Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Report: 'Kinect Play Fit' and 'Joule' are Kinect-ercise tools]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/report-kinect-play-fit-and-joule-are-kinect-ercise-tools/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/report-kinect-play-fit-and-joule-are-kinect-ercise-tools/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/08/report-kinect-play-fit-and-joule-are-kinect-ercise-tools/#comments ImageMicrosoft is prepping for Kinect Play Fit and releasing hardware codenamed "Joule" to accompany it, according to sources speaking to The Verge. Kinect Play Fit will track exercise across "most Kinect games," providing metrics that'll be stored in the cloud. Joule is expected to be a heart-rate monitor, allowing wireless monitoring to keep exercise "within a target goal for weight loss, strength, or cross-fitness workouts."

Joule and Kinect Play Fit are compatible, but are two separate products. There is no expected launch window, but Verge sources also claim a future dashboard update will introduce the system. We're checking with Microsoft if it has any comment, but most of this (if true) will likely be revealed at E3 in a month.

Update: "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation."

JoystiqReport: 'Kinect Play Fit' and 'Joule' are Kinect-ercise tools originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 May 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exerciseexergamingJoulekinectKinect-Play-FitmicrosoftxboxTue, 08 May 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[48-player DDR coming to classrooms]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/48-player-ddr-coming-to-classrooms/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/48-player-ddr-coming-to-classrooms/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/01/48-player-ddr-coming-to-classrooms/#comments Konami is making it easier for schools to use Dance Dance Revolution for fitness programs, with a new version designed specifically for schools. Dance Dance Revolution Classroom Edition, being unveiled Feb. 24 at the CAHPERD Conference, is a PC game that allows up to 48 mats to be connected to a single game.

We can only hope that the following presentation at that conference will be about reinforcing classroom floors.

Continue reading 48-player DDR coming to classrooms

Joystiq48-player DDR coming to classrooms originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classroomdance-dance-revolutiondance-dance-revolution-classroom-editioneducationexercisekonamischoolWed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ECA Institute launches Gamers for Health program]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/eca-institute-launches-gamers-for-health-program/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/eca-institute-launches-gamers-for-health-program/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/06/eca-institute-launches-gamers-for-health-program/#comments Need a little encouragement to get started on your New Year's resolution to cut your body fat in half while simultaneously doubling your muscle mass? Well, it sounds like that particular goal might require some elective surgery to achieve -- but if you're looking to get generally healthy, the Entertainment Consumers Association wants to help. The ECA Institute has put together an initiative dubbed Gamers for Health, which will "provide ECA members and the gaming community with the tools and resources necessary to help incorporate gaming activities into healthy lifestyles."

We doubt that mission statement translates into "free Wii Fits for everyone" -- rather, the program will allow ECA members to create a profile and list their daily exergaming activities, sharing goals and tips with fellow users. That's not a terrible idea; we've long searched for a way to share our "Pokémon and Pilates" technique with the masses.

JoystiqECA Institute launches Gamers for Health program originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 04:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecaentertainment-consumers-associationexerciseexergaminggamers-for-healthhealthThu, 06 Jan 2011 04:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tae Bo inventor appearing in Wii exercise game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/tae-bo-inventor-appearing-in-wii-exercise-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/tae-bo-inventor-appearing-in-wii-exercise-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/22/tae-bo-inventor-appearing-in-wii-exercise-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Billy Blanks, former action star and Tae Bo exercise video baron, will star in a new Japanese Wii exercise game. Billy's Boot Camp: Wii de Enjoy Diet! will feature Billy working out alongside your Miis, and will support the Balance Board in addition to multiple Wiimotes. It's not entirely random to have Blanks appearing in a Japanese release: 1UP notes that the fitness trainer lives in Osaka now and appears frequently on Japanese television.

If your life has a Blanks-shaped hole in it that can only be filled by this game, take heart: Ubisoft localized the last game in this series, Shape Boxing: Wii de Enjoy Diet, with a Gold's Gym license. There's hope for Billy.

JoystiqTae Bo inventor appearing in Wii exercise game originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>billy-blanksbillys-boot-camp-wii-de-enjoy-dietexercisefitnessjapannintendorocket-companywiiWed, 22 Sep 2010 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Mel B and Wii exercise accessories: 2 Become 1]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/mel-b-and-wii-exercise-accessories-2-become-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/mel-b-and-wii-exercise-accessories-2-become-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/02/mel-b-and-wii-exercise-accessories-2-become-1/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How does former Spice Girl Mel B keep in shape?

Continue reading Mel B and Wii exercise accessories: 2 Become 1

JoystiqMel B and Wii exercise accessories: 2 Become 1 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Balance-BoardBlazedumbbellseuropeexercisemel-bnintendowiiWiimoteThu, 02 Sep 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jillian Michaels gives her Fitness Ultimatum to D3 Publisher]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/jillian-michaels-gives-her-fitness-ultimatum-to-d3-publisher/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/jillian-michaels-gives-her-fitness-ultimatum-to-d3-publisher/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/05/jillian-michaels-gives-her-fitness-ultimatum-to-d3-publisher/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If we keep ignoring the demands set forth by Jillian Michaels, she is going to get really mad. The trainer is giving us her third Fitness Ultimatum, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011, so we'd better all get fit or else. She's putting her foot down this time.

And this time, the Ultimatum is being delivered only in the form of a Wii game (no DS game), so there's no option to kowtow to Ms. Michaels on the go. Ultimatum 2011 incorporates a more traditional game-like design than its predecessors, including a story mode that involves taking down "an evil food and drug corporation."

Intriguingly, the license is now in the hands of D3 Publisher rather than Majesco. Majesco recently popped up in the news when it acquired the My Baby license from SouthPeak (though not with SouthPeak's cooperation), and now one of its former licenses has moved to another company.

Gallery: Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011 (Wii)



JoystiqJillian Michaels gives her Fitness Ultimatum to D3 Publisher originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Collision-StudiosD3-PublisherExerciseFitnessJillian-MichaelsJillian-Michaels-Fitness-UltimatumJillian-Michaels-Fitness-Ultimatum-2011nintendowiiThu, 05 Aug 2010 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview: Active Life Explorer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/preview-active-life-explorer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/preview-active-life-explorer/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/16/preview-active-life-explorer/#comments It's pretty much a Wii version of Uncharted 2.

Okay, that's a bit of a stretch. However, one of the levels of Namco Bandai's Active Life Explorer has you running down a train, jumping from car to car, as you try to make your way to the front. Along the way, you'll be dodging overhead lights, in a frantic rush to stop the train from meeting a fiery end. But, unlike Naughty Dog's PS3 game, you're not shooting your way through. Instead, you use a DDR-esque mat to literally run through the game.

The Wii is no stranger to fitness games (the Active Life franchise already has multiple iterations on Nintendo's console). However, what makes Explorer so charming is that it actually feels like a game. The game's Treasure Adventure mode features a world map and story, and has you traveling through the map, talking to NPCs and activating challenges to progress in a quest to find treasures. Although simplistic, the narrative does a good enough job of giving some context to the various mini-games you play.

Gallery: Active Life Explorer

Continue reading Preview: Active Life Explorer

JoystiqPreview: Active Life Explorer originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Active-Lifeactive-life-explorerExerciseExergamingFitnessMinigamesnamco-bandainintendowiiFri, 16 Jul 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Finally, a Wii Sports Resort rowing exercise machine]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/finally-a-wii-sports-resort-rowing-exercise-machine/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/finally-a-wii-sports-resort-rowing-exercise-machine/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/20/finally-a-wii-sports-resort-rowing-exercise-machine/#comments Remember when you first played the Rowing event in Wii Sports Resort, and wished that there was some way you could simulate the tactile feedback associated with dragging a paddle through water? Peripheral manufacturer CTA Digital, which brought us the 8-in-1 Wii Sports Kit, the Wii Remote Dumbell Set and the 9-in-1 Wii Sports Kit, has created a device which fills your very specific need: The Wii Rowing machine, currently available on Amazon for $34.99.

Check out a video demonstration of the peripheral after the jump. We know you're probably a little bit dubious, but what you don't know is that you can also use it to do sit-ups. It practically pays for itself, in the sense that having a tight, rippled abdomen counts as its own form of currency.

Continue reading Finally, a Wii Sports Resort rowing exercise machine

JoystiqFinally, a Wii Sports Resort rowing exercise machine originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 May 2010 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>canoeingctaexerciseexergamingNintendoperipheralsrowingsportsWiiwii-sports-resortThu, 20 May 2010 03:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GameStop holding Wii Fit Plus demo events]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/gamestop-holding-wii-fit-plus-demo-events/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/gamestop-holding-wii-fit-plus-demo-events/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/21/gamestop-holding-wii-fit-plus-demo-events/#commentsIf lifestyle software like Wii Fit Plus is truly "evergreen," selling for long periods of time beyond the normal sales cycle, then we suppose it follows that its marketing can be evergreen as well. Which is why Nintendo can hold "Wii Fit Plus Demo Days" at GameStops across the U.S. now, even though Wii Fit Plus was released in October 2009.

If you're curious about, say, the ridiculous Bird's Eye Bulls-Eye event, or the ability to create workout routines, you can go to one of the 100 participating stores between 1-4pm on April 25 or May 2 and try it out for yourself.

JoystiqGameStop holding Wii Fit Plus demo events originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 21 Apr 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exerciseexergamingfitnessgamestopNintendoWiiwii-fitwii-fit-pluswii-fit-plus-demo-daysWed, 21 Apr 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[White House courts devs to make healthy eating games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/13/white-house-courts-developers-to-make-healthy-eating-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/13/white-house-courts-developers-to-make-healthy-eating-video-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/13/white-house-courts-developers-to-make-healthy-eating-video-games/#commentsIn a video presentation at the Game Developers Choice Awards, White House chief technology officer Aneesh Chopra discussed the Apps for Healthy Kids project, a plan to encourage game developers to collaborate with government to work against childhood obesity.

The latest component, an Apps for Healthy Kids contest tasks game developers with creating games that help encourage good exercise and diet habits among kids and give parents information about what their children eat -- with $40,000 in prizes for the winning games. The apps, to be submitted in either "tool" or "game" categories, will integrate the data from MyFoodapedia.gov, a database of the caloric content of common food.

In a letter, First Lady Michelle Obama told game devs, "You know better than most the power of games to deeply engage our nation's youth. Today I'm asking you to dedicate your creative energy skills to address one of America's biggest challenges and help make healthy living fun, exciting and relevant for kids."

[Via Gamasutra]

JoystiqWhite House courts devs to make healthy eating games originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apps-for-healthy-kidsexercisegame-developers-choice-awards-2010gdc-2010healthobesityserious-gamesSat, 13 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: EA Sports Active 2.0 executive producer Tarrnie Williams]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/interview-ea-sports-active-2-0-executive-producer-tarrnie-willi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/interview-ea-sports-active-2-0-executive-producer-tarrnie-willi/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/11/interview-ea-sports-active-2-0-executive-producer-tarrnie-willi/#comments
Tarrnie Williams, formerly of Relic Entertainment, now spends his days working at EA Burnaby on EA Sports Active, which now has him wearing plastic peripherals and extolling the virtues of exercise in his role as executive producer on EA Sports Active 2.0. He's definitely very eager about working out, and he's eager to shake the image of chubby dudes playing games in their parent's basement. He wants them to be fit while they're down there.

We talked to Williams at the EA Sports Opener at GDC where he deftly dodged questions about the Xbox 360 version, and didn't give up much information on the iPhone and iPod Touch versions, other than the fact that "they're online enabled." We'd sure hope so. He does talk about the peripherals and future plans for the property, which includes monitoring your brain. So jog beyond the break to read the full interview.

Continue reading Interview: EA Sports Active 2.0 executive producer Tarrnie Williams

JoystiqInterview: EA Sports Active 2.0 executive producer Tarrnie Williams originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-Sports-Active-2.0EA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseexergamingFitnessgdc-2010interviewNintendoTarrnie-WilliamsWiiThu, 11 Mar 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active 2.0 coming this fall to Wii, PS3 and iPhone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/ea-sports-active-2-0-coming-this-fall-to-wii-ps3-and-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/ea-sports-active-2-0-coming-this-fall-to-wii-ps3-and-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/09/ea-sports-active-2-0-coming-this-fall-to-wii-ps3-and-iphone/#comments EA Sports' "Season Opener" event at GDC contained one major announcement for the developer's bevy of franchises: EA Sports Active will receive the sequel treatment this Fall with EA Sports Active 2.0 (working title), an updated version of the exergame for the PS3, Wii, iPhone and iPod Touch platforms. The console versions of the game will come equipped with two motion sensors and a heart rate monitor the player can strap to their arms and legs.

User information in this new game can be shared over an online social network, allowing fellow players to keep track of how frequently you've been skipping out on your demanding workout regimen. EA Vancouver is reprising its role as developer for the title. We'll let you know when we hear more about 2.0 -- like, for instance, why the game is apparently skipping out on launching on the 360.

JoystiqEA Sports Active 2.0 coming this fall to Wii, PS3 and iPhone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 22:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AppleEAEA-SportsEA-Sports-Activeea-sports-active-2ea-sports-active-2.0EA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseexergamingFitnessgdc-2010iPodNintendosportsWiiTue, 09 Mar 2010 22:50:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active earned publisher $125 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/ea-sports-active-earned-publisher-125-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/ea-sports-active-earned-publisher-125-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/03/ea-sports-active-earned-publisher-125-million/#comments EA Sports Active for the Wii, the third-party publisher's sweatier response to Nintendo's best-seller Wii Fit, has earned the company $125 million. Gamasutra reports that at the conclusion of Electronic Arts' fiscal year (which is at the end of this month), the company believes the product will be one of the "top 20-selling ... Wii titles of all time." Of course, with Nintendo's dominance on its own platform, EA Sports Active is likely closer to the 20th position than the first.

Despite some hiccups, EA Sports head Peter Moore says that he and the EA brass are still "great believers in the Wii." He notes that the publisher has seen the most success on the platform with "specific experiences that are built around that consumer." He then announced EA Sports Mall Walker ... kidding!

JoystiqEA Sports Active earned publisher $125 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessNintendoWiiWed, 03 Mar 2010 22:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Wii/DSi accessory bundles announced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/ea-sports-wii-dsi-accessory-bundles-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/ea-sports-wii-dsi-accessory-bundles-announced/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/16/ea-sports-wii-dsi-accessory-bundles-announced/#comments Because your EA Sports games need that extra oomph, EA has signed a deal with Sakar International to produce a lineup of attachments for your Wiimote and -- wait, DSi? Sure enough, the press release mentions "realistic-looking EA Sports golf clubs, tennis rackets and baseball bats for the Wii and Nintendo DSi as well as fitness gear for use with EA Sports Active" as part of a deal EA announced last month.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 and 11 on Wii will get a series of golf club attachments for kids on up to adults -- extendable up to 24 or 36 inches depending on the set you acquire -- and Sekar will also offer baseball and racquet accessories for other Wii games like Grand Slam Tennis. As for the DSi, the press release mentions five-in-one carrying kits themed around football, baseball, basketball and soccer -- each kit will include a game case, skin, stylus, and clip-on earphones or headphones.

Then there's the EA Sports Active stuff, which comes in two flavors: Starter Kit and Gym Kit. The first will retail for $19.99 and comes with a Wii Balance Board bag, yoga mat, fitness cord, armband and legbands, while the Gym Kit will set you back a bit more at $39.99 and includes a gym bag, yoga mat with a fitness cord and wrist and ankle weights.

While we can't really comment on these proposed attachments without at least seeing them first, we just hope EA reads the internet every now and then. Some attachments are great, while others are just a painful memory you wish you could forget.

JoystiqEA Sports Wii/DSi accessory bundles announced originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsiEAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessgrand-slam-tennisnintendo-dsisakar-internationaltiger-woodstiger-woods-10tiger-woods-pga-tour-10tiger-woods-pga-tour-11Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Two EA Sports Active games due Holiday 2010]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/two-ea-sports-active-games-due-holiday-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/two-ea-sports-active-games-due-holiday-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/08/two-ea-sports-active-games-due-holiday-2010/#comments Just before today's sure to be thrilling investor's call, EA released a fact sheet to the folks gearing up for the hour-plus finance-a-thon -- a fact sheet that revealed two "TBA" EA Sports Active games set for release on consoles in the third quarter of the company's fiscal 2011 (October 1 through December 31, 2010, in human being time).

We've yet to hear anything on a new EA Sports Active title for the Wii, though we did hear some rumblings at E3 last year that the franchise would be headed to Sony and Microsoft's respective motion-based outings. And considering the unannounced titles are set for release in line with the announced release of Microsoft's Project Natal, and perhaps just after the PlayStation Motion Controller, there's a good chance that these pending EA Sports Active releases are for those platforms -- maybe one for Natal and one PlayStation; or one for Natal and Playstation and one for Wii.

JoystiqTwo EA Sports Active games due Holiday 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arceaEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessNintendoplaystation-arcplaystation-motion-controllerproject-natalq4-2010release-dateWiiMon, 08 Feb 2010 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[NPD: DJ Hero best-selling new IP of '09, by revenue only]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/npd-dj-hero-best-selling-new-ip-of-2009-by-revenue-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/npd-dj-hero-best-selling-new-ip-of-2009-by-revenue-only/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/npd-dj-hero-best-selling-new-ip-of-2009-by-revenue-only/#comments Activision has announced that DJ Hero was "the #1 new intellectual property by revenue in the U.S. and Europe for calendar 2009, according to the NPD Group." Lest you sped through that proclamation, take note of the two key words: "by revenue" -- in other words, the total amount of money spent by consumers. Considering DJ Hero debuted at $120 for the standard turntable bundle and $200 for the Renegade Edition, it's no wonder that it managed to bring in the most money (though not necessarily the most profit, and certainly not the most units sold for a new franchise).

NPD representative Anita Frazier clarified for Joystiq the performance of last year's new IPs in terms of actual unit sales. As you might have guessed, DJ Hero wasn't quite #1 in that category, but managed a respectable 789,000 units in U.S. sales. Still, it was soundly outsold by other new IPs, including Borderlands and Dragon Age: Origins, which sold 1.11 million and 1.14 million units, respectively. Besting them all, however, was EA Sports Active, which amassed 1.2 million units sold.

And get this, if we consider new IPs that launched before 2009, then Wii Play and Wii Fit were technically the best-selling new IPs in 2009 in terms of unit sales and revenue, according to the NPD.

Finally, we should point out -- as did Frazier -- that NPD data only covers the U.S., despite Activision's claim that the group provided European sales data regarding DJ Hero.

JoystiqNPD: DJ Hero best-selling new IP of '09, by revenue only originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>borderlandsdj-herodragon-age-originsEAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessMicrosoftNintendonpdsalesWiiXbox-360Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active price pretty slim on Amazon today]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/ea-sports-active-price-pretty-slim-on-amazon-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/ea-sports-active-price-pretty-slim-on-amazon-today/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/ea-sports-active-price-pretty-slim-on-amazon-today/#comments If you're among those who resolved both to lose weight and procrastinate more in 2010, you've got a perfectly opportunity to belatedly begin your regimen today with Amazon's Gold Box deal: EA Sports Active. The fat-fighting gamercise is available for $40 right now, $20 less than its usual price.

It's a shame to have to break one of your resolutions to keep another one, but you sadly can't procrastinate too much on this deal: It'll disappear by day's end.

JoystiqEA Sports Active price pretty slim on Amazon today originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonamazon-gold-boxEAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessThu, 07 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: EA Sports working on manly football fitness game for men]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/rumor-ea-sports-working-on-manly-football-fitness-game-for-men/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/rumor-ea-sports-working-on-manly-football-fitness-game-for-men/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/29/rumor-ea-sports-working-on-manly-football-fitness-game-for-men/#comments
EA Sports Active may be fine for the ladies, but we want to get trim with more manly pursuits, like lumbercraft and bronzemanship. According to a rumor posted by Destructoid, we may just get our wish. The site reports that, according to sources close to the project, EA Sports is creating NFL Trainer for Wii, which will help players work on their technique and get fit with a variety of football drills.
As if that weren't manly enough, there's talk of an included football peripheral to plug your Wiimote into. Can you imagine the rush of pretend-throwing the old virtual prolate spheroid down the e-gridiron? If that's not enough to put hair on your chest, we don't know what is.

JoystiqRumor: EA Sports working on manly football fitness game for men originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-Sportsea-sports-activeEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessfootballnfl-trainerNintendoWiiTue, 29 Dec 2009 17:45:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active stores open in Boston and San Francisco]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/ea-sports-active-stores-open-in-boston-and-san-francisco/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/ea-sports-active-stores-open-in-boston-and-san-francisco/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/ea-sports-active-stores-open-in-boston-and-san-francisco/#commentsIf you live in Boston or San Francisco and are curious enough about EA Sports Active to go into a retail store devoted entirely to the fitness game, you're in luck! And maybe you've also learned something about the amount of curiosity you have about EA Sports Active. On November 15, EA opened two EA Sports Active stores, featuring demo units of both Active and the new EA Sports Active: More Workouts, "Active Trainers" who will show attendees how to use the game, and even a supply of games to lend out to visitors so they can try it at home. The stores also take reservations for workout sessions. They'll be open until December 14.

EA invited some bloggers to the Boston location for a tour and a workout. Not us, but fitness bloggers. You know, the people that someone might listen to if they cared about being healthy. Luckily for us, those bloggers took plenty of pictures of the inside of the Boston store. If you'd like to visit, the addresses of the stores are posted after the break.

Continue reading EA Sports Active stores open in Boston and San Francisco

JoystiqEA Sports Active stores open in Boston and San Francisco originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualEAEA-SportsEA-Sports-Activeea-sports-active-more-workoutsEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessNintendoWiiTue, 17 Nov 2009 23:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Get a cheap Personal Trainer: Walking without walking too far]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/get-a-cheap-personal-trainer-walking-without-walking-too-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/get-a-cheap-personal-trainer-walking-without-walking-too-far/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/get-a-cheap-personal-trainer-walking-without-walking-too-far/#commentsIf you hope to save all of your footsteps for entry into Personal Trainer: Walking -- really make them count by having them tabulated by a video game -- this Amazon deal is perfect for you. The game, with two Activity Meters, is Amazon's Deal of the Day for $29.98.

You may have to do some uncounted walking to pick it up (trips to the mailbox or the front door, a small amount of day-to-day movement until it arrives), but at least you don't have to walk around a store to pick it up, dooming yourself to several steps that don't contribute to a running total on your DS.

JoystiqGet a cheap Personal Trainer: Walking without walking too far originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazondeal-of-the-dayexercisepersonal-trainer-walkingTue, 17 Nov 2009 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Fitness group 'underwhelmed' by Wii Fit exercises]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/fitness-group-underwhelmed-by-wii-fit-exercises/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/fitness-group-underwhelmed-by-wii-fit-exercises/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/11/11/fitness-group-underwhelmed-by-wii-fit-exercises/#comments The American Council on Exercise recently conducted a study on the effectiveness of Nintendo's Wii Fit, and was "underwhelmed" by the results (PDF link). The study examined what the ACE dubbed to be the "most aerobically challenging activities," including the Free Run, Island Run, Super Hula Hoop, Free Step, Advanced Step and Rhythm Boxing. The study found that Free Run burned the most calories, averaging at 165 calories burned during a thirty-minute session. The next highest was Rhythm Boxing at 114, not exactly the fat-melting miracle one might hope for. Said Dr. John Porcari, "The Wii Fit is a very, very mild workout."

The ACE noted that performing the real-life activity -- real boxing, step aerobics, running, etc. -- burns significantly more calories than their Wii Fit counterparts. As an example, the study notes that traditional boxing burns three times as many calories as Rhythm Boxing. That said, the study did note that Wii Fit burns twice as many calories as normal video games, and that's got to count for something.

Still, if you're looking to really feel the burn, the study concluded that Wii Sports "is a better option" for gamers looking to find a decent workout.

Source - ACEFitness.org -- Wii Fit - Or Just a Wee Bit? (PDF)

JoystiqFitness group 'underwhelmed' by Wii Fit exercises originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aceAmerican-Council-On-ExerciseexercisefitnessnintendoWiiwii-fitWed, 11 Nov 2009 06:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Change 4 Life campaign endorsing Wii Fit Plus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/change-4-life-campaign-endorsing-wii-fit-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/change-4-life-campaign-endorsing-wii-fit-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/change-4-life-campaign-endorsing-wii-fit-plus/#commentsThe Change 4 Life ad campaign gathered early attention with the shocking connection between sedentary activities like games and "AN EARLY DEATH." Then it softened the message a bit with the more positive suggestion that "active" video games would be a healthy move. Now, the initiative is getting its exercise with vigorous backpedaling, as it will actually endorse a video game, giving permission to use its logo in advertising. Of course, that game is Wii Fit Plus.

"We are thrilled that active videogames are finally being recognised by the Government for contributing to a healthy, balanced lifestyle," ELSPA's Mike Rawlinson said. Rawlinson revealed that ELSPA has been working with the UK government since the first Change 4 Life ad to get some fairer recognition for games, and apparently the Change 4 Life folks finally got tired of hearing about it came to their senses.

JoystiqChange 4 Life campaign endorsing Wii Fit Plus originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>change-4-lifeelspaexerciseNintendoukWiiwii-fit-plusMon, 26 Oct 2009 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Joyswag: Get your exercise on with Wii Fit Plus & Active Life Extreme Challenge]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/joyswag-get-your-exercise-on-with-wii-fit-plus-and-active-life-ex/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/joyswag-get-your-exercise-on-with-wii-fit-plus-and-active-life-ex/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/26/joyswag-get-your-exercise-on-with-wii-fit-plus-and-active-life-ex/#comments
As we approach the colder months of the year here at Joystiq HQ, we like to fool ourselves by picking up the latest Wiinovations in the world of game-based exercise equipment, knowing wholeheartedly that they'll never end up getting much use. This year, however, we figured we would extend that same ideological principle to you. We hope that your moral certitude will employ Wii Fit Plus and Active Life Extreme Challenge (it's totally extreme) more than we would! We'll be picking a winner for this enticing exercise pack at random from the folks who comment below -- all you have to do is tell us your favorite exercise fad of all time. Get those finger muscles moving!
  • Leave a comment telling us your favorite exercise fad of all time.
  • You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec, largely due to Celine Dion)
  • Limit 1 entry per person per day
  • This entry period ends at 2:31PM ET on Monday, November 2
  • At that time, we'll randomly select one winner to receive a copy of Wii Fit Plus ($20 ARV) and Active Life Extreme Challenge ($60 ARV)
  • For a list of complete rules, click here

JoystiqJoyswag: Get your exercise on with Wii Fit Plus & Active Life Extreme Challenge originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>active-lifeactive-life-extreme-challengeactivisionexercisegiveawayjoyswagwii-fitwii-fit-plusMon, 26 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Finally, a Wii exercise game with a bicycle accessory]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/finally-a-wii-exercise-game-with-a-bicycle-accessory/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/finally-a-wii-exercise-game-with-a-bicycle-accessory/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/12/finally-a-wii-exercise-game-with-a-bicycle-accessory/#commentsYou may see a Wii exercise bike accessory and think it's ridiculous. We think it's about time. Not because there's never been an exercise bike controller before, but because there has. The Life Fitness Exertainment System did the video game/exercise bike interface back in 1994, allowing players to pedal along with Mountain Bike Rally or Speed Racer. However, you had to order the thing, and it cost around $3500.

While the bike accessory with Big Ben Interactive's Cyberbike has yet to be priced, we are certain it'll carry a more modest price point than the Life Fitness system. Unless the company has to make back what it'll lose when Ubisoft sues it for calling its other newly-announced exercise game My Body Coach.

JoystiqFinally, a Wii exercise game with a bicycle accessory originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cyberbikeexerciseexergamingmy-body-coachMon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active inspires 'More Workouts' with success stories trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/ea-sports-active-inspires-more-workouts-with-success-stories-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/ea-sports-active-inspires-more-workouts-with-success-stories-t/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/17/ea-sports-active-inspires-more-workouts-with-success-stories-t/#comments The newest trailer for EA Sports' upcoming Active line More Workouts retail expansion is live (after the break) and features some heartwarming stories. Well, heartwarming might be a strong word but it definitely features people wearing EA logo shirts describing how EA Sports Active is the best thing to happen to them since the discovery of Pringles.

EA Sports Active: More Workouts hits stores this November. The new version of the exercise title includes over 30 new workouts and a new six week challenge mode, which can be customized for personal tastes.

Continue reading EA Sports Active inspires 'More Workouts' with success stories trailer

JoystiqEA Sports Active inspires 'More Workouts' with success stories trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-Activeea-sports-active-more-workoutsEA-VancoverElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessmore-workoutsThu, 17 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Fit Plus out Oct. 4 at a svelte $20 price point]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/wii-fit-plus-out-oct-4-at-a-svelte-20-price-point/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/wii-fit-plus-out-oct-4-at-a-svelte-20-price-point/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/09/01/wii-fit-plus-out-oct-4-at-a-svelte-20-price-point/#commentsDuring his keynote at the GameStop Manager Conference, Nintendo president Reggie Fils-Aime announced release details for Nintendo's latest money generator, Wii Fit Plus. Current Wii Fit owners looking to add more arm-flapping and faux-Segwaying to their lives will be able to pick up the expanded version of the hit exercise game for just $19.99 on October 4.

For new owners, a Wii Fit Plus bundle will replace the existing Wii Fit bundle, which makes sense given that it's the exact same game with added content. The Wii Fit Plus/Balance Board package will retail for $99.99.

Gallery: Wii Fit Plus (Wii)

JoystiqWii Fit Plus out Oct. 4 at a svelte $20 price point originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exercisegamestop-manager-conference-2009NintendoWiiwii-fitwii-fit-plusTue, 01 Sep 2009 00:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Fitness First competing with, supporting Wii Fit]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/fitness-first-competing-with-supporting-wii-fit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/fitness-first-competing-with-supporting-wii-fit/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/24/fitness-first-competing-with-supporting-wii-fit/#commentsThe Fitness First gym chain, not content to allow Gold's Gym to dominate the licensed Wii exercise game market, has attached its name to both a Wii game and peripherals. Releasing in Europe this September, NewU Fitness First Personal Trainer includes not just exercise programs but a healthy eating guide as well.

In addition, the company has partnered with European accessories manufacturer Blaze to, well, put its name on some standard Wii exercise accessories. The offerings include a silicone Balance Board skin, a yoga mat, a Wiimote holder that straps onto the player's leg, and wrist weights. Oddly, this stuff is all labeled for use with Wii Fit, suggesting a realistic understanding of what people will actually be using it for. The total lack of a consistent marketing campaign suggests just how much thought is going into this. Why not put your own game's name on the accessories?

[Via MCV]

JoystiqFitness First competing with, supporting Wii Fit originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blazeeuropeexercisefitness-firstnewuMon, 24 Aug 2009 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active gets More Workouts Nov. 17]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/ea-sports-active-gets-more-workouts-nov-17/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/ea-sports-active-gets-more-workouts-nov-17/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/20/ea-sports-active-gets-more-workouts-nov-17/#comments We've always thought slapping a number at the end of a title is a pretty unoriginal way to name a sequel, but EA has lowered the bar, perhaps even digging out a bar-shaped hole in the soft earth below and jamming said bar down into it with EA Sports Active More Workouts. Yeah, that's the real name. EA Sports Active ... but more.

The expansion's 35 new exercises -- like water skiing and paddle surfing -- will focus on abs and add a warm-up and cool down feature. Look for EA to strike a blow against creative nomenclature on November 17.

JoystiqEA Sports Active gets More Workouts Nov. 17 originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-Activeea-sports-active-more-workoutsEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseexpansionFitnessmore-workoutsNintendoWiiThu, 20 Aug 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Activism: Moore 'delighted' to talk to female gamers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/activism-moore-delighted-to-talk-to-female-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/activism-moore-delighted-to-talk-to-female-gamers/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/13/activism-moore-delighted-to-talk-to-female-gamers/#comments Speaking at the Edinburgh Interactive Conference this week, Peter Moore explained how EA Sports changed its business strategy in order to address a growing female demographic. According to Moore, the arrival of the Wii changed everything, thanks to its focus on gameplay over graphics. "We didn't even have arms any more, never mind superior graphics," says more, adding that games "became more about getting up off the couch." This led EA Sports to change its business model.

Moore notes that EA pulled in $150 million "by talking to the female consumer and providing a solution to someone who perhaps can't get to a gym, or afford one, through EA Sports Active." He adds that it's "not only great business" for EA, but it's "changing people's lives through a game." He concludes that EA is "delighted" to be talking to girls and women.

We'll bet the company is delighted. So delighted that it "indefinitely" delayed the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions Grand Slam Tennis in order to push out an expansion for EA Sports Active.

JoystiqActivism: Moore 'delighted' to talk to female gamers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessEAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessNintendopeter-mooreWiiThu, 13 Aug 2009 20:40:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active player base split evenly between men and women]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ea-sports-active-player-base-split-evenly-between-men-and-women/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ea-sports-active-player-base-split-evenly-between-men-and-women/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/11/ea-sports-active-player-base-split-evenly-between-men-and-women/#comments As you likely noticed if you've turned on a TV in the past few months, EA Sports Active is being marketed pretty heavily towards the female demographic. So you can imagine the company's surprise when, as they told us earlier today, customer satisfaction surveys from its research group indicated that the Active audience was split evenly between men and women.

"Although we focused our marketing campaign on women, EA Sports Active was designed to accommodate everyone and our consumer base reflects that," Monique Gomel, marketing director for the game, told us.

Unfortunately, there's no way to tell if this is a case of EA not reaching the women it's after or dudes just wanting to get tiny before they get huge and start wailing on their pecs. Let's hope it's the latter.

JoystiqEA Sports Active player base split evenly between men and women originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessNintendoWiiTue, 11 Aug 2009 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Q1 sales better than expected, still slow]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ea-q1-sales-better-than-expected-still-slow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ea-q1-sales-better-than-expected-still-slow/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ea-q1-sales-better-than-expected-still-slow/#comments We've been hearing recession tales of woe for months now in the video game industry. Today is no different, as EA is posting a net loss of $234 million for its financial Q1 sales year over year versus $95 million in losses during the same quarter last year. Unsurprisingly, titles like The Sims 3 and EA Sports Active -- you know, EA's best selling Wii game ever -- helped to boost sales, but overall game sales were lower "due to slowed hardware sales."

Don't worry, though, as EA promises four new IPs for the holiday season (Dante's Inferno, Dragon Age: Origins, Brütal Legend and, presumably, Saboteur) and predicts increased revenue with tiny little titles like The Beatles: Rock Band and Madden 10 landing in the next few months. (We were so worried.)

JoystiqEA Q1 sales better than expected, still slow originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brutal-legenddantes-infernodragon-age-originsEAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessleft-4-dead-2madden-10Nintendothe-beatles-rock-bandthe-sims-3WiiTue, 04 Aug 2009 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active is EA's best-selling Wii game ever]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ea-sports-active-is-eas-best-selling-wii-game-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ea-sports-active-is-eas-best-selling-wii-game-ever/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/ea-sports-active-is-eas-best-selling-wii-game-ever/#commentsThrowing stuff at stuff is okay, but what Wii owners really like is stretching. That's the takeaway we've gleaned from EA's quarterly financial results, which reveal that EA Sports Active, selling "over 1.8 million copies in the quarter," is not just a genuine hit -- it's the publisher's best-selling Wii title to date.

If EA hadn't already announced that expansions and versions for other consoles were coming out, now is right about when we would say "there are totally going to be sequels to this." Although, we suppose, technically, the second EA Sports released a game was the second we knew there'd be another one in a year.

JoystiqEA Sports Active is EA's best-selling Wii game ever originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverearningsElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessNintendoWiiTue, 04 Aug 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[New dieting app uses DSi camera for time-lapse humiliation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/new-dieting-app-uses-dsi-camera-for-time-lapse-humiliation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/new-dieting-app-uses-dsi-camera-for-time-lapse-humiliation/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/new-dieting-app-uses-dsi-camera-for-time-lapse-humiliation/#commentsNamco Bandai's DSiWare fitness app, Diet Memo, has been officially revealed, after the title showed up in the original Namco Bandai DSiWare announcement back in February. Non-game diet stuff might not be the most exciting thing in the world, but this one at least seems to be implemented smartly.

Diet Memo uses the DSi camera extensively, for before-and-after photos of your stomach and other areas in which you hope to lose weight. You can also snap pictures of food you've eaten and annotate them with calorie data. According to Andriasang, the game can store up to ten meals a day for 90 days, though if you're eating ten meals a day, you may not need such a sophisticated weight loss product (here's your new plan: don't do that).

It also lets players record their weight twice a day, providing a graph of the long-term changes in weight and body fat. This can be exported to CSV and transferred to a computer via SD card, so players can obsessively chart their own stats -- which is both really creepy and very helpful for dieting. Diet Memo will be out tomorrow in Japan.

[Via Gpara, Andriasang]

JoystiqNew dieting app uses DSi camera for time-lapse humiliation originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diet-memodsiwareexercisefitnessjapannamco-bandaiTue, 04 Aug 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Pediatric journal boasts about benefits of exergaming]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/pediatric-journal-boasts-benefits-of-exergaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/pediatric-journal-boasts-benefits-of-exergaming/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/19/pediatric-journal-boasts-benefits-of-exergaming/#comments
Kids-focused health journal Pediatrics recently published a study that would shock those who decry the health benefits of exergames. The study, which was performed by researchers from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, measured young people's energy expenditure while at rest, while playing Dance Dance Revolution at two different skill levels, while walking and running on a treadmill and while boxing and bowling on Wii Sports. That sounds like more physical exertion than we go through in a year.

Some of the comparisons between these activities yielded somewhat unsurprising results -- playing the video games burned three times the calories the kids spent at rest, of course. However, the researchers also found that playing these games was a comparable activity to "moderate to intense walking," despite the fact that Wii Sports requires little lower-body movement. It seems that for the first time in recent memory, we've got science on our side. Hooray!

[Via Kotaku]

JoystiqPediatric journal boasts about benefits of exergaming originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddrexerciseexergaminghealthpediatricssciencestudywii-sportsSun, 19 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Moore says Metacritic not so relevant to Wii sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/moore-says-metacritic-not-so-relevant-to-wii-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/moore-says-metacritic-not-so-relevant-to-wii-sales/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/10/moore-says-metacritic-not-so-relevant-to-wii-sales/#comments We've heard stories of PR reps and devs obsessing over Metacritic scores, but EA Sports' Peter Moore's not sweating them, at least when it comes to Wii games. Noting that some titles in the low 70s can still move millions upon millions of units, Moore says that the people buying casual games and health titles like EA Sports Active aren't getting their info from Metacritic.

Moore's bigger concern? User reviews on Amazon. We'd like to snicker, but that's how we buy vacuums, so what do we know?

JoystiqMoore says Metacritic not so relevant to Wii sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonEAEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessmetacriticNintendopeter-mooreWiiWed, 10 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010: Not just last year's game with a new number]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/jillian-michaels-fitness-ultimatum-2010-not-just-last-years-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/jillian-michaels-fitness-ultimatum-2010-not-just-last-years-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/09/jillian-michaels-fitness-ultimatum-2010-not-just-last-years-ga/#commentsMajesco could have easily coasted through two or three yearly installments of Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum based on the success of the first one. It could have chosen to stick a few new challenges in the same engine, bring Ms. Michaels in to record a few new lines and profit off of its minimal investment. But according to Michaels, Majesco went beyond that for the sequel to the game you probably ... know someone who played.

"We went with a different developer this time around," the Biggest Loser star told USA Today's Game Hunters blog, "and now it's much easier to get around the interface, it looks much better and if you like, I can now train you, too." Ultimatum 2010 also includes a Spanish-language option and new multiplayer modes. "

Other new features include the option to play in English and Spanish, multiplayer competitions and using a training calendar to set various fitness goals (be it weight loss, toning or strengthening). "The biggest thing I'm excited about is the fact it's now a 'game,'" Michaels said. "It feels like an adventure as you're on a remote island and must compete in boot camp-like activities and traverse through dangerous obstacle courses."

While we're not going to take statements from the person whose name is on the game at face value, it does sound like Majesco is putting actual effort into this sequel. Whatever you think of this kind of product (we know), at least it's not as much of a cash-in as ... it could be.

JoystiqJillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010: Not just last year's game with a new number originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exercisejillian-michaelsjillian-michaels-fitness-ultimatum-2010majescoTue, 09 Jun 2009 13:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Hands-on (and flapping like wings): Wii Fit Plus]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-and-flapping-like-wings-wii-fit-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-and-flapping-like-wings-wii-fit-plus/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/08/hands-on-and-flapping-like-wings-wii-fit-plus/#commentsWhile the idea of leaning on a board and waving a stick around may no longer carry an inherent wow factor after everyone has introduced a motion controller, it's clear from just a few minutes with Nintendo's Wii Fit Plus that the company has been thinking of new ways to use its existing technology in gameplay. We weren't allowed to demo the new strength or yoga exercises in the expanded version of the megahit Wii exercise game -- thus sparing a crowd of gaming's best and brightest the sight of us stretching -- but the new balance games were open to us.

Gallery: Wii Fit Plus (Wii)

Continue reading Hands-on (and flapping like wings): Wii Fit Plus

JoystiqHands-on (and flapping like wings): Wii Fit Plus originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balance-boarde3-2009exerciseNintendoWiiwii-fitwii-fit-plusMon, 08 Jun 2009 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports already working on Active for Natal/PS3 Motion Controller]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/ea-sports-already-working-on-active-for-natal-ps3-motion-control/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/ea-sports-already-working-on-active-for-natal-ps3-motion-control/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/04/ea-sports-already-working-on-active-for-natal-ps3-motion-control/#comments EA Sports is the very definition of an early adopter. During a lengthy interview with us, the company's Peter Moore confirmed that his teams were working on how to bring the mega-successful EA Sports Active franchise to PS3 and 360, taking advantage of the PS3 Motion Controller and Project Natal respectively.

"Absolutely," Moore said. "Natal is the perfect example of what you could do there. If you could imagine EA Sports Active done via Natal ... and we are working on that right now, we saw Natal a couple months ago and we started thinking about how we could bring health/wellness and fitness to a Natal-type experience. Same with Sony with the motion controller, how can you utilize what they showed on Tuesday to bring fitness to that. But I think Natal is a huge opportunity."

JoystiqEA Sports already working on Active for Natal/PS3 Motion Controller originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2009EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessMicrosoftNintendoWiiXbox-360Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active gets active in extracting money from wallets]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/ea-sports-active-gets-active-in-extracting-money-from-wallets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/ea-sports-active-gets-active-in-extracting-money-from-wallets/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/ea-sports-active-gets-active-in-extracting-money-from-wallets/#comments EA Sports was very happy to announce today that it's Wii fitness bundle EA Sports Active had a tremendously successful start, selling over 600,000 copies since its May 19 release. In case you were wondering why EA was so quick to put out an expansion, yeah, that's why. It's not like the company desperately wants you to lose those love handles, you know.

JoystiqEA Sports Active gets active in extracting money from wallets originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessNintendoWiiMon, 01 Jun 2009 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[EA Sports Active expansion out this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/ea-sports-active-expansion-out-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/ea-sports-active-expansion-out-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/ea-sports-active-expansion-out-this-holiday/#commentsEA Sports Active seems to be quite the hit! So much so that, like the resistance bands that ship with the disc, the game is due for expansion. Even though the game just came out May 19, EA has already announced the first expansion pack. It's coming "this holiday, just in time to help you with your New Year's resolutions."

If you resolve to buy more fitness games this year, EA wants to help! Peter Moore did say EA Sports Active was a "platform."

JoystiqEA Sports Active expansion out this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EAEA-SportsEA-Sports-ActiveEA-VancoverElectronic-ArtsElectronic-Arts-VancouverExerciseFitnessNintendoWiiMon, 01 Jun 2009 18:05:00 EST