MLB's Virtual Ballpark Returns, With Interoperability

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MLB’s Virtual Ballpark ⚾️

In the Summer of 2023, MLB debuted its Virtual Ballpark — a browser-based metaverse campaign built by technology partners Improbable. It managed to incorporate MLB’s other Web3 partners like Candy Digital and Sorare, allowing baseball fans to win Sorare cards while in the virtual world and claim Candy Digital commemorative tickets. Visitors were also able to customise their avatars with their favourite team’s jersey and participate in trivia games.

The event featured a live stream on the ballpark’s video board, exclusive celebrity interviews, and the opportunity to participate in mini-games linked to real-time events at T-Mobile Park in Seattle — creating a new realm of sponsorship inventory for MLB.

One of the unique things about the way the Virtual Ballpark is set up is that it is concurrent for up to tens of thousands of fans - rather than siloed in a server-based setup - meaning that it recreates a real-life environment in the way that fans are used to.

Interoperability Event - September 2024 🌐 

The Virtual Ballpark came back in September 2024, and during the Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays game - displayed the novel capability that many preach to be the holy grail in this space; interoperability. Bored Ape Yacht Club avatars were able to enter the Virtual Ballpark for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays vs. Detroit Tigers game, alongside baseball fans, to watch the players on the field recreated in this digital environment.

This may seem like something unimportant, but interoperability cross-chain is incredibly difficult - and this is the first example involving a rights holder of any kind.

The results:

• ~10,000 unique public users users joined the MLB Virtual Ballpark in-game events

• 1,570 unique public users stayed in the MLB events for over 30 minutes

• Over 800 of those unique public users stayed for over 60 minutes

The numbers may seem modest - but for where this technology is - it seems like a pretty good turnout for all involved.

Analysis & Concluding Thoughts 🧠

Why is this interoperability event a big deal?

Because that buzzword - ‘interoperability’ - is fantastic in theory, but incredibly hard in practice.

This is due to three key reasons:

1) Technology
2) Visuals
3) Commercials & IP Management

Let’s break these down one at a time.