A treadmill for walking/climbing, a weighted handle for sword-play, weights for lifting objects–what other direct physical mechanisms could make game play a) more realistic and b) better exercise?
I can’t be the only one thinking this, so post a link if there is already such an interface.
I’ve long contended that if a treadmill or exercycle were necessary to TV operation, our (collective) children would be in much better shape and generally healthier.
Disclaimer: IANAGamer, so my knowledge of current hardware is pretty limited.
This has already been done, on the Super Nintendo over a decade ago. There was a 3Dish version of Pac-Man even, where the faster you pedaled, the faster he’d run.
The two biggest hurdles were 1) Price and 2) Few people want to play a game that’s physically demanding after a long day of work/school.
I think this game is called Tae Kwon Do, I think anyway not sure.
but seriously think of how much room a tread mill takes up, now put it in the middle of your living room with some radon bits and pieces that are heavy and I would have to guess on a shelf of some kind attached to said tread mill…ugly as sin and huge.
I’ve got this totally badass video game like that. It’s called an electronic drum kit. When you hit the pads and pedals they sound like real drums. I guess it’s not a video game, more of an audio game, but video games can be really boring and limited, and this one doesn’t require a tv.
PS The nintendo power pad for the NES did this. You stepped on the mat - the faster you stepped, the faster your guy would run. The game that went along with it was an olympic one. The mat was foldable. I guess the closest thing to this currently is Dance dance revolution.
Wii sports can be a serious workout, especially boxing.
But the point of games is that they’re fun. Playing a game where I run around a vast fantasy continent, slaying evil beasts and whatnot: fun. Actually having to run and swing some heavy thing: not fun. If i wanted to run, I’d go to the park and run. The game simulates things I can’t do (slaying fantasy beasts in a fantasy environment) while automating the things I can already do (run and swing sticks).
I wouldn’t blame the TV/Video Games for out fat lazy children. Blame the fat lazy parents who let their kids get fat and lazy on TV/Video Games.
Oh, wow, the NES Power Pad. I had one of those, they were great. The main game that used it was World Class Track Meet, which usually came bundled in the same cartridge as Super Mario Brothers and Duck Hunt. The only downside was that it was extremely easy to cheat at the long jump or hurdles (you could just step off of the mat to suspend your athlete in the air for as long as you wanted), but the running aspect implored you to EARN your victory, rather than just press a certain button really fast.
I was the master at World Class Track Meet. The trick, you see, is not to run, but to stomp on the mat really fast with the balls of your feet, never lifting them more than an inch or two.
Actually, I wasn’t blaming TV or video games, but rather suggesting that a system that encouraged exercise would improve the general health of the younger population. It would probably be good for older generations as well.
It’s not a thought process of “People are fat & lazy because…” but rather “Some simple exercise motivation might be…”
Ah, here we get to the crux, I think. Running in the park is not fun, because you’re not slaying fantasy beasts. I totally agree with that! Doing the treadmill at home isn’t much fun either, because it’s boring! Wouldn’t a workout be more fun if you were climbing Everest to confer with the Guru who gives you a quest to save the princess and then you have to run to escape the bad guys? Yes!
I’m not saying it would be for everybody. Individuals will always make their own decisions (or parents will decide for their kids).
I am aware of Dance Dance Revolution and Wii. That’s the sort of thing I’m talking about. Didn’t know about the NES Power Pad. It sounds great. but perhaps needs an update. As a non-Gamer, I was not aware that the Wii provided a reasonable workout. Excellent!
On the flip side, it’s possible that the non-update of the Power Pad tells us that people didn’t get all that excited about the concept in the first place.
