Barcelona super-fans train with stars including Philippe Coutinho and Andres Iniesta… but have absolutely no idea thanks to ‘virtual reality’ stunt
Clueless fans were blissfully unaware of the fact they were enjoying a kickabout with their heroes, thinking it was just ultra-lifelike computer-generated imagery, thanks to Betfair set-up
BARCELONA super-fans were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to train with stars including Philippe Coutinho and Andres Iniesta.
But thanks to an elaborate "virtual reality" stunt, set-up by Betfair, the clueless supporters had absolutely no idea.
The supporters were then told they would be playing against virtual versions of Barcelona’s superstars when testing the Virtual Training Ground VR headsets.
But in the reality, they were playing against the Barca superstars in the flesh, without even realising it.
The fans were coached through the experience by a "sports scientist", part of the Barcelona coaching team, who was on hand to convince the fans of the ruse.
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Meanwhile body doubles for the players stepped in, as a team of experts pretended to projection-map the players onto their bodies.
When the fans were not wearing the headset, they saw the motion-capture body doubles.
But when they were wearing it, they saw the professional footballing superstars, but were so convinced of the new technology they believed what they were seeing were incredibly life-like virtual versions of their heroes.
When the trick was finally revealed to the unsuspecting fans they were gobsmacked and couldn’t believe what they were really seeing, the Barcelona superstars in the very flesh.
One lucky fan said: “I couldn’t believe it, mind-blowing! I never thought I’d get to meet the players, never mind get to practice my passing with them.”
Stephen Mault, Betfair marketing director said “At Betfair we are always looking for for the next innovation.
"Virtual Reality has been at the forefront of our mind, although it’s a little while away, we wanted to demonstrate what football could look like in the future, with the help of three lucky fans and the players.
"We always like to give back to the Barcelona fans and it was amazing to see the reactions when they took off their headsets to see the real players right before their eyes.”