The application of XR to attractions and amusement environments is discussed by industry specialist Kevin Williams in his latest Virtual Arena column. We explore immersive fitness outdoor applications that use gamification to provide more effective (and fun) services. Exercise regime.
In this latest MIXED column, Exercise Gaming (“Xergaming”) – Defined as the use of gamification in fitness and exercise settings. Immersive technology has been added to the applications of this technology, and all aspects of VR, MR, and XR are being deployed in modern applications.
The developer, called “Active Immersive Entertainment,” goes beyond creating immersive exercise and fitness hardware to create engaging training and rehabilitation systems, using gamified states to help you achieve your training goals. , and also looking to create engaging activities.
Early applications of Xergaming
The first applications of “Xergaming” were seen with an explosion of interest in dance stage game experiences derived from KONAMI’s music rhythm game BEMANI series of amusement platforms “Dance Dance Revolution”. This highly physical experience provides players with an intense workout and has attracted attention as a game experience that can be used in school physical fitness classes.
Note – The dance stage game genre has been in play for over 20 years and is still incredibly successful in the amusement scene. Titles such as “Pump It Up,” “Dance Dance Revolutions,” and the independently developed “StepManiaX” were avidly followed and played in this space.
From the adoption of home game versions in schools, developers began creating dedicated commercial “dance mat” Xergaming variants. It includes a robust version as well as network scoring and play, providing an engaging class-based physical education (PE) experience. With this, KONAMI launches ‘Dance Dance Revolution Classroom Edition’ which supports up to 48 players on a wireless dance mat, with scoring and song selection.
game exercise
This early experience with gaming exercises defined the development of active entertainment (also known as “active social play”). With the development of more dedicated physical activity environments that can be introduced into spaces such as schools.
One such example is Didim smart playground from two hand interactive. An immersive interactive solution showcased at his BETT Education Showcase conference in London. It is claimed to be the world’s first floor-projection, motion-tracking, multi-user experience. This is a mixed reality fitness experience for leisure facilities such as classrooms, gyms, and lobbies. You can target up to 12 players at the same time. It is the gamification of the athletic experience that has proven to be very attractive to new player groups.
As the fitness industry has had to redefine itself in the wake of the global health crisis and lockdowns on gym businesses, we have seen the introduction of new technology and an expansion of the range of exercise experiences.developers etc. built-in fitness – Provides physical fitness and rehabilitation through the implementation of the Xergaming platform, including the “Smart Wall” and “SmartBike” systems. These platforms are supported by mobile apps to customize your experience, and the ‘SmartMove’ interactive tracker allows you to turn even simple spaces into gamified experiences.
Another application seen in the amusement scene from active gaming mats and projection tracing surfaces is dedicated interactive gaming floors. Pixel Games is a system that uses illuminated floor panels that can track player movements. Provides multiple game modes. This gaming floor platform has been deployed in leisure and entertainment venues around the world, engaging players of all ages with an active and engaging experience, as well as attracting crowds.
Immersive outdoor fitness
The home fitness scene has been enhanced by the effects of lockdown and the latest smart apps for fitness. Another new development is in consumer VR, with the emergence of several popular fitness VR applications such as FitXR. Home VR systems seem like a futuristic and logical personal fitness platform to replace home stationary bikes, but in reality, the at-home exercise experience is limited.
The out-of-home leisure entertainment scene is already investing in VR applications for exercise and fitness. We already mentioned it in our interview (Virtual Arena: Body Active). Icarus – Translate user movements into a virtual world for personal fitness as well as healthcare.
In addition to platforms in this field, attempts are also being made to create dedicated VR fitness installations.One of those people black box vr – Provides an immersive gym and gamified fitness environment. After restructuring operations in the wake of the global health crisis, his two locations are now up and running following the initial phase. Beyond demand in standalone venues, BlackBox VR is also being deployed in traditional gyms as an immersive fitness platform.
Crossover of fun and fitness
Currently, new international investment is being driven by the development of facility-based entertainment systems with fitness. While VR appears to be one approach, most of these developments are focused on MR through projection mapping and interactive display walls.
One of the up-and-coming developers Valomotionis known for its immersive projection map climbing wall experience (“ValoClimb”) and immersive trampoline system (“ValoJump”). Recently, the company announced a multiplayer immersive enclosure system with Valo Arena that allows players to incorporate computer vision player expression and movement into their games, once again delivering a highly active gaming experience.
The immersive enclosure approach has become a new entertainment trend, as seen in the success of platforms such as: immersive game box. The more physically active an immersive experience is, the more viewers like it. A highly physical play style provides an engaging experience and can translate into more enjoyable multiplayer games.
Developer CSE Entertainment has developed a range of systems ranging from entertainment as well as interactive digital walls, stationary bikes and treadmills through its new education division, which appeared at Educa 2024 (European education conference) in Helsinki.As a manufacturer playio has created a highly active entertainment platform using ‘PleyoStation’. This is a mini-trampoline style experience where the player’s movements are again represented in-game.
Social play becomes more active
Finally, we look at the crossover between competitive socializing and social entertainment through the incorporation of fitness training technology. Developer of soccer training platform (TOCA football) has entered the competitive social scene with a new product. TOCA Social. Under the tagline “Eat, Drink, Score”, this active sports system offers an immersive soccer dining experience rather than a fitness training experience. It just opened a second venue in Birmingham in June, which features around 23 interactive soccer boxes equipped with ball-tracking technology. The operation has signed a partnership with Mexico for the mass rollout of venues based on this concept in the region.
Another example of this approach is B’MOOVD Sports bar. This newly opened concept in Germany offers a hospitality sports bar environment with a soccer shooting simulator. sports simulation – Developer of a ball-tracking projection simulator system that turns every major sport into an immersive, interactive experience.
Active play is a fundamental element of the new thrust of immersive entertainment. In addition to a sports-focused approach, the location-based entertainment (LBE) market is seeing an acceleration of active gaming experiences with strong social elements. this is, game bolt.
The system is said to be the best in physical arcade-style gaming, offering an immersive enclosure for up to eight players. Combine physical games, skill, and agility games within a 16-foot x 16-foot radius. glass box. Utilizes an interactive LED floor and digital push button interactive wall, supporting surround sound audio. This new product aims to adapt to the competitive landscape that is gaining momentum in the market.
This concludes our snapshot of Xergaming’s approach to active entertainment and the opportunities that a more physical entertainment experience offers for location-based entertainment compared to a more sedentary consumer approach. In our next feature, we will discuss the explosion of immersive gallery and exhibition experiences using VR and MR technology and the future potential of this trend.
About the author – kevin williams is a widely respected entertainment and technology expert, assisting international clients in developing immersive and interactive entertainment technologies and facilities.Kevin is the founder of KWP, a leading specialist in immersive outdoor entertainment for retail stores and other destinations. In addition to his advisory position to other market entrants, he stinger report, a “must-read” e-magazine for anyone working or investing in the amusement, attraction, and entertainment industry. Kevin is a prolific writer and regularly contributes his News column to major trade publications. He also travels around the world as a keynote speaker, moderator, and panelist at numerous industry conferences and events. He is the author of the only book on this side of the market, The Out-of-Home Immersive Entertainment Frontier: Expanding Interactive Boundaries in Leisure Facilities, the second edition of which he plans to release in 2023.
Contact Kevin at kwp@thestingerreport.com.
