If you can only do one of two things today, which one would you rather engage in, a jog around the park or a handheld video game? Â Count me in for the video game crowd – all while downing some chips and a soda at that. Â For folks like us, Bandai is hoping they have a solution – a pedometer/calorie counter that integrates a game with your calorie burning.
Who are we kidding? Â A pedometer that uses the distances we travel as input for an integrated game won’t exactly make us want to exercise. Â Unless the game is good and has a compelling storyline, that is. Â Now, does it?
According to the press release (which I don’t understand since it’s in Japanese), the pedometer casts the lazy exerciser as a 16th century Samurai with his eyes intent on taking control of Japan. Â You can choose any of three famous daimyo characters from the Warring States Period (Sengoku, circa 1500s). Â To succeed in your quest, you will need to take your foot soldiers with you to the battlefield. Â Of course, the way to take them there is to clock in the numbers at the pedometer – the more you walk, the closer you will get to assuming your role in history.
It sounds like a cool tool and all, though I doubt it will make erstwhile gamers any less disdainful about the prospects of any exercise that doesn’t involve a WiiMote. Â May I suggest a Tamagotchi game in a pedometer instead? Â If you don’t exercise, the Tamagotchi will die. Â Guilt, so I heard, is a great motivator for exercise. Â Have you seen how full gyms are after the year-end festivities?
[Press Release via Tokyo Mango]