LALIGA fans were delighted by the return of Spanish football on Thursday night – even if the CGI fans left plenty to be desired.
The broadcast of Sevilla vs Real Betis was accompanied by a virtual crowd noise feature as well as an overlay of computer generated fans on the bottom-tier of the empty Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
And there were mixed reviews from viewers commenting online.
The virtual crowd noise introduced for games being played behind closed doors went down well, with understated chants and reactions to near misses providing a gentle background hum.
Yet there was a sense that the CGI fans, produced by game developer EA Sports and graphics company VIZRT, were a bit out of date.
One Twitter user posted a screenshot of the game with the caption: “How gorgeous the Wii Sports remake looks.”
Valtteri commented: “Maybe the fake noises are well done and accurate to how that stadium would react to different events.
“If you try to ignore fake audience mesh from Fifa 2008 on the empty seats.”
Jon added: “So uh, the ‘digital fans’ in the LaLiga broadcast are really awful, huh?”
Another fan wrote online: “Very sorry LaLiga but the CGI stand in the Pizjuan looks pathetic.
“Better to see the harsh reality of post-Covid football with empty seats. In the NBA, Premier League, etc. will they use the same effects???”
And Dom surmised: “Very happy LaLiga is back tonight, starting with El Gran Derbi! Even though the ‘fans’ are a bit suspect, whoever has sorted out the sound is bob on!”
Sevilla and Betis held a minute’s silence to honour the victims of coronavirus ahead of the derby clash.
Cooling breaks were also a regular feature with the game kicking off at 10pm local time to help players cope with playing in the Spanish summer.
Sevilla eventually beat their local rivals 2-0, Lucas Ocampos scoring from the penalty spot and Fernando adding a second six minutes later.
