Video Game Technology Used as Football Teaching Tools

Video games have come a long way over the past 25 years, especially in the genre of football. In 1989, Tecmo introduced a game for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) that would change football gaming forever. Known simply as Tecmo Bowl the game featured a fast-paced game play and also incorporated a mini-playbook for gamers. Before each snap, a player would choose between two offensive running plays and two passing plays. There were no defensive plays. Instead, defensive players would select an offensive play to guard against, resulting in an all-out blitz if the guess was correct.

Today, the evolution of football video games has reached new heights. Developers such as EA Sports annual produce a college football and NFL game, each of which simulate life-like conditions. In addition to better graphics, the games utilize complete playbooks on both sides of the ball, the ability to read coverages and make audibles. Perhaps most impressive is the development of the games' artificial intelligence, which attempts to react to your own movements and decisions. The games have become so lifelike, that similar technology is being implemented in football programs across the country, including major college football programs.

XOS Digital has created a football simulator using the graphics produced by EA Sports. The software is specifically catered to each football program, including a unique playbook. Instead of treating the simulator as a game, it is used a teaching tool by players. Prior to XOS Digital's simulator, players used to spend hours studying 2-D diagrams in paper notebooks. Now, using the evolution of technology that was originally designed for video games, players can study those same diagrams in a 3-D environment, but also simulated different coverages, assignments and formations. In essence, the video game format used in these football simulators is something that most players are already familiar with, thus making the transition easy and comfortable. The added enhancements that the visual simulation can provide, not only make the simulator more realistic, but also more educational as well.

In addition to providing players with educational resources for their playbook, the software also incorporates a recruiting and scouting application for coaches and administrators. In the package, coaches or scouts can upload game video, statistics and photos into a multimedia database for each player. The profile stores the information, but also analyzes the data input to provide coaches with statistical trends and player development tools.

XOS Digital Playaction Simulator Playaction Simulator, XOS Digital