The NHL has taken the next step in immersive fan experience, as the league recently launched NHL Blast on Roblox.
"As the world gathers to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs - the best postseason in sports - we're thrilled to launch NHL Blast on Roblox and continue celebrating and connecting with fans in new and innovative ways," said David Lehanski, NHL executive vice president of business development and innovation, in the NHL's press release.
"Roblox is a hypersocial platform and fits seamlessly with the NHL's commitment to grow the game by introducing new audiences around the globe to hockey in a unique and captivating way."
NHL Blast is now on @Roblox!
— NHL (@NHL) April 27, 2023
Lead your team to victory in this whimsical, fast-paced spin on hockey
Check out this new immersive world: https://t.co/iXqK2cTLE8 pic.twitter.com/VQKmrlhKX8
NHL Blast is an online user experience that "will allow hockey fans and the Roblox community to hang out and play in a new online space that features many elements of NHL fandom," according to Lehanski.
Similarly to the "Big City Greens Classic" that took place earlier in the year, NHL Blast is a chance for the league to connect to younger fans.
NHL PLAYOFFS: FULL BRACKET | PREDICTIONS | POWER RANKINGS
The Sporting News has fans covered on the details of NHL Blast on Roblox.
What is NHL Blast?
NHL Blast is an online fan experience with the purpose of connecting users together and introducing new audiences to the sport of hockey.
Teams of five will be able to play hockey in "fantastical, obstacle-filled environments," competing in various contests with skating and shooting mechanisms that replicate real NHLers.
Fans have the option to wear any NHL team jersey and add their Roblox username and a custom number. Through a partnership with Upper Deck, users can take photos of their digital avatars posing as the pros do for trading cards.
There will also be 3-D goal recreations of goals and highlights from the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. This uses the league's NHL EDGE puck and player tracking technology, the very same used for the "Big City Greens Classic" earlier in the season.
The program was built by The Gang, a metaverse development studio. It is available on both computers and mobile devices.
What is Roblox?
Roblox is an online multiplayer video game and game creation system. The program allows users to design and play their own games while having the option to compete in a wide variety of games created by other users.
The platform allows users to socialize together, build their own spaces and spend virtual money.
Is Roblox free?
It is free to sign up and create an account on Roblox. Many of the online games, including NHL Blast, are free for users to play.
However, there are options for users to make purchases within the experience.
