NFL VR Game Takes New Version to Another Level
By Movieguide® Contributor
StatusPro’s VR game “NFL Pro Era” will have some impressive live services added in next year’s edition.
“An immersive, first-person simulation that gives users a professional football player’s perspective through VR technology, the new version of ‘NFL Pro Era’ will add the position of linebacker to gameplay, allowing players to rush the quarterback, record sacks, make tackles and nab interceptions,” Variety reported Aug. 28.
“Pricing for ‘NFL Pro Era 2025’ will be $19.99 for users who own either of the game’s first two versions and $39.99 for new players, an increase from the $14.99 price point for the most recent edition of the game,” Variety said. “No specific release date has been set for the title, but StatusPro confirms ‘NFL Pro Era 2025’ will be available on Meta Quest during the 2024 NFL season this fall.”
The new update will feature defense single-player mode, cosmetics, updated rosters and team t-shirts. In late winter, users will see an updated multiplayer experience with offensive vs. defensive head-to-head matchups.
StatusPro chief product officer Victor Lugo told Meta, “The goal is to get everyone together who’s played either version of the game and reintroduce them to the best version of our game as well as the new users. This is the definitive version of NFL PRO ERA going forward. The goal is to bring everyone together.”
“Whether you’re a person who loves simulation gameplay, team storytelling, and the depth that we have, FreePlay, or even sandbox players — we bring all that through with first person sports on the field. Everyone can look forward to something new,” he said.
With the new launch, current Pro Era gamers will get an update with more customizations and complete access to all free play modes and mini-games.
“Additional content packs priced at $4.99 will be available throughout the season,” Variety said.
“Per StatusPro, ‘NFL Pro Era 2025’ will elevate gameplay with ‘smarter AI teammates and opponents, a whole new way to play with defense and the opportunity for users to personalize and immerse themselves through new customizations such as custom gear, stadiums, and hairstyles,’ as well as ‘improved play styles of teams and players that are closely aligned with current-day formations,'” Variety said.
The game company promises the new version will be fast and user-friendly.
“By removing the sideline experience and adding a new user interface and wristband controls, users can experience smoother gameplay and more intuitive controls,” Status Pro said. “Additional features of the game include real-time feedback from your teammates as they react and respond to you and your quarterback leadership on and off the field along with more intensity and audio based on different game scenarios.”
“We want to provide our loyal fans and gamers with something new and revolutionary in our next version of ‘NFL Pro Era.’ By adding defense to the game, we aim to bring something unique to the VR gaming world,” Lugo said. “It was important for users to feel like real leaders of their team on both sides of the ball. Being one of the first VR games to have a realistic defensive experience, we made sure that fans have the true feeling of being the defensive anchor when they are on the field.”
Cover stars for the new version are Offensive Rookie year C.J. Stroud and two-time First-Team All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons.
Stroud said, “It’s an honor to be one of the featured athletes of an incredible game that mirrors playing quarterback in real life. I love what the team is doing at StatusPro and once we started conversing I knew I wanted to be involved with ‘NFL Pro Era’ and the vision they have to be the best VR game.”
“I am a huge gamer, especially VR games and football, so being a cover athlete and playing a key role in ‘NFL Pro Era’ is an awesome experience,” Parsons said. “Once I talked with the StatusPro team and they wanted to add defense to the new version of the game, I knew I wanted to work with them and was thrilled when they wanted me as a feature athlete.”
StatusPro is founded by football players Troy Jones and Andrew Hawkins. The company achieved $20 million in funding and was penned into the Disney accelerator program.
“This growth underscores the company’s commitment to advancing VR sports gaming,” Fox 26 Houston observed.
Movieguide® recently reported on another kind of VR game:
While immoral content and anti-biblical themes saturate the video game market, Virtuous VR Gaming wants to ’tilt the scales’ towards family-friendly entertainment.
The company released its first VR game, “DvG: Conquering Giants,” which draws from David and Goliath’s biblical story, offering wholesome, biblical content for gamers.
“In ‘DvG,’ gamers will be transported back in time as they embark on a brand-new and fully interactive adventure as they play the part of David, the young shepherd boy tasked with protecting his sheep, family and country from the dangers of the outside world.” the game’s synopsis reads.
