26.02.26: REMEMBER 'land football'? Fifa, the game's world governing body, has finally acknowledged virtual reality football
as a sport in its own right.
The decision follows the latest release of Top Score, the VR game from software company K.
Broadcast rights to the game have been snapped up by WorldWeb, which plans to screen a monthly big match from the world VR
football league. It expects a global audience of at least 2 billion.
WW monitors the current rankings of VR teams and their players and then selects the games featuring the most exciting sides for
broadcast.
K's holograph technology allows the players to maintain a speed and style of game impossible to match on a real pitch - and
without any risk of injury, so there will be no opportunity for star players to linger on the treatment table.
Although WW is starting out on a monthly basis - provided the players can stay awake - the number of games that can be played
in a season is practically limitless. And likewise, the earnings potential of the top players is almost infinite.
By switching Top Score into single-player mode, fans can also enjoy the opportunity to relive and play in classic matches, such as
England's 2006 World Cup final triumph over Germany. Today's VR hopefuls will be able to pit their skills against great players of
the past, such as Pelé, Sol Campbell and Sir Matt Busby. AM
