Image via WikipediaNow if we can make a game out of this perhaps adding in some Star Wars Force Unleashed and some simple game elements. Wow. Maybe throw in the VirtuSphere with the Tesla Coils in the background, now that's immersive.
Monday, March 14, 2011
MayaFit (Fitness-Simulator)
Response Design just released a trailer for their MayaFit. The creative wizards behind the original YourselfFitness!, Your Shape and My Fitness Coach have brought their experience together with the PrimeSense Open Natural Interaction (OpenNI) featured for PC's and TV's. We heard and saw previews at Games for Health 2010 in Boston last year so it's good to see things moving along. Although some of the graphics haven't changed that much and looks a little like EyeToy Kinetic. I have to check to see if they were part of that team as well.
The second video highlights a kiosk setup with touch display (probably for gyms and fitness centers). To me, MayaFit and to some extent Dance Central are fitness-simulators or dance-simulators as they provide little game play or game design elements. They are great in terms of motion sensing; however, my biggest gripe is that the "trainer" is the central figure and not the user. EyeToy Kinetic and other EyeToy series pioneered the interaction of the "moving-user" with augmented reality game elements. What do you think?
The second video highlights a kiosk setup with touch display (probably for gyms and fitness centers). To me, MayaFit and to some extent Dance Central are fitness-simulators or dance-simulators as they provide little game play or game design elements. They are great in terms of motion sensing; however, my biggest gripe is that the "trainer" is the central figure and not the user. EyeToy Kinetic and other EyeToy series pioneered the interaction of the "moving-user" with augmented reality game elements. What do you think?
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Move & Kinect Square Off
The newest exergame controllers for consoles (Kinect & Move) are reviewed by Uber Tech site CNET. Check out the video to see which one is crowned the Champ. Let's get ready to Rummmble.
Friday, February 25, 2011
GreenGoose Gets U Healthier
Can small sensors tracking your teeth-brushing, water drinking and exercise habits get you in better shape? A new company that popped up, GreenGoose lets you set lifestyle goals then track your own progress automatically with sensors on your toothbrush or waterbottle or a credit card sized pedometer (presumably a small accelerometer). With an open slot on your router, and for less than $25.00 you can get busy monitoring and "gamifying" your life.
Make sure you check out the GDC 'SGS Gamification Day' Debate, Lectures. On deck for the debate is GFH Guru Ben Sawyer and other game luminaries Jesse Schell, Jane McGonigal, and Noah Falstein.
[Source: Thanks Ben S]
Monday, February 21, 2011
Gamercize School Handbook - (free download)
Open publication - Free publishing - More video games
To read the document online click through the pages and view it full screen.
To download your copy, get it at this link: http://www.gamercize.net/GZSchoolHB.pdf
Disclosure: I am an author in this work and I received a stipend for my contribution. In the past I've also received products to review and incorporate into my research and practice.
To read the document online click through the pages and view it full screen.
To download your copy, get it at this link: http://www.gamercize.net/GZSchoolHB.pdf
Disclosure: I am an author in this work and I received a stipend for my contribution. In the past I've also received products to review and incorporate into my research and practice.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Does IT Time Predict BMI in children and adolescents? (Study)
Image by gnackgnackgnack via FlickrDoes the time spent using Information Technology (IT) like using the computer, playing video games, and cell phone use predict BMI in children and adolescents? In a new study by Linda Jackson and Colleagues at MSU surveyed more than 400 children and adolescents (mean age 14 years old) over three years and found that IT and video game playing time did not predict BMI as other studies have indicated. Other results
- The more a participant played video games the better their visual-spatial skills were - which makes sense from all the work done especially in Dr. Bavelier's Lab in Rochester.
- Jackson et al found also found that video game playing time also predicted lower GPA which is interesting given the renewed interest in using serious games. I suppose the biggest difference is that I assume none (few) of the games these participants played were serious games, educational simulators, or exergames.
- Children who played videogames more had lower social self-esteem and grades than those who played videogames less.
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