Image via mavs.com
The Dallas Mavericks season is over, but Mavs basketball will still be played this summer. After netting a partnership with Mineplex, one of the largest Minecraft servers, the Mavs will be going digital – or should I say, pixilated.
“Dallas Mavericks World” is scheduled to launch later this summer. Finally, video gamers and sports fans have something in common. So push up those glasses, and roll your up collared shirt sleeves because “Mavs World” is the beginning – you may not need your pickaxe though.
The Mavs Mineplex world will give users the ability to navigate the re-created, life-sized American Airlines Center, as well as engaging in multiple games, activities and competitions throughout the world. Players will be able to “compete in fun free-building competitions and play a basketball mini-game on the court of the virtual American Airlines Center,” according to a press release from the Mavericks organization. Those players who are not interested in participating can virtually tour the Airlines Center and spectate the events.
The Mavs are the first NBA team to seal a partnership with Mineplex. Now I know what you are thinking, there has to be a price tag attached … right? According to the organization, “Mavs World” will be completely cost-free. I can already hear a “herd” of users rumbling to their computers.
Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, sees the light at the end of the tunnel with the Mavs’ Mineplex partnership. “The Dallas Mavericks have always been big supporters of education in our community,” said Cuban, “but now we can truly be a part of it on a global scale. Minecraft is not just a game, it’s a way for kids (and adults) to build, explore and learn the fundamentals of computer science.”
Cuban is no stranger to the technology world. During his career, he has created a computer consulting business, MicroSolutions, which he sold to CompuServe for millions, as well as launching a high-definition television network, HDNet. Along with other technological developments, Cuban is also a “shark” investor on the hit show, Shark Tank.
As of late, Cuban has been taking a bite out the technology world and implementing his knowledge into the Mavericks organization. In 2014, Cuban revamped the team’s website by making it more fan focused, visually appealing and easy to navigate. During that year, Cuban also partnered the Mavs with Replay Technology, a company which alters the way fans experience broadcasts with “FreeD” video
When the New Year began in 2015, the Mavericks partnered with Tixsee, a technology company specializing in “the development of screen-based products and immersive virtual environment technologies” that brought a 360 degree panoramic virtual tour of stadium seating to the Mavericks, American Airline Center
More technological advancements talk began in April 2016, when Cuban started working with graduate students from Texas A&M on establishing a state-of-the-art practice facility which would also be open to the public. The facility would act as the Mavericks franchise headquarters, and home to multiple sport technology startups.
The Dallas Mavericks organization is certainly at the forefront of the NBA’s technological movement.
