French videogame powerhouse Ubisoft is putting players into the action when it comes to fitness training.
Ubisoft's "Your Shape" videogame designed for Nintendo's Wii consoles uses a camera to scan players' bodies and replicate them on screen, where a virtual trainer coaches them through exercise routines.
"For the first time ever, you are going to be transported into a fitness game," Ubisoft senior vice president of marketing Tony Key said Monday as he unveiled the videogame on the eve of a major Electronic Entertainment Expo.
Ubisoft worked with Nintendo to develop a camera to scan players' body shapes into Wii consoles for an exercise game that gauges what shape people are in, lets them set fitness goals and tracks progress, according to Key.
The camera also tracks players' movements so an in-game coach can give advice and feedback in real time, according to "Your Shape" lead designer Felicia Williams of Ubisoft's studio in Montreal.
"You can't cheat anymore; the camera keeps an eye on you," Williams said.
"Your Shape" is to be available in time for the year-end holiday shopping season.
Fitness is the fastest growing fitness genre, with titles being among the market's best sellers, according to Key.
(c) 2009 AFP
