Category: Video Games

The Third Dimension of Training with Traq3D

httpv://youtu.be/8Y1I_soc_-Y

Fitness is now heading to a new dimension as Traq3D has announced the launch of the next generation TRAZER system, which utilizes the Panasonic Electric Works’ 3D Image Sensing Camera, D-IMager, as the preferred 3D motion detection device for this new product. TRAZER is an innovative interactive exercise technology that was featured on according to the company measures the previously immeasurable fundamental components of movement. It provides the power to detect movement asymmetries and weaknesses to guide rehabilitation, performance enhancement and injury prevention programs.

While this has the appearance of the technology used in current video games, such as the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft’s Kinect for the Xbox360 or the PlayStation Move, it is really a lot more says the technology’s innovator.

Continue reading The Third Dimension of Training with Traq3D

Alabama Schools Employ Wii to Combat Childhood Obesity

Sales of Nintendo’s Wii are down and the popularity of the gaming console isn’t as explosive as a few years back (you can now actually find one in stock, and for much cheaper), but the Wii is still name-checked as the first successful console to bring fitness and video gaming together. The Wii Fit accessory and “game” can be found in millions of homes (albeit also collecting dust is many households), and it is frequently referenced in popular culture. Despite the success it has achieved to date in getting people off their sofas, the Wii Fit doesn’t actually deliver the level of intensity a traditional exercise provides.

Never mind all that. Public school officials in Alabama still see the Wii Fit system as a way to combat childhood obesity in the state. The “Wee Can Fight Obesity” program uses the Wii Fit Plus Bundle and EA Sports Active games as a form of exercise three days a week during phys-ed class for third graders. The one-year program is rolled out to 30 schools, and was in 30 different schools the previous year; the goal is to expand the program to every elementary school.

The program puts a different spin on what is exercising. The kids don’t view it as torture in school, but as playing. Children are exercising and shedding pounds without ever thinking of it as physical activity. While the Wii Fit will never offer the benefits of true exercising or activity, it does give kids a positive spin on the dreaded P.E. class. Importantly, the Alabama program recognizes the threat childhood obesity poses and is doing what it can to address the issue.

[Via The Birmingham News: ALABAMA PUBLIC SCHOOL TURNS TO WII TO HELP FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY]

Golf Training Gets Mental

httpv://youtu.be/nOHa94jkqCk

Trying to improve your golf game might drive you “mental” as they say in the U.K., and as golf was born in Scotland we totally understand. But now you can improve your game by going mental in a totally good way, as in by using the Pro Mental Coach interactive program instead.

This program, which is based on neuroscience, is the world’s first mental coach of its time and was actually selected by the PGA Center for Learning & Performance. Users of the program undergo an initial assessment to determine mental game strengths and weaknesses. Following this assessment, the program customizes the appropriate “exergames” training routines based on the user’s skills. The proprietary, personalized Dynamic Intelligence System adapts difficulty level in real-time to ensure mental game training is optimized and the user gets maximum benefits in minimal training time. Continue reading Golf Training Gets Mental

Hit the Stage and Dance (But Without Any Stars)

The latest trend in video game fitness seems to revolve around strutting your stuff on the dance floor – or basically in front of your TV. This week sees the release of Dance! It’s Your Stage from dtp young entertainment for the Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii and PC. It’s your Stage features 20 brand new tracks, recorded exclusively for the game, each with dynamic and exciting choreography from world renowned professional dance guru ‘Detlef D! Soost’.

Everybody dance now with this game, which offers full support for the PlayStation Move, Wii Balance Board and PC via the Xbox 360 controller and dance mat. The game takes place across 8 detailed locations (all of which are expandable through unlockable content) where you can select from a choice of 6 avatars with over 300 unique styling options. With Dance! It’s Your Stage you won’t be dancing with any stars, but at least you’ll be off the couch!

Dance! It’s Your Stage Official Website

Fitness Game System For Those on the Go

The wave of motion control-based video games systems, including the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft’s Kinetic and the PlayStation Move are designed to get users off the couch, but Silicon Valley start-up Striiv is looking to allow gamers to take it on the go. The concept is built around a $99 device that will reportedly measure a user’s activity and movement, and reward them in gameplay with their respective level of activity.

The gadget has the ability to measure every step, and let’s players hit personal goals, compete with friends and even make donations for walkathons and other activities. The folks behind the gizmo see this as part of the so-called “gamify” health and fitness movement, with the goal of making non-game activities more game-like by providing rewards for regular activities. These could include challenges such as taking a number of steps in a certain amount of time, or walk the number of stairs that are in the Eiffel Tower or the length of the Golden Gate Bridge.

New goals and activities will reportedly be uploadable to the device, and Striiv should be in gamer’s pockets later this year. While these challenges and goals around walking could wear thing, especially as gamers tend to be quick to move onto the next thing, it still looks like the company could be striiv’ing to make a step in the right direction.

Video after the jump

Continue reading Fitness Game System For Those on the Go

Twister Goes Digital With Kinect for Xbox 360

That silly family game Twister has long been a way to get people off the couch, and now Majesco Entertainment looks to do it again, this time with a new “twist.” Majesco has announced a team up with Hasbro to bring Twister Mania to Kinetic for the Microsoft Xbox 260 this holiday season.

“It’s hard to think of a more popular, cherished and culturally significant board game than Twister. I myself have fond memories of the laughs and outrageous fun I’ve had when playing with friends and family,” said Jesse Sutton, CEO, Majesco Entertainment.”Our game introduces a brand new play pattern that is perfect for what Kinect was designed to do. Twister Mania for Kinect is as much fun to watch as it is to play and it’s shaping up to be one of the most contagious Kinect party games released.” Continue reading Twister Goes Digital With Kinect for Xbox 360

Kung Fu Comes to Kinect

Get ready to kick some butt this November. UTV Ignition Games and Black Bean Games just announced a partnership to bring Kung Fu High Impact to Kinect for Xbox 360. The game will be out in time for the holiday season, and for some of us to get started on New Year’s resolutions to get in shape.

The game combines old-style side-scrolling action with the new genre of exercise games. The Kinect controller uses the camera and body-tracking to put the player on the screen. The player will be able to see and complete real-life combat movements, interacting with enemies and objects on the screen.

Several game modes keep Kung Fu High Impact exciting. An engaging story keeps you involved and makes it more likely you’ll keep up your sessions to stay fit. Kung Fu High Impact has survival challenges, a multiplayer mode and other challenging gameplay styles to help you test your fighting skills, burn calories and stay fit.

UTV Ignition Games
Black Bean Games

 

Get the Eye of the Tiger for the PlayStation Move

While Tiger Woods may have lost the eye of the tiger a bit this season, you can still play a few rounds with the pro on the PlayStation Move. Sony Computer Entertainment America announced the availability of the limited edition PlayStation Move Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: Masters Bundle, which will tee off in stores this week. This bundle combines the PlayStation Move motion controller, the PlayStation Eye and the thrill of EA SPORTS’ Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters on Blu-ray disc ($99.99 MSRP).

“PlayStation Move was designed to enable experiences that put players directly in the game. Tiger Woods PGA TOUR 12: The Masters is a title that takes full advantage of the realistic and immersive feeling PlayStation Move provides,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA “We’re always looking for ways to offer more value to our consumers and we’re very excited to be partnering with EA SPORTS to deliver this comprehensive bundle.”

The bundle will be available while supplies last, so you might want to get your Move on!

(Video after the jump) Continue reading Get the Eye of the Tiger for the PlayStation Move

E3 2011: UFC Personal Trainer – This Time Its Personal

Enter the Octagon, where two men enter – and eventually both men leave after a serious workout. That’s sort of the idea behind THQ’s UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System. We at KineticShift take a bit of offense at the idea that a video game would be the “Ultimate Fitness System,” but this upcoming game features more than 70 MMA and NASM-approved exercises, including moves from disciplines including wrestling, kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Basically this is a bit of shadow boxing, shadow kicking and the like. There are 51 routines, and users can focus on specific fitness objectives and even target specific muscle groups. While we also don’t think this game alone will get you in ultimate shape, we could see that this could be part of a well round workout that is anything but routine.

Video after the jump:

Continue reading E3 2011: UFC Personal Trainer – This Time Its Personal

E3 2011: Your Shape Evolves From Ubisoft

This week in Los Angeles Ubisoft offered a peek at its upcoming Kinect fitness title for the Xbox 360. Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2012, the sequel to the original Your Shape game, promises to provide more user feedback along with more than 90 hours of new content. The game will track a user’s movements, and provides more detailed feedback to help you work out.

The game will include a variety of workout routines including the ability jump rope and do basic aerobic exercises. But the really cool part of this one promises to be the “Run the World” mode, which allows players to virtually run through the streets of New York, Paris or London – given that this reporter has actually run in those cities I can’t wait to see this in action when the game is released this November, exclusively on Kinetic for the Xbox 360.

Video after the jump: Continue reading E3 2011: Your Shape Evolves From Ubisoft

E3 2011: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Let’s You Swim in the Living Room

There are some games that just make instant sense, and then there are the games like Michael Phelps: Push the Limit. In this one players get to try to go for the gold and beyond in a swimming game – pool not required, not included and not compatible.

A swimming game for the living room? That’s right. The idea behind this motion control game is that players simulate swimming, moving their arms to simulate the motion of swimming in the water. The upcoming game utilizes Kinect for the Xbox 360 and from the scenes on the show floor it could get gamers’ hearts pumping. It features a variety of unique settings – but it isn’t exactly the career path that Phelps took. We figured he swam in school pools, city pools and Olympic pools, not in outdoor pools on icy mountain ranges. But that’s artistic license.

This is one that could be hit or miss, or dare we say sink or swim. Michael Phelps: Push the Limit is out now exclusively on Kinect for Xbox 360 from 505 Games.

Video after the jump: Continue reading E3 2011: Michael Phelps: Push the Limit Let’s You Swim in the Living Room

E3 2011: adidas Teams With THQ

Trade shows such as the Electronic Entertainment Expo are known to get gamers up and running – that is running to see games and to get to appointments. The rest of the time gamers need some urging to get that much activity, but now adidas is set to team up with THQ to bring the popular miCoach interactive athletic training system to video game consoles.

The new collaboration is set for release next year, and will allow gamers to train using the miCoach hardware, including heart rate monitor (or any ANT+ compatible monitor), which will connect to the THQ’s new video game title for the Kinetic for Xbox 360 or PlayStation Move via miCoach Pacer and miCoarch mobile app.

“We’re taking our successful miCoach line and broadening its reach to an even larger audience, who we hope will find motivation and inspiration from adidas and our roster of star athletes,” said Simon Drabble, Director of miCoach BU for adidas. “In simple words, this combination of console technology and training for sports supports everybody to become better athletes, regardless of their fitness level.”

Players will get an onscreen trainer to guide them through hours of on-screen training and motivating game experience. The system will get gamers toned up beginning next year.

miCoach Official Website
THQ Official Website

E3 2011: Nintendo Says Wii U

Nintendo announced its Wii U at this week’s Electronic Entertainment Expo. While the game console won’t actually arrive until 2012, Nintendo did provide a look at the innovative console system, which could be as much of a gamer changer as the Nintendo Wii was when it arrived in 2006.

The Wii U is built around a new tablet-esque controller that allows for users to switch gameplay from the TV screen to the tablet’s 6.2-inch touchscreen.

“It is infinitely complex, but simple at the same time,” said Reggie Fils-Aime, President of Nintendo America. “You want what you always wanted, but you wanted something new. You want comfortable and you want surprise. Contradictions, no problem? They come with the territory.”

The Wii U can be used as a controller or as a gaming device, offering both motion control while also having the promise to work with the current Wii-mote. We’ll be very interested in seeing how this could be utilized with Nintendo’s fitness related titles.