NFL, NFLPA and StatusPRO Announce New NFL PRO ERA II VR Game

The National Football League (NFL), the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) and StatusPRO, a sports technology and gaming company that uses real-time player data to create authentic extended reality experiences, have announced NFL PRO ERA II, the successor to NFL PRO ERA, which was the first NFL and NFLPA-licensed virtual reality (VR) simulation game. This latest release includes new and improved features,­ the standout being additional multiplayer gameplay so players can interact and compete across the world.

Launching on Sept. 28, NFL PRO ERA II will provide fans with the chance to be a part of the game themselves. Gamers will have the opportunity to compete as the quarterback of their favorite NFL team and play against other gamers, no matter where they’re located. Baltimore Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson, returns as the cover athlete for NFL PRO ERA II, taking part in the brand’s forthcoming gameplay trailer which gives fans a sneak peek of what they can expect with the new release.

“To date, VR has been perceived to be a very individualized experience,” says Troy Jones, co-founder, chief executive officer, StatusPRO. “NFL PRO ERA II will reduce this friction by embodying what sports is all about: competition. The new and improved version of the game allows players to become the quarterback of their favorite team and go head-to-head against their friends and other competitors. Competition brings out the emotional and physical rush of being an athlete, and we are excited to bring this feeling to NFL PRO ERA II.”

Related:Guy Fieri, Homage Create T-Shirts Celebrating Local Flavors of NFL Teams

“NFL PRO ERA II represents another opportunity for us to bring our game closer to fans through the ultimate experience of playing as an NFL quarterback,” says Ed Kiang, vice president, video gaming, NFL. “Collaborating with StatusPRO on this rapidly growing franchise showcases our commitment to offering best-in-class, immersive gameplay and technology to bring fans and gamers closer to the action than was ever possible before.”

“There is simply no substitute for integrating the insights and experiences of real players, like Lamar Jackson, Justin Fields, Patrick Mahomes and Brock Purdy, into the game,” says Terése Whitehead, vice president, consumer products and strategy, NFL Players, marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA. “This approach not only brings an unparalleled authenticity but also allows fans to get intimately connected to the action, delivering an incredibly genuine football experience.”

StatusPRO’s NFL PRO ERA was the fastest-selling VR sports title ever on the Meta Quest platform, and player engagement spiked as players spent 2.5x longer in headsets compared to the VR industry average.

“I’ve played sports games my entire life and feel like there is a huge opportunity for innovation in the sports gaming space,” says Andrew Hawkins, co-founder, president, StatusPRO. “With NFL PRO ERA II, we’ve continued to define a new category in sports gaming by allowing users to feel like they are truly playing NFL football through our immersive first-person experience. It’s important to us to continue the momentum and maintain our position as the industry leaders and disruptors in VR. We will continue to improve our products and introduce new titles in the future that continue to resonate with our consumers.”

NFL PRO ERA II will be available beginning Sept. 28 on the Meta Quest Store and Steam platforms. A launch on the Official PlayStation Store platform will be announced at a later date.

The NFLPA ranked at No. 24 in License Global’s annual report, The Top Global Licensors.