both safe and fair and that the outcome of events is random. Virtual sports are subject to the same rules and regulations as other casino games. As long as you are playing at a reputable online casino then the virtual sports are fair.
The Future of Virtual Sports
Many online betting sites have added virtual sports to their catalog over the past few years. Advancing technology will continue to allow providers to improve on the products they offer. Restrictions on live sporting events are only going to accelerate the growth of virtual sports. For the foreseeable future the demand for virtual sports is expected to increase.
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