The X Games has agreed a partnership with Korean consumer electronics company Samsung that will result in the action sports competition being presented in virtual reality for the first time.
The X Games, which is operated by US sports broadcaster ESPN, will bring selected live events to fans in VR as it stages its first edition at the new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis from July 13-16.
Three X Games disciplines – Skateboard Vert, BMX Street and Skateboard Street Amateurs – will be streamed live exclusively to 48 countries on Samsung Gear VR through the Samsung VR app.
The three featured X Games events will be shot on 360-degree camera systems to create a fully produced, multi-camera live stream that includes real-time graphics, X Games talent and feature segments integrated into Samsung VR. ESPN and Samsung are working with VR production company Digital Domain on the project.
The BMX Street and Skateboard Vert events will also be produced in 2D for ESPN’s global television feed and its international syndication partners, as well as for highlights on US network ABC.