The annual video game industry trade show – the Electronic Entertainment Expo – kicks off today, and the rumor mill hasn’t exactly been working overtime, especially when it comes to fitness related titles.
What has been announced so far is that Majesco Entertainment is sticking with what it knows best and that means Zumba Fitness. According to the company: After selling more than 6 million copies worldwide, the Zumba Fitness video game franchise is breaking new ground in the fitness genre with an exhilarating new experience. Be there when Majesco reveals its next Zumba Fitness game that’s set to hit store shelves this fall.
The bigger news is that Microsoft will likely announced its new fitness-based service for Xbox called “Kinect Play Fit.” According to reports, the dashboard update will supposedly allow fitness-minded Kinect users to track data about their Kinect-based exercise across most games. Microsoft will also likely announce a universal heart monitor, codenamed “Joule” that will work in tandem with Kinect Play Fit. Using the “Joule” will let players optimize their workouts by ensuring that their exercises keep their heart rate at optimal levels for cardio, weight loss, etc. While the Joule will work in tandem with Kinect Play Fit, users will not be required to purchase it to use the service.
EA already produces a heart monitor for gaming platforms, which comes with EA Sports Active 2, but that monitor works exclusively with one game. Theoretically, the Joule will work with every game that is Kinect Play Fit compatible.
Check back all week for the latest from E3.