Age, preparation, or experience do not matter. From today it is possible to crew an AC40 and compete as a sailor at the highest level. The America's Cup has launched AC Sailing, the video game that allows you to enjoy F1 of the sea in first person. The game is presented this afternoon in Barcelona and the first virtual regatta can be followed on the official Twitch channel starting at 6:20 p.m.
AC Sailing has been developed from the simulators that sailors use to train and improve their tactics. The video game recreates the colors of the teams that will face each other in the next edition of the America's Cup and also the iconic stages of the regatta. With the Barcelona skyline as a background, the game marks a before and after for sailing in eSports.
Grant Dalton, CEO of America's Cup Event, will be in charge of presenting AC Sailing today, together with the team that developed the video game, with Dan Bernasconi, technical director of Emirates Team New Zealand, at the helm. Then, professional eSport players and some of the sailors will be the stars of the first online regattas.
The game is the culmination of more than ten years of research and development by Emirates Team New Zealand, current defender of the America's Cup, after retaining the cup in the last two editions. AC Sailing's mechanics have been designed to mimic water and wind conditions to test participants' skills, and the game includes a comprehensive tutorial.
Players will be able to improve their level as a virtual sailor until they can qualify for the America's Cup E-Series, a new access route to the oldest nautical competition in which players from all over the world can participate.
The E-Series will consist of online qualifiers and a grand final that will take place in Barcelona in September, on dates yet to be confirmed. Powered by AC Sailing as an official video game, the first season of the America's Cup E-series will be open to all players. The final phase will be broadcast live on Twitch for everyone.
The process of creating the official video game of the America's Cup has had the support of ACCIÓ, the Agency for Business Competitiveness of the Generalitat of Catalonia, which has facilitated the participation of a Catalan studio.
