James Blake
Major Studio
2/11/08
Proposal
It’s On
Abstract
A study done by the University of Texas in 2004 has linked obesity amongst children to their gaming habits. The lack of physical activity compared to generation’s prior seem to be one of the largest reasons why the surge in obesity is becoming more common amongst kids. This is why I have designed an interactive game that will encourage outdoor activity, while still giving the draw and capabilities of online gaming.
Precedents
Interactive games that encourage physical activity have in some cases been known to triple the amount of calories burned as opposed to the traditional gaming. Games Like Dance Dance Revolution©, Wii Sports© and Wii Fit© are not a replacement for physical exercise, but these games help get the ball rolling and help lead people in the direction of a slightly healthier life style. These games have also shown that a game like this can be wildly successful, proving that there is quite a market for games demanding physical activity.
Overview
The game I propose to make is called IT’S ON! The premise of the game is that you are the leader of your army, and you need to defend your base and conquer others. This is accomplished by having the child scan a card with a type of mission he needs to complete before he can purchase more materials for the online play. These “side games” or “mini missions” would encourage the child to get out from in front of the screen and play outside with their friends. The more “mini missions” the child accomplishes, the more the child is rewarded in fake money. This fake money is used to purchase vehicles and weapons in the online video game.
Scenario
Little Bobby is 8 years old and has gained a substantial amount of weight. When his parents suggest maybe he should go out side and play with his friends, he chooses to stay inside and play on his computer with the newest Dora the Explorer Game. So tech savvy Dad goes out and reads up on a new video game encouraging exercise amongst kids called IT’S ON, and buys it for Bobby. Bobby resists at first, but once his boredom sets in he gives the game a shot. Quickly the game grabs his attention and sparks his imagination. Now Bobby is competing with his friends on the Internet having little mini LAN games, and playing with his new friends in the backyard. Now Bobby is getting more exercise and increasing his social skill set, and Mom and Dad couldn’t be happier.
References
1. Aaron Levin and Barbra Rodriguez. 2004. The University of Texas, at Austin. “Video games rather than TV may be linked to childhood obesity”. http://www.utexas.edu/news/2004/03/23/nr_video_games/
2. Exercise in a Box,http://www.exerciseinabox.com/, February 11th 2009.
3. Helium.com, The Impact of Video Games and Society, by Tegan Mcrae,http://www.helium.com/items/388566-the-impact-of-video-games-on-society, February 11th 2009.
