Pickleball Enters the
Video Game Arena
PPA PICKLEBALL TOUR 2025 VIDEO GAME DEBUTS . by DREW WATHEY
Move over Minecraft , Call of Duty and Fortnite , there ’ s a new video game in town . And , while PPA Pickleball Tour 2025 may not initially attract enough gamers to threaten the stranglehold other games have on the market , it is yet again another highlight in the continual evolution of the sport of pickleball .
Developed by the Carvana PPA Tour in conjunction with FarSight Studios , an industry leader in the development and publishing of video games , PPA Pickleball Tour 2025 is the only officially licensed pickleball game available and the first to feature the world ’ s best players in real PPA Tour venues .
Ideal for pickleball enthusiasts of all skill levels , the game is available for Xbox , PlayStation ( PS4 and PS5 ) and Steam for under $ 50 . It will also be launching on Nintendo Switch soon .
“ Pickleball has truly gone mainstream , as players of all ages and skills are taking up the game , enjoying time with friends and getting some great exercise ,” says Parker Roberts , VP of revenue for the PPA . “ The launch of PPA Pickleball Tour 2025 represents the latest step in the game ’ s explosive growth and will help bring the sport to millions of new players .”
FarSight Studios , whose portfolio includes work on sports games such as NCAA Football for EA , Backyard Baseball , Backyard Football and PBA Pro Bowling among others , first approached the Carvana PPA Tour nearly three years ago .
“ This project has been in the making since November 2021 . FarSight approached the PPA with interest in developing the world ’ s first professional pickleball game and pitched the idea at the 2021 PPA Masters tournament in Palm Springs ,” says Roberts . “ We ’ re grateful to partner with FarSight and their over 30 years of experience in game development .”
Features of the game will include playing with more than 16 of the world ’ s best players , including the # 1 ranked men ’ s player , Ben Johns , and the top-ranked women ’ s player , Anna Leigh Waters . Gamers can also create their own character and play in “ Career Mode ” or “ Quick Play ” and will experience motion-captured player movement for every pro in the game .
“ Motion-capturing every pro in the game allows us to use an in-game animation that matches the true movement from each pro . This is true for everything from serving to dinking to forehand to backhand drive shots and more special shots like overhead smashes , firefight volleys , and Ernes ,” says Robert King , VP of product development , FarSight Studios .
Ball direction is controlled by the person playing the game when it comes to computer player shot-making . For users , you aim the shot as your character is swinging the paddle . When it comes to aiming and shot direction , the game factors in skills , basic pickleball strategy , player tendencies and aggressiveness . Players can then choose between normal drives and aggressive drives that will hit the ball at more extreme angles and closer to the out-ofbounds lines .
“ Accurate skill ratings for the pros along with player tendencies and aggressiveness factors really add to the dynamic of playing different players and doubles teams when you face them in Career Mode as you make your way through the bracket trying to win a tournament ,” says King .
Additional game amenities include creating your own character and player by designing your player ’ s look , style , and abilities to reflect your own unique personality and playing style . And , while you ’ re building your authentic look , augment it with current fashions from real-world pickleball brands and equipment .
“ Creating a game that appeals to real pickleball players and simulates the essence of the sport without intimidating potential customers was something always on our mind in designing the game ,” explains King . “ For
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