Project Natal evolves into Kinect = More Exergaming

Microsoft names motion control device Kinect:

Previously known only as Project Natal, the upcoming motion control device from Microsoft now has an official name -- Kinect. Xbox 360 owners will be able to use the Kinect, which has a built in camera and microphone, to play games without any controller at all. The Kinect will reportedly be able to recognize players by their voice and facial features to distinguish between different participants and potential observers, including pets and children that may wander into the device's view. Switching to Kinect is even better for the Exergame World as it a clear variant of the word kinetic which refers to human movement. Maybe we should call them KinExerGames. I know more controversy in what we call these games.  Stay tuned for a possible resolution to this dilemma.

Game Reviews - E3 2010

Other new Kinect Games will include: Dance Central, Joyride, Kinect Adventures (river-raft), Kinectimals lets you train and play with 20 different virtual animals, and Kinect Sports (6 sports). Source: USA Today

Dave Graveline Into Tomorrow Interviews Stephen Yang at Games For Health 2010

Dave Graveline Into Tomorror Radio Show Interview by Stephen Yang  
Download now or listen on posterous

06-04-2010-1 Dave Graveline GFH2010 Interview audio swap.mp3 (4243 KB)

Here is the Dave Graveline Into Tomorrow Interviewing me (Stephen Yang) at Games For Health 2010, Boston, MA. It was the second time I've been interviewed by Dave and it was great to catch up with him and let him know what's been happening in the ExerGame Lab. Ben and Beth did an awesome job pulling off the biggest and best Games for Health Conference - and if you're interested in making next year's even better - please get in touch so that we can make it happen.

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Games For Health 2010 - Media Coverage

Games For Health 2010 was a huge success in terms of attendance, sessions, and networking.  With over 400 attendees and 100 sessions it was jam packed of activities, presentations, demonstrations, and research to further our mission to get people moving towards a healthier lifestyle.  Ed sounds fantastic in his piece with Rob of the Dave Graveline Radio Show - way to go Ed!





And here is the photo from my session and a link to my interview from Hour 1 as well as the video I shot from my Flip camera. I'll do an audio swap once I isolate my interview.

EA SPORTS Active Slapped with Trademark Lawsuit [Legal]

EA SPORTS Active Slapped with Trademark Lawsuit

The Active Network has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against EA Sports Active, alleging the fitness title's online use of scheduling and fitness goals covers purposes for which it holds the trademark "Active." 

This is an interesting development since the product has been around for a couple of years and has worldwide sales in excess of 3.5 million! I guess if they weren't successful we wouldn't see any lawsuits, plus the fact that only the EA SPORTS Active 2.0 will have the online scheduling and goal features.

Let's do a little math:
3.15 million units @ $60 = $189 million
0.46 million units @ $30 = $13.8 million
= $202 miilion in gross sales

Now they're suing in excess of $75,000 for punitive damages plus an injunction to stop selling anything with Active in the title.  Seems to me that a simple out-of-court settlement would make this little headache go away for EA.  I remember I wrote about EA SPORTS Active and within a day I was corrected on the proper trademark name for the product including using capitals for "EA SPORTS". They are unique in the sense that they have been able to bridge the gap between their console game/routines and having people go online (YouTube, Twitter, etc,) to talk and support one another. Follow Kathyrn on Twitter and use the following hasthtag (#easactive)to get a dedicated group of user. Let's see what happens with this court case.

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Able Gamer demonstrates how he plays Modern Warfare 2

via feeds.whattheyplay.com

Paralyzed gamer demonstrates how he plays Modern Warfare 2 By Nadia Oxford, June 5, 2010 People are often very shy about asking differently-abled individuals questions about their condition, especially questions about how they complete day-to-day tasks. Iain Hanson from Scotland, who was paralyzed in an accident when he was 15, is happy to demonstrate how he manages to game. Take a look at the video below. Game on, Iain. Source: Kotaku

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Do You Have The Right Stuff? Exergaming in Space Propoosals Due July 27, 2010

NASA Challenge: Augmenting the Exercise Experience with Audio-Visual Inputs Reward:  $20,000 USDType:  Theoretical-IP TransferINNOCENTIVE 9455001   DEADLINE: Jul 27, 2010   91 Project Rooms   Posted: May 27, 2010

NASA is looking for a system that augments the exercise experience and captures psychological and physiological measures while the individual crew member is participating in prescribed exercise regimens. This virtual, interactive system will serve as a countermeasure by enhancing the exercise experience. 

This is a Theoretical Challenge which requires a written proposal only. The Solver will propose a system that meets the requirements and justify it with arguments and relevant references. Evidence that the proposed system will work (from previous applications, existing data, literature, etc.) will be very important. The proposal will be evaluated on a theoretical basis considering the current state of the art knowledge. 

 

InnoCentive is the global innovation marketplace where creative minds solve some of the world's most important problems for cash awards up to $1 million. Commercial, governmental and humanitarian organizations engage with InnoCentive to solve problems that can impact humankind in areas ranging from the environment to medical advancements.

 

An InnoCentive Theoretical Challenge implements an idea but is not yet a proof of concept. A solution to a Theoretical Challenge will solidify the Solver's concept with detailed descriptions, specifications and requirements necessary to bringing a good idea closer to becoming an actual product or service.

 

This Challenge is a Theoretical-IP Transfer Challenge, meaning that Solvers must relinquish all rights to the Intellectual Property (IP) for which they are awarded. By contrast, Theoretical-Licensing means that the Seeker is requesting non-exclusive rights to use the winning solution. For both forms of a theoretical Challenge, solvers that do not win retain the rights to their solution after the evaluation period is complete. The Seeker retains no rights to any IP not awarded.

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