Pickleball Goes Virtual: Meta Quest’s New Fitness Frontier

Meta Quest is set to launch the multiplayer VR fitness game, Pickleball One, on October 19, developed by Playin Games. This game brings the Pickleball court to players’ homes, allowing them to engage in singles or doubles matches in real time. Raghu Bathina, the CEO of Playin Games, touts Pickleball One as a revolutionary step in virtual sports, capturing the essence of Pickleball both as a game and a social experience. The game, akin to iRacing and Gran Turismo, is not merely about virtual competition but aims to help players enhance their Pickleball skills through digital practice. It incorporates a variety of drills and rhythm-based exercises, alongside tracking players' progress and gamifying the experience through achievements.

As players hone their skills in Pickleball One, they have the opportunity to participate in community tournaments, either solo or with a partner. The competitive aspect is heightened with a leaderboard and the chance to win real-life prizes. Moreover, Pickleball One has been designed keeping in mind the players’ physical safety. It leverages the Passthrough feature of Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro, allowing players to be aware of their surroundings and avoid any accidents while immersed in the game. This feature addresses a common concern associated with VR games, ensuring a safe and enjoyable gaming experience.

Pickleball has witnessed a surge in popularity across the U.S, with over 36.5 million people engaging in the game between August 2021 and August 2022. Pickleball One, priced at $24.99 for the holiday season, aims to ride this wave of popularity and provide both gamers and Pickleball aficionados a platform to enjoy and improve at the game. Compatible with Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest 2, and Meta Quest Pro, this game is not just about bringing a virtual Pickleball court home, but about creating a comprehensive, engaging, and safe virtual sports experience.