Sony - Drop the Fitness Bomb!

Given the success of a lot of the "fitness" games, particularly on the Wii, people have been looking to the video game industry for lifestyle solutions. Of course, most by now are aware that the much hyped Wii Fit is completely inadequate as a substitute for more traditional forms of exercise, unless you're trying to conquer your crippling vertigo by performing feats of balance. No doubt Sony and Microsoft will be trying to move in on this market, but I think Sony's in a unique position to really push the limits of the genre, given some of its more adult-oriented features, like Blu Ray playback and casual, "artistic" games.

But I think Sony could reach out to even more of the mature market by entering an agreement with fitness equipment manufacturers to create treadmills and ellipticals. While this might seem prohibitively expensive, these things often go for less than $200 at the low end, and the ability to walk and run using the treadmill would not only be a great way to exercise, but would add an unprecedented layer of interactivity. And let's not forget that the market of 30 year olds and up is particularly lucrative; they have money to burn on a fancy console and fitness equipment.

It's just a thought I had, but something I'd like to see, and have been surprised not to see yet. The input method surely wouldn't be too expensive to add to existing equipment and, although it'd be a risky move for Sony, I think it could be a great marketing ploy, especially since their marketing up to this point seems to have advertised the Playstation 3 more as a fashion accessory than a game console.

The future of gaming is an exciting prospect but we're seeing more and more reasons to push ahead faster. Nintendo has seen success with non-traditional controls and I think Sony (or Microsoft, although its console is more geared toward teens and young adults) could move a lot of consoles for people looking for a Blu Ray player and a more interesting way to exercise.

Okay my bad I didn't realize people were so adamantly opposed to moving.

Gamers...

Do you people read? Unless you're over 30, the premise of the topic isn't pertinent to you.

Okay my bad I didn't realize people were so adamantly opposed to moving.

Gamers...

OrwellJames

but like mentioned it is a good idea just not to ALOT of gamers, if i or anyone who agrees with me wants to work out they would go to their gym or college gym(if they go to college) which is free there and work out there. wii are running out of ideas and they makin as much as they can of the wii so when time is up they got nothin up their sleeves but a new gen Nintendo system.

One of my favorite movie scenes is in The Island where Lincoln Six Echo is kickboxing with Jordon Two Delta with this futuristic xbox where they each stand behind glass and perform the moves, while virtualizations of themselves kick each other in the face. If what Nintendo is doing now leads to something like that, I'm all for it. However, I don't need or want a work-out every time I play video games, and certainly don't want to see every system go in that direction.

Okay my bad I didn't realize people were so adamantly opposed to moving.

Gamers...

OrwellJames

I see where your coming from, but its a little bit contradictory. People play games because they like them, i cant think of a way to properly integrate fitness with gaming. its the same market as home exercise videos, so until virtual reality games are made i dont think there is as big a market for this as we are led to believe. Just my thoughts everyone is entitled to their own:)

I don't get it - what is your actual point. How is a treadmill and elliptical integrated? You hook it up to the ps3 and what.... you regenerate life the faster you walk? The PS3 tracks your workout the same way that ALREADY exists in better treadmills and elliptical?

I am not against some integration with workouts, I am just wondering what kind of integration beyond connecting the two.... Example: Right now I can tie a cord between my pencil and keyboard - doesn't make it a stylus nor does it make the screen a touch-screen...

I don't get it - what is your actual point. How is a treadmill and elliptical integrated? You hook it up to the ps3 and what.... you regenerate life the faster you walk? The PS3 tracks your workout the same way that ALREADY exists in better treadmills and elliptical?

I am not against some integration with workouts, I am just wondering what kind of integration beyond connecting the two.... Example: Right now I can tie a cord between my pencil and keyboard - doesn't make it a stylus nor does it make the screen a touch-screen...

svenskamerikan

well put... you sound a little angry but a good point none the less:P

Sorry should have added a few smiley faces :) 8)

As I said I like the idea of both new exercise programs and integration of existing things, I just don't see where the treadmill fits...

i skimmed your comment with hopes to find 'jk' at the end, but that did not happen. all i can say is bite your tongue. sony needs to concentrate on great games like MGS4, Uncharted and KZ2 not some gimmicky fitness trend. sorry, but this thread = fail

treadmills??fitness??? wat are you crazy??? we want to play games not get a workout. and the only ppl who are buying that crap are mothers who unfortunately outnumber gamers. Fitness games pfft....id rather go and play my old classic games again than waste my time on thatreaver-x

for them to do it right, they would have to produce expensive equipment. lord knows the ps3 does not need more expensive anything...

PS3's fitness idea:

you pop in the disc, a message appears "Get off your ass!" then it shuts down the system.

Well considering that the US is amongst the most overweight countries in the world, especially amongst children, I can see how adapting fitness equipment to gaming systems could be a good idea. However, this is gaming forum and most people typing here are probably overweight, breathing heavily, and sweating right about now. So of course most people here would not likethe idea. But mothers would most likely be the ones making such a purchase for their kids, too bad they don't frequent these forums perdiodically. I think that there is a market for it, i mean theres this whole being "green" and staying "healthy" movement going on so it could potentially work. Theres no need to attack the thread starter, its a good topic, just not the right forums for it, or should I say, the right audience lol. Just my 2cents.

I don't really see how walking on an elliptical translating to walking on a screen would be somehow more gimmicky than the existing Wii controls; the concept allows integration with existing games that the Wii Fit simply can't boast. I just think that Sony needs to consider the markets it hasn't yet tapped at this point, rather than trying to control the 12-25 crew, who are going to buy a 360 because its cheaper and offers shallow first party shooters that younger gamers seem to be preoccupied with. Even with the Blu Ray player, now that most Blu Ray players are cheaper than the PS3, adults continue to perceive the platform as something for teenagers and young adults. Furthermore, this concept already exists, although for the most part it's confined to public spaces like theme parks. Nevertheless, this is the type of gimmick that people would ooooooo and awwwwwww at, and it opens the playing things for things like a rowing game that actually uses a rowing machine. I don't really care if any of you would enjoy it, and that's not the point of the thread. Your cries of MOAR KILLZONE 2 only go to show that you want dynamic action with good graphics and little else, in which case, I have no idea why you bought a PS3 in the first place. Go buy a 360 and tell me how amazing Halo is.

I don't really see how walking on an elliptical translating to walking on a screen would be somehow more gimmicky than the existing Wii controls; the concept allows integration with existing games that the Wii Fit simply can't boast. I just think that Sony needs to consider the markets it hasn't yet tapped at this point, rather than trying to control the 12-25 crew, who are going to buy a 360 because its cheaper and offers shallow first party shooters that younger gamers seem to be preoccupied with. Even with the Blu Ray player, now that most Blu Ray players are cheaper than the PS3, adults continue to perceive the platform as something for teenagers and young adults. Furthermore, this concept already exists, although for the most part it's confined to public spaces like theme parks. Nevertheless, this is the type of gimmick that people would ooooooo and awwwwwww at, and it opens the playing things for things like a rowing game that actually uses a rowing machine. I don't really care if any of you would enjoy it, and that's not the point of the thread. Your cries of MOAR KILLZONE 2 only go to show that you want dynamic action with good graphics and little else, in which case, I have no idea why you bought a PS3 in the first place. Go buy a 360 and tell me how amazing Halo is.

OrwellJames

so the real question is who here at this site truly believes that Sony is oblivious to the gaming/fitness trend? i'm sure that most of us with half a mind realize that there is money out there to be made by Sony if a fitness game was implemented well enough, but i for one hope that Sony never goes down this route.

I think fitness games are great, I get so competative with my mates on the wii. Plus I would love sport related control and interaction for the ps3. Golf on the wii is so much better than ps3 and 360, simpoly because there is more interaction. just a shame is looks so bad on wii. That is why if the ps3 branched out into this it would be soo good, great looking games with a ton of features and better control. I'm all for it!

I don't really see how walking on an elliptical translating to walking on a screen would be somehow more gimmicky than the existing Wii controls; the concept allows integration with existing games that the Wii Fit simply can't boast. I just think that Sony needs to consider the markets it hasn't yet tapped at this point, rather than trying to control the 12-25 crew, who are going to buy a 360 because its cheaper and offers shallow first party shooters that younger gamers seem to be preoccupied with. Even with the Blu Ray player, now that most Blu Ray players are cheaper than the PS3, adults continue to perceive the platform as something for teenagers and young adults. Furthermore, this concept already exists, although for the most part it's confined to public spaces like theme parks. Nevertheless, this is the type of gimmick that people would ooooooo and awwwwwww at, and it opens the playing things for things like a rowing game that actually uses a rowing machine. I don't really care if any of you would enjoy it, and that's not the point of the thread. Your cries of MOAR KILLZONE 2 only go to show that you want dynamic action with good graphics and little else, in which case, I have no idea why you bought a PS3 in the first place. Go buy a 360 and tell me how amazing Halo is.

OrwellJames

But the whole reason I'm into gaming is so I don't have to get off my fat arse.

I don't really see how walking on an elliptical translating to walking on a screen would be somehow more gimmicky than the existing Wii controls; the concept allows integration with existing games that the Wii Fit simply can't boast. I just think that Sony needs to consider the markets it hasn't yet tapped at this point, rather than trying to control the 12-25 crew, who are going to buy a 360 because its cheaper and offers shallow first party shooters that younger gamers seem to be preoccupied with. Even with the Blu Ray player, now that most Blu Ray players are cheaper than the PS3, adults continue to perceive the platform as something for teenagers and young adults. Furthermore, this concept already exists, although for the most part it's confined to public spaces like theme parks. Nevertheless, this is the type of gimmick that people would ooooooo and awwwwwww at, and it opens the playing things for things like a rowing game that actually uses a rowing machine. I don't really care if any of you would enjoy it, and that's not the point of the thread. Your cries of MOAR KILLZONE 2 only go to show that you want dynamic action with good graphics and little else, in which case, I have no idea why you bought a PS3 in the first place. Go buy a 360 and tell me how amazing Halo is.

I don't really see how walking on an elliptical translating to walking on a screen would be somehow more gimmicky than the existing Wii controls; the concept allows integration with existing games that the Wii Fit simply can't boast. I just think that Sony needs to consider the markets it hasn't yet tapped at this point, rather than trying to control the 12-25 crew, who are going to buy a 360 because its cheaper and offers shallow first party shooters that younger gamers seem to be preoccupied with. Even with the Blu Ray player, now that most Blu Ray players are cheaper than the PS3, adults continue to perceive the platform as something for teenagers and young adults. Furthermore, this concept already exists, although for the most part it's confined to public spaces like theme parks. Nevertheless, this is the type of gimmick that people would ooooooo and awwwwwww at, and it opens the playing things for things like a rowing game that actually uses a rowing machine. I don't really care if any of you would enjoy it, and that's not the point of the thread. Your cries of MOAR KILLZONE 2 only go to show that you want dynamic action with good graphics and little else, in which case, I have no idea why you bought a PS3 in the first place. Go buy a 360 and tell me how amazing Halo is.