ExerBeat to a Fitter You

Adding to the rapidly expanding consumer exergaming market is Namco's ExerBeat. Due for a later release, it will be a Wii only title and from the screenshots, it doesn't look like they will be using the USB camera from Your Shape.  It looks like a mash-up of Wii Fit and Just Dance! but with no trailers yet, we'll just have to wait and see. Check back for updates and trailers

AIWI (i-Wii). Do you?

AIWI (pronounced i-Wii) is an app that you can download for iOS, Android devices that lets you play motion games with your precious devices connected via Bluetooth or WiFi to your computer (PC). Hey, I'm all for gaming but my I can barely keep my phone from dropping out of my hands at least once a day and using to it to grip and rip on a golf game will surely mean more cleaning and more calls to your cell phone insurance company.

The free version allows you to play 7 games and use your phone as a presentation remote, 3D air mouse, and Qwerty keyboard; while the paid version opens up to 25 games and adds multiplayer support.  Give it a whirl and let me know what you think.


The AIWI is not the first mobile device to connect to your computer to play games, in fact in June I featured the Pirata Boat Race  which used your iPod over WiFi to row your boat in a race against the computer or competing crew.

AHA & Nintendo Power of Play

 It's been a great start to the American Heart Association & Nintendo Power of Play Summit: Innovations in Getting Active in San Francisco, CA at the Mission Bay Conference Center. Here is the video I made for my presentation.  Let me know what you think. It's been great chatting with Eelke Folmer, Floyd Mueller, Ann Maloney, Ernie Medina, Deb Lieberman, Ed Kassanders, Belinda Lange, Sheryl Flynn and more.

The Power of Play “Innovation often involves the fusion of different perspectives to create a new way of thinking. Active-play video games have already changed the landscape for consumers who want to be more physically active. ‘The Power of Play’ summit will offer a unique chance to look closely at ways in which technology and physical activity can both be incorporated into a healthy lifestyle.” - Indu Subaiya, co-founder of Health 2.0 The Power of Play: Innovations in Getting Active The Power of Play: Innovations in Getting Active, hosted by the American Heart Association and Nintendo of America, will bring together thought leaders with unique perspectives from the divergent worlds of fitness, science, health care, research and video games. Speakers will engage the audience in conversations that investigate the synergies and potential benefits of active-play video games and physically active lifestyles. This is your chance to think in a big-picture way about innovations in getting active: What is the future of active play? What are the most innovative experiments to track? What will the world of active-play video games look like in the year 2011? 2016? 2021? Invited guests – RSVP now to participate in this thought-provoking event. About the American Heart Association and Nintendo Relationship The American Heart Association and Nintendo of America have joined together in a multifaceted strategic relationship aimed at helping people create healthy lifestyles through physically active play. The two organizations are working together on multiple fronts to help consumers discover how active-play video games contribute to healthy living. Their joint efforts are arming consumers with information and providing people with hands-on experiences. The Power of Play: Innovations in Getting Active is a summit of representatives from different backgrounds convened to discuss the potential benefits of active-play video games.

Photo credits:

Positive Gaming

Get Active! Let's Kinect - 1st consumer-turned-commercial exergame?

Coming pre-loaded with Xbox Kinect and Kinect Adventures, this could be the first consumer exergame turned arcade/commercial. If you've got $5000 laying around and you don't want anyone fiddling with your console, this might be an option. Not sure how the games would play if it is in redemption mode or if it's simply a time limited.  Has anyone tried this one out yet?

Game Gate VU Get Active! Let's Kinect | Coin Operated Xbox360 Microsoft Kinect Arcade Machine | Worldwide Get Active Lets Kinect Game Gate VU Xbox Console Delivery


(Via The Stinger Report & BMI Gaming)

Saying I to Eye Control (icontrol) Exergaming? [CES]

At CES 2011, Waterloo Labs (National Instruments) demo'd their proof-of-concept eye-controlled gaming system, using a DDR-type mock-up. It makes you wonder the limits a person can can sustain repetitive rapid eye movements in such distinct patterns - as opposed to regular game play where you get to look all around the screen (or HUD if using VR).  I also wonder how much interference you get once you start moving around and whether the artifacts and sampling error can be overcome with the use of a visual reference system, a la Kinect or PS3 Eye.

Now using eye movements is nothing new, but its good to see people taking the time to use affordable sensors for gaming purposes. I love the open-source EyeWriter project as a prime example of using eye control for computer interaction.  Get hacking!

Amazon Gets Moving

You know exergaming / active-gaming / motion gaming is big when Amazon "takes its talents" to our side. Although it's only a matter of time before they really make the link towards possible better health through gaming and technology.

I've seen a couple of neat things from the CES 2011 press releases including the Bodymedia Armband BW which integrates via Bluetooth to log your activity and energy expenditure.

Ernie Medina will be there getting all the latest "hands-on" with the newest devices.  Can't wait to see pictures!