The NBA is ready to return to the 2019-2020 season, but not for the return of crowds. Instead of unleashing the mayhem that would be audiences, NBA is turning to NBA 2K20 to keep its players hyped. Even though fans are excited to see the return of sports, many are questioning how a digital crowd will change the experience.
In an unprecedented move, the NBA is looking to open back up with 22 competing teams. The event will be hosted in Orlando, Florida and the teams will be hosted in Disney's World's hotel. As players compete, crowd noises from NBA 2K20 will potentially be piped in for every variation of play. Who will determine the crowd's reactions have yet to be seen, but there is potential that this could make live games incredibly awkward.
The NBA isn't the only league considering this video game audience option. The soccer league in Spain is currently also considering taking crowd reactions from the popular FIFA video games. It all seems like a lot of work for something that may come off as hollow.
In 2018 a company called NEXT VR released its app on Oculus Go where fans could watch live NBA games from virtual courtside seats. Although the visual quality showed the screen-door effect, the excitement of being courtside was invigorating. Through virtual reality, players had the opportunity to watch alongside other avatars or watch the game in private. It almost seems like piping in reactions from the live audience might be better than the hollow digital reactions, but the final decision still remains to be seen.
Cast members of Saturday Night Live phoned in a few of their friends on Zoom calls to have live reactions to their Weekend Update desk bits. The effect was way better than allowing jokes to fall on complete silence or nervous laughs from the cast. The same could live reaction argued for the amazing feats the NBA is about to broadcast.
In terms of players getting back to work, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has only the players' health and safety on his mind.
While the COVID-19 pandemic presents formidable challenges, we are hopeful of finishing the season in a safe and responsible manner based on strict protocols now being finalized with public health officials and medical experts.
In the meantime, players will be tested every day for symptoms of COVID-19. Should anyone show the slightest signs or symptoms, they will have to isolate for at least a week.
NBA 2K20 is available now to play on PC, PS4, Stadia, Switch, and Xbox One.