In a convergence of video game graphics and ESPN television, EA Sports Virtual Playbook launched today and will integrate into ESPN`s Monday Night Countdown, NFL Live shows, and will debut this Sunday, September 7th, on Sunday NFL Countdown. "EA Sports Virtual Playbook is born out of our deep football heritage at EA Sports and our drive to expand the impact of our innovative sports technologies beyond gaming," said Peter "F*** You, Yuji Naka" Moore. And, not to get lazy, but I`ll let the EA press release try and explain what`s going on, in typically-convoluted EA language:
EA Sports Virtual Playbook is created using feeds from in-studio real-world cameras as well as an in-game camera that captures EA Sports in-game graphics depicting real game scenarios. The real-world studio and game images of virtual characters are combined to create the effect of "augmented reality" -- virtual players appearing in the studio alongside real life hosts and analysts. Both real and virtual people are able to move realistically around the studio set to demonstrate plays and scenarios. The system accommodates, and in fact is controlled by, the multiple real-world cameras that are typical in today`s sports analysis television programs.
Essentially, the aforementioned programs will use the EA Sports Virtual Playbook to analyze game matchups, demonstrate offensive and defensive schemes, and highlight mismatches.