It’s great to play retro sporting video games on your computer or games console – in a lot of cases, you can really get the feel of the game and how it might be to play in real life. It’s the kind of thing that’s become an important pastime for a lot of people, and whether you’re into FIFA, NBA 2K, Madden NFL, or any other sporting simulation game, the thrill of the competition, the strategy, and the skill development will keep you entertained for hours.

But what if we said that your passion for these virtual sports could become real-life adventures? It’s true – you can turn your love of sporting video games into reality, and here are some things to think about if that’s what you want to do.

Start With Active Gaming 
It’s very easy to get lost in the couch potato zone when you’re gaming, and although that can be enjoyable and it’s undoubtedly relaxing, it’s not the best way to turn your virtual gaming into real gaming. If that’s what you want to do, you’ll need to think about active gaming, which is somewhere in the middle of traditional gaming and the real thing; it’s the kind of playing that encourages physical movement. 

To start with, you’ll need to invest in motion-sending gaming platforms like the Nintendo Wii, Kinect for Xbox, or VR systems that offer sports-related games. These platforms mean you have to get off the sofa and physically engage in activities like boxing, tennis, or even skiing. By doing this, you’re not only having fun, but you’re also getting exercise and preparing to take things one step further and play the games in real life. 

Organize Tournaments With Friends 
It can be a bit daunting to take your gaming offline and head out into the real world, especially when you’ve only just started. That’s why a good first move can be to set up fun tournaments with your friends. In that way, there’s a lot less pressure and it’s all friendly; if you make a mistake or you’re not that good (because you’re still learning – you’re not going to be brilliant right away, no matter how great you might be in the virtual realm) it won’t matter at all. 

These fun tournaments, whether it’s a kickabout in someone’s backyard or you go off on a golfing vacation with all the right insurance from SportsCover Direct, will give you the chance to see where your skills lie and learn how to transfer those skills from the virtual world to the real one. Plus you can make some great memories and bond with your friends at the same time, so it’s a win-win. 

Set Realistic Goals 
Just like in video games, setting goals in real life can help you stay motivated and focused on what you want to achieve, which could be anything from improving your basketball shot percentage to running a certain distance in a certain amount of time to mastering a new soccer trick, for example. 

If you can set realistic goals that challenge you and push you to your limits, you’ll be able to track your progress as you go and get much further towards your ultimate goals.