Last month Squash joined the cybersports game market with Racket: Nx, a new virtual reality racket game developed by One Hamsa, with the backing of the World Squash Federation and the Virtual Sports Association.
Racket NX (credit: Mixed News)
The game will allow budding Squash players to play a futuristic game of Squash using a virtual racket against the walls of a 360-degree arena.
This latest innovation for Squash illustrates how the sport is working towards improving accessibility of the sport via a digital platform.
What makes this game even more interesting is that it could see Squash become a part of the eSports Olympics – something is that going help the sport more towards that inclusion of the real Olympic Games.
Growth in the Virtual sports market
The virtual sports market is a rapidly growing industry that involves the use of technology to create simulated sporting events that can be enjoyed by fans around the world.
Virtual sports are essentially computer-generated versions of traditional sports, and they are designed to mimic the look and feel of real-world athletic events.
What has driven the demand for virtual sports is a number of factors, including the growing popularity of esports, the rise of mobile gaming, and the increasing demand for on-demand entertainment.
Squash 3D Game
Some of the most popular virtual sports include football, basketball, horse racing, and motor racing. These games are often designed to be visually stunning, with high-quality graphics and sound effects that immerse players in the action.
Squash Kings VR Game
Now that Squash is joining the virtual sports market, with the backing of the World Squash Federation, the market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, with many analysts predicting that it will become a billion-dollar industry in the near future. As technology continues to advance, it is likely that virtual sports will become even more immersive and realistic, providing fans with an even more engaging experience.
So how will Squash fair in the virtual sports market?
While virtual Squash still is in its infancy and it may take time to have the same level of popularity as some other virtual sports like e-sports Formula One or virtual football, it is expected to grow in popularity and could make the sport even more popular.
There are now several companies and platforms that offer virtual squash games, the most notable is InteractiveSquash; which highlights that the sport is going to be more popular than ever.
Photo credit: InteractiveSQUASH
Nevertheless, as we all know Squash is gradually getting popular again, and has a dedicated following of players and fans around the world.
The introduction of virtual Squash is going to help continue the growing interest in virtual sports and is going to prove beneficial to the sport, in terms of being current.
Elites new training resource
Some elite professional squash players have even started competing in virtual tournaments.
One advantage of virtual squash is that it can be played anytime, anywhere, without the need for a physical squash court or other equipment. This makes it more accessible to people who may not have easy access to a squash court or who may not have the time or resources to play in person.
The one thing that is going to prove important for Racket: Nx is making sure other countries have a chance to experience the sport, especially those in emerging markets – using virtual Squash as a tool to encourage school kids to play a game virtually.
Squash becoming more popular than ever
While virtual squash is still a relatively new and niche market, it has the potential to grow in popularity and become an important part of the virtual sports landscape in the coming years.
As a sport, we reckon there’s going to be more interest and it will cascade into actually increased participation in real-time, so much there could be a demand to build more provisions to keep up with the demand.
Either way, the tie-up with the governing body and a major gaming partner is going to prove beneficial, especially when changing the perceptions of Squash.
Furthermore, the accessibility of Squash for everyone is going to be a lot better than before plus potentially will increase the marketability of the sport too.
In conclusion, virtual Squash is going to be another added credential to increase the chances for the sport to get inclusion in the Olympics Games.
The overall opinions of Squash are going to change as a result of this latest digital innovation in ways that most people will want to take up the sport.
