So in 2005 the Sony Playstation came out with the eye toy. This opened up
avenues for some fitness style games to encourage a exercise training program.
Kinetic was the front runner offering the gambit from aerobics to tai chi style
balance routines. By using the camera the game would register movement you made
on the screen. This wasn't bad, but left a little to be desired in a smaller
living room with any type of decor on your walls.
Now once again we see the gaming industries stepping up to the plate, this
time with the Nintendo Wii. They opened their initial bundle with Wii sports
that introduced their gamers to the interactive controls. Now they are
attempting to venture into fitness, this time with a new type of controller
that is called a "balance board".
They are launching Wii Fit; it is supposed to offer a full range of balance
and aerobic style activities. It goes with the concept to registering your
weight distribution on their new controller. From its demo, I saw everything
from push ups, yoga, dancing and the hula hoop.
So this leads me to the question:
With all of the new technologies coming up, do you think this type of video
game can indeed get people off their couch and start exercising?