Gamers And Fitness
Electronic Arts, a publisher of computer- and video games, recently decided that they won’t include motion control technologies called “Kinect” and “Move” into their game “Fight Night Champion”.
Twitch-Based?
Brian Hayes, gameplay producer at Electronic Arts told gaming website Eurogamer the reasons:
“It’s a little bit too twitch-based, not to mention the fact that standing on your feet for three minutes and throwing punches is something that, believe it or not, might be beyond the fitness level of most gamers!”
Of course, he may just be right there: Know thy market. A market they have helped shape. A user on the forum of gaming website The Escapist comments:
I really don’t see the point in Kinect. I’ve always used a controller or mouse and keyboard, after a long day I want to come home, sit down, play and get fat. Not start jumping around my room like an epileptic on fire.
Yes, indeed, the pinnacle of physical fitness should be playing that you actually do it, just like actual cooking has been replaced by eating fast food and playing that you actually cook.
10 Comments
I can honestly vouch for that, I’m frustrated with the Wii because my hands can’t be steady and I want pin-point accuracy that a mouse and keyboard offers.
But depends on what games you play, it’s just a little niche for games that could use motion control but it’s sure true gamers are a breed that don’t live for very long. 4 Rockstar drinks, no sleep for 48 hours, junk food, soda, sugar and minimal movement just all brain activity and breathing shows why many of them are obese.
I admit I was getting there once! Then I rediscovered the fun of being outside and it’s much more enjoyable and easier on the eyes.
Yep, that’s true. I tried the Wii, too, and found that the major problem was that the controls aren’t accurate enough.
Meh, a video game’s a video game. Make-believe and daydreaming just like the last one or last movie. Bit sad but hardly surprising.
But maybe they should make it come with a compulsory 2-day Muay Thai course before you get the disk, just to mix it up a little. 🙂
Maybe I’m too naive, but I actually thought that consoles like the Wii could get people to enjoy physical activity a bit more.
Actually they have worked very well in some demographics. My mother works in a retirement how and before the Wii came along the winter months saw the elderly simply play cards. Now they have 4 Wii s in the game room and have weekly bowling tournaments. And let me tell you the blue haired ones are vicious!!!
I can see what the guy means about getting fat(sadly). Some jobs are just so exhausting that it makes any sort of exercising afterwards an impossible feat. I’ve been there.
Tired? Yes. Fat? I don’t think so. You can play games and still watch your weight.
I work in a truss plant 40 hrs a week and I’m basically lifting weights all day during the summer. then i come home, lift weights and go running. you just have to be in the right mindset. granted i make less gains than i do during school, but i still am able to improve myself, and i can make it enjoyable
Yep, that’s exactly it, Austin. And with that hard 40 hour week you’d have more excuse to hang in front of the TV than an office worker.
Hm. The problem is that most (hardcore) gamers don’t like stuff like those kiddy games that are released for the Wii. If Move or Kinect changes that, I really think gamers would be at least a little more active.