# Getting Started

Due to the fast bet cycles of Sim-Play sports, Sports API endpoint for getting schedules for a specific date (or methods `getCompetitionsFor` on `SportsInfoManager` interface in Java and `GetSportEventsByDateAsync` on `SportDataProvider` interface in .NET) do not include Sim-Play  matches. For Sim-Play, the focus is on fixture information sent per match.

## Fixture Change Messages

To inform you about the upcoming matches, Sim-Play producers are sending fixture change messages for each match upon its start.

### Outline

1. Fixture change messages are sent per match.
2. Static Tournament ID: The tournament ID remains constant.
3. Seasons Information: Included to meet UOF structure requirements but not useful\
   information for match handling for Sim-Play sports.
4. Message Flow: Fixture Change is sent when a new match is about to start.

Example:

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?>
<fixture_change
    change_type="1"
    start_time="1717585845000"
    product="12"
    event_id="vti:match:29019887"
    timestamp="1717585775849"
/>
```

## Integration environment

All Sim-Play Sports work in the Integration environment. Producer, competitors and tournaments IDs are the same.

\
A match that was played on our integration environment cannot be obtained from or reproduced on the production environment and vice-versa.

## Recovery windows

Due to faster data, maximum recovery windows differ from the LiveOdds producer. Normally the maximum recovery window is 3 hours, however, it might differ on the producer level.\
\
Maximum recovery windows can always be checked on the `Available Producers` endpoint in the API or via `ProducerManager` (Java) / `ProducersProvider` (.NET) interfaces in the SDK.

## Return to Player configuration

The Return to Player (RTP) of Betradar’s Virtual Sports is based on the bookmaker’s odds key configuration. You can find a comprehensive guide in the [Return to Player configuration document for Virtual Sports](/games/virtual-sports/return-to-player.md).


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