Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Ubisoft steps up videogame fitness with virtual coach
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Asia Pacific
World
Ubisoft steps up videogame fitness with virtual coach
AFP - Monday, November 23
Send
IM Story
Print
Renelly Morel (R), digital marketing manager for Ubisoft, works out with Your Shape on November 6, in San Francisco. French videogame powerhouse Ubisoft will have a virtual fitness coach whipping Wii users into shape. "Your Shape" ramp-up the healthy videogame genre by using a camera to put people on-screen and under the scrutiny of an animated coach devoted to making workouts go strong.
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - – French videogame powerhouse Ubisoft will have a virtual fitness coach whipping Wii users into shape starting Tuesday.
"Your Shape" ramps up the healthy videogame genre with a custom camera that puts people on-screen and under the scrutiny of an animated coach devoted to making workouts go strong.
"This is a great way to personalize a fitness experience," Ubisoft senior vice president of sales and marketing Tony Key told AFP while providing an early glimpse at the videogame in San Francisco.
"We feel we have a great opportunity to take the fitness game to the next level with the camera."
Ubisoft cameras plug into Nintendo Wii videogame consoles so people can see themselves work out and an animated version of Playboy-model-turned-actress Jenny McCarthy can be a coach, leading routines and encouraging proper form.
Each copy of the videogame will be packaged with a camera and carry a price tag of 70 dollars.
Ubisoft's previous fitness games for the Wii require players to use balance boards made by Nintendo. The boards, similar in size and shape to bathroom scales, sense weight and balance.
"It's a completely different approach than what the balance board offers," Key said. "The camera is putting you on the screen and analyzing your movement next to the coach."
During a test of the game by AFP "virtual Jenny" coaxed a player through an aerobics routine, quickly correcting missteps and even offering to take breaks to practice vexing moves.
The game quickly elevated pulse and perspiration. "My Shape" is programmed with more than 500 exercises and lets people customize workouts to suit fitness goals.
"You pick what you want to fix, whether it's 'My arms are too flappy'...'My butt is too big'...'My gut is too flabby," Key said. "It turns out fitness is really desirable."
Ubisoft is unabashedly targeting women with "Your Shape," saying it is due to the success Wii consoles had in winning over Moms who had once shunned videogame consoles as sloth-inducing diversions rife with virtual mayhem.
Wii consoles with revolutionary motion-sensing controllers geared for family-oriented games became marketplace hits after their launch in 2006.
"Moms used to hate games and say that kids would sit on the couch and get fat," said Billy Pidgeon of Game Changer Research. "Nintendo turned around the perception of moms."
Nintendo's own Wii Fit exercise videogames are a mult-billion-dollar franchise, according to Pidgeon.
"Mom is basically the CEO of the house," Key said. "Healthy gaming is a boon for our industry, because it gets approved by Mom."
"Your Shape" is a promising entry in a fast-growing videogame category of "active" titles that get players up and moving, according to Scott Steinberg, lead videogame analyst for DigitalTrends.com
"As the latest high-profile trailblazer for a new breed of lifestyle-relevant videogames designed to appeal to everyday shoppers at large, it's helping to broaden gaming's appeal as a whole," Steinberg said.
"This is the type of game we need more of to help erase old stereotypes," he said. "Whether or not -- like so many Wii Balance Boards -- it ultimately winds up collecting dust mere days after the turkey's tossed out or Christmas lights come down."
Nintendo intends to design other games that take advantage of the camera's ability to put Wii players into on-screen action.
"We aren't going to stop with just fitness games," Key said. "We are going to leverage the camera technology to make all sorts of products. You can certainly do dancing games and let the computer be the judge."
"Your Shape" could also help revive sales of Wii consoles, which have cooled with tough economic conditions and a dearth of hot titles.
Nintendo trimmed the price of Wii consoles to 199 dollars a few months ago in the face of slowing sales.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Cuba film institute founder looks back on 50 years AP - 1 hour 1 minute ago
Winners at the American Music Awards AP - 2 hours 50 minutes ago
Taylor Swift wins five American Music Awards Reuters - Monday, November 23
Sting warns of hydroelectric project in Amazon AP - Monday, November 23
Two hurt as bulls flee Tom Cruise film set AFP - Monday, November 23
News Search
Top Stories
BA warns cabin crew over strike: report
Harnessing the power of salt, Norway tries osmotic power
Spanish PM vows sweeping reforms to boost economy
US economy will 'bounce back': Indian PM
Antarctic ice loss vaster, faster than thought: study
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Crisis forcing hard-up Spaniards to sell their hair
EU recession over, but sharp contrasts in east
First Air France A380 reaches New York
Antarctic ice loss vaster, faster than thought: study
Swine flu vaccine effective despite mutations: experts
More Most Viewed »
Alcohol helps cut heart disease risk for men: study
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Monday, 23 November 2009 Failed N. Ireland car bomb highlights terror threat
Iran releases ex-official on bail in mass trial
Dissidents suspected in N. Ireland bomb attempt
Alleged Iraq bombers offer confessions
Egypt's president warns Israel over Jerusalem
Sudan delays elections by six days
| International
|
Iran wants nuclear fuel guarantees
Saudi troops killed in Yemen rebel clashes: report
| International
|
Iran's Mousavi tells government to end intimidation
Iran's Mousavi tells government to end intimidation
| International
|
Algeria court acquits two ex-Guantanamo detainees
| International
|
Pakistan troops repulse militant attack
Iran begins war games to protect atom sites
RI bishop asked Kennedy in 2007 to avoid Communion
Police identify gunman in deadly Saipan rampage
Indonesian ferry sinks; 29 dead, some 240 rescued
Democrats: Health care bill saves money and jobs
Officials: Pakistani troops kill some 40 militants
Va. Military Institute faces sexism accusations
China mine explosion death toll reaches 92
Senate moderates frustrate other Democrats on bill
Dalai Lama says Obama not soft on China
Durbin says deadline looming for health care bill
NRC investigating radiation at Three Mile Island
Indonesian ferry sinks; 25 dead, some 240 rescued
Schumer says public option can pass the Senate
China's defense minister travels to North Korea
Indonesian ferry sinks; 15 dead, some 230 rescued
Nelson might not back next step for health bill
Senate Dems frustrated with sway held by moderates
Smash Twilight sequel enters record books
| Entertainment
|
Jackson, Swift face off at American Music Awards
Tensions between British, US military over Iraq
BA warns cabin crew over strike: report
China families protest mine disaster, toll hits 104
| International
|
News Corp, Microsoft hold talks on Google: report
Iraq says October 25 bombers came from Syria: spokesman
Spanish PM vows sweeping reforms to boost economy
Harnessing the power of salt, Norway tries osmotic power
eBay apologizes for technical glitch in search function
Indonesian ferry sinks; 29 dead, most survive
| International
|
Laptop becomes reality for Uruguay's schoolchildren
Iraqi parliament fails to reach election deal
| International
|
Sudan delays elections by six days
Somali pirates holding 12-year-old hostage: Spanish skipper
US-TECH Summary
US economy will 'bounce back': Indian PM
eBay says fixes search glitch on website
China quake activist jailed for three years
| International
|
Antarctic ice loss vaster, faster than thought: study
Pakistani militant group an intractable Indian foe
| International
|
Saudi troops killed in Yemen rebel clashes: report
| International
|
Laptop becomes reality for Uruguay's schoolchildren
eBay says fixes search glitch on website
| Technology
|
Study: kids watching hours of TV at home daycare
Winners at the American Music Awards
Japan mulls F-35 purchase as next main fighter jet
Australia battles wildfires as threat eases: officials
S.Korea ignores N.Korea offer to resume tours
Palin dines, prays with Rev. Billy Graham in NC
Chinese dissident Huang Qi sentenced to 3 years
SF area officer, passenger injured during arrest
4 Taiwan fishing vessels detained by Myanmar
Hundreds rescued as 29 die in Indonesia ferry sinking
Key senators seek changes on US health care bill
Khmer Rouge prison chief anxious as trial wraps up
China quake activist jailed for three years
Swimmers, poets among 2010 Rhodes Scholars from US
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
Grand Canyon to change 'unfair' permit system
Demonstration at UC Santa Cruz ends peacefully
Cambodia begins final arguments in KRouge jail chief trial
Taiwan to curb Chinese investment in key sectors: report
Miners' families want answers in China mine blast
NZ consumer confidence eases in November -survey
Survivors recount China mine disaster; 104 dead
S.Korea won up on stock-linked deals, trade data
Seoul shares rangebound;KEB jumps on Hana interest
S.Korean bonds down on KDI report, auctions
Japan markets closed
Taylor Swift wins five American Music Awards
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares open up on foreign buying, KEB
Michael Jackson's glove sells for $350,000 at auction
| Entertainment
|
Hundreds rescued, 29 die as Indonesia ferry sinks
Winners at the American Music Awards
Taylor Swift wins five American Music Awards
Sting warns of hydroelectric project in Amazon
Two hurt as bulls flee Tom Cruise film set
'New Moon' wolfs down $140.7M in opening weekend
Flashy Indian brides struggle with high gold prices
Attorney: Jackson's doctor returning to work
Ubisoft steps up videogame fitness with virtual coach
Rare Charles Darwin book in toilet in Britain
Iran police arrest 12 couples for partner swapping
Executives testify in Airbus insider trading probe
Spotify launches application for Nokia phones
Iraq parliament passes new vote law
| International
|
OECD area shakes off recession with fragile rebound
Iran prez seeks new legitimacy in visit to Brazil
Atlantis astronauts begin third and last spacewalk
IMF head says world economy 'highly vulnerable'
Two Afghan ministers suspected of embezzlement
| International
|
Pakistani forces attack Taliban, kill 22
| International
|
Afghan security plans 'a tall order'
Murky ocean depths hide abundance of life
Israel-Hamas prisoner swap deal near: officials
| International
|
Remains of British hostage found in Lebanon
| International
|
Taiwan to curb China investment: report
Lochte ends Phelps's reign as swimmer of year
Khmer Rouge torturer had broad autonomy, lawyer says
| International
|
Gunmen kill 21 in Philippine political war
| International
|
India tests nuclear-capable missile after sunset
| International
|
Spotify launches application for Nokia phones
Microsoft, News Corp weigh web pact: source
| Technology
|
Tweets or bleats? Tool measures importance on Twitter
| Technology
|
Transgender murderer renews electrolysis request
Gunmen kill 21 in Philippine political war
Lawyer: 9/11 defendants want platform for views
Gunfire at home of US teachers in Indonesia's Aceh
21 Filipinos killed on way to file election papers
Medical marijuana finds social outlet in Ore. cafe
Obama to speak on education, present rights award
Khmer Rouge torturer had broad autonomy, lawyer says
The nation's weather
Philippine kidnappers kill 21 in 'political massacre'
Zimbabwe women, receiving rights award, speak out
Philippine army says 21 people killed in south
FBI wants public's help in civil rights killings
AP NewsAlert
Trial for Khmer Rouge prison chief concludes
Gunmen kill 21 in Philippine political violence
Reliance shares rise over 3% on LyondellBasell bid
Taiwan export orders see first rise in 13 months
JAL seeks 40% pension benefits cut for bailout
Gold hits record high past $1,160 per ounce
Cuba film institute founder looks back on 50 years
PREVIEW-Pakistani c.bank likely to slash policy rate
Taiwan jobless rate drops in October
Bio-fuel growth raises concerns about forests
Smash Twilight sequel enters record books
| Entertainment
|
Two foreign funds compete to buy S.Korea builder
S.Korea c.bank to call in Fed-funded bank loans
Indonesia president set to act on corruption scandal
CORRECTED-Indonesian ferry with over 200 people on board sinks
China's Haitong Securities to buy Hong Kong broker
Brad Pitt's production company enters Dark Void
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights