GamerSize Science-Quest for the Perfect ExerGame

Analogue no more, the digital revolution is supposed to herald a new entertainment era with thousands of music tracks no more than a click away. At least that is what I thought until I heard Margaret Robertson’s very entertaining and informative presentation last Monday at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival. The subject matter was her 10 best games of the previous year, three of which happened to be mobile iPod games.

First up was the Nike+ iPod that becomes a coach, personal trainer and all round training companion. The shoe insert senses motion communicates the movement to your iPod which calculates workout data and can upload it to the web. Margaret was full of praise for the product and how it helps motivate her to exercise.

When I spoke to her afterwards, I said that I was heartened by her enthusiasm and whilst it wasn’t a game, it wasn’t that far removed from an “ExerGame”. She was quick to correct me that as far as she was concerned it was a game, but then I haven’t “played” it. But you will see from her  article ”How gaming is running with sport“ that she considers the online challenge and leader board ranking to be a game/competition. 

takes something I hate (running) and turns it into something I love (gaming)

Second up was “Song Summoner”, an iPod game that customizes the game play characters and their powers according to the tracks you listen to.

The final game was “Phase:” aka Guitar Hero meets iPod. Again the vital ingredient that affects game play are the tracks you listen to.

I think you can begin to see where this is heading…………..

Now here is the iPodder’s Dilemma: The choice of track critically affects the various game plays. So a particularly high scoring track might be one of the “cheesiest / heaviest / smouchiest / funkiest / grooveyist / uncoolest” (delete as appropriate) - or not as the case may be. Suddenly the choice of music itself becomes a game. So herein lies the dilemma. Coming soon to a gym near you…

Note: If you choose to exercise whilst using earphones to listen to music, please be aware of your surroundings.