Nintendo says Get in Shape, is not Jenny Craig. [Archive]

View Full Version : Nintendo says Get in Shape, is not Jenny Craig.

Mike McC

11-27-2006, 02:50 PM

Read all about it. (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/nintendo-says-you-need-to-be-in-shape-to-play-the-wii-217268.php)

mammothtank

11-27-2006, 03:07 PM

You know you're out of shape when a Nintendo PR rep tells you to hit the gym.I'm still laughing.

Am I the only one who figures it's merely a matter of time until this thing is included in weight-loss plans?

Mike McC

11-27-2006, 03:16 PM

Well, I think that these people are just whipping the controllers around just about as hard as they can, which is really a stupid thing to do because, yeah, you are going to strain your muscles a bit doing it like that.

That, and I think they're probably overdramatizing a bit.

greed

11-27-2006, 03:18 PM

Come to think of it if you did it right you could actually make, aerobics that are fun.

Of course then porcine aviation would occur while hell froze over.

Mirai Gen

11-27-2006, 03:54 PM

I don't see why they're saying this. DDR has been keping nerds thin for decades.

Mike McC

11-27-2006, 04:01 PM

DDR hasn't even been around for one decade. It was introduced in Japan in 1998. Also: Not everyone plays, or likes, DDR. I daresay the Wii will be more densely spread about.

subreci

11-27-2006, 04:42 PM

That is great. The Wii will allow for the perfect response to the question: "Why is one of your arms stronger than the other?" You were just playing with your Wii.

There is one point that needs to be made about DDR.
Playing DDR is like making out with your hot fifteen year old non-blood cousin. You know its wrong, and you look like an ass when you try, but its so much fun that sometimes, you just can't help yourself.

Mirai Gen

11-27-2006, 05:06 PM

DDR hasn't even been around for one decade. It was introduced in Japan in 1998. Also: Not everyone plays, or likes, DDR. I daresay the Wii will be more densely spread about.
True, but I don't see why a Nintendo PR rep needs to tell us, "Dude, you're playing an active game, get into shape." DDR has been doing it's thing for a long time.

It is funny, but still. DDR established the whole "Moving video game is not a paradox."

ElfLad

11-27-2006, 05:40 PM

Only time I was physically exerted while playing a videogame was "Psychobilly Freakout" on Expert in GHII. But I was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and long pants in a very warm room.

rxm_9600

11-27-2006, 11:54 PM

i HATE ddr games.....dont shoot me :(

PS: im not out of "shape"...i just HATE it

Demetrius

11-28-2006, 02:23 AM

Mirai I just have to point out this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Trainer) in defense of the true gaming system :).

Bells

11-28-2006, 08:21 AM

Fifthfiend

11-28-2006, 12:59 PM

Guitar Freaks, Guitar Hero, Track and Field, DDR and now the "wii" as a whole...

Not QUITE sure is nintendo's plan are on the right track...

i mean... for you to be able to play a sports game you need to play real sports to get in shape?

It does rather beg the question why can't you just go outside and actually play damn tennis. Of course that's rather quickly answered by who wants to spend a bunch of money on racquets and go find a tennis court and by the way it's thirty degrees below ass-cold outside today, maybe let's just stay in.

i HATE ddr games.....dont shoot me :(

PS: im not out of "shape"...i just HATE it

You say that like somebody who actually posesses some kind of appreciation for his own dignity.

In which case no, the DDR series probably is not for you.

Meister

11-28-2006, 01:16 PM

It all boils down to this (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/11/13).

Domon

11-28-2006, 01:25 PM

Mike McC

11-28-2006, 05:48 PM

How the hell could some one be THAT out of shape? You cant move your arms around? What the hell is wrong with you?(to no one inparticular)
If I knew any one who was that out of shape I would kick their ass onto a treadmill.It might not be that they're out of shape, it's just they're swinging the controller around so damn hard they are putting significant stress on thier muscles. Add into that the tendancy to play games for a couple of hours at a time, yeah, you're gonna end up sore if you swing the thing around like a jackass.

Astral Harmony

11-28-2006, 06:12 PM

Yeah, they're putting far more effort into it than is required. Then, supposing they were strictly players of Nintendo's consoles, it's easy to see why they might be out of shape: Nintendo ain't got no damn DDR.

Mike McC

11-28-2006, 06:34 PM

There have been DDRs on the Gamecube. One was even made staring Mario (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_DDR).

I've always thought of 'DDR as an excercise tool' to be exaggerated, too. Yeah, it might help some, but it ain't an all-around workout/diet plan, either.

Bells

11-28-2006, 06:50 PM

The tilt on the sixaxis of the Ps3 didnt cause any injuries yet...

i mean... there is no news about a kid who was playing Resistance, and when he did a quick tilt to the left to see his map on a multiplayer match, his body losed balance and he felt over a glass coffe table or sommething...

Mike McC

11-28-2006, 06:55 PM

Kids have been tilting the controller when playing for ages now. Seriously. Have you ever seen a 7 year old light gamer play a racing game? It's freaking hilarious.

Setzer Gabbiani

11-28-2006, 08:00 PM

Mirai I just have to point out this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Trainer) in defense of the true gaming system :).
That's true. World Class Track Meet was tiring me out far before DDR was ever released.

PyrosNine

11-28-2006, 09:55 PM

Kids have been tilting the controller when playing for ages now. Seriously. Have you ever seen a 7 year old light gamer play a racing game? It's freaking hilarious.

My cousin's the worst about that. Playing Tekken or whatever on the DC, and while I'm trying to be nice and not just mop the floor with his 7 year old self, he's leaping about, leaning left and right, shaking the controller, and lashing out wildly.

He beat me up more OUTSIDE of the game than in it. Boy needs to take a few chill pills or whatnot.... Also, if I do have a Wii at some point, he isn't playing it. Even if the think was strapped, duct taped, and hotglued to his flesh it'd still end up piercing my tv and possibly my shoulder.

But I do think it's good for a game to be a bit more motion using than a keyboard or controller, as larger and more varied movements won't develop arthritis or carpal tunnel quicker.

Meister

11-29-2006, 03:35 AM

Kids have been tilting the controller when playing for ages now. Seriously. Have you ever seen a 7 year old light gamer play a racing game? It's freaking hilarious.
Or a 21-year-old woman who's getting her hands on Mario Kart for the first time. Seriously, I watched that display and the genius of the controller struck me like lightning. (Unlike the controller itself will eventually, I hope.)

Mirai Gen

11-29-2006, 04:04 AM

Or a 21-year-old woman who's getting her hands on Mario Kart for the first time.
http://www.ecetia.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/wiimote.jpg
Hm. I think any 21 year old woman who's got her hands on that should probably just go down to the adult store and get one that's a little more oblong.

ZING!

But, seriously. I can't wait to get my hands on one, and I'm looking forward to swinging it around like a jackass too. But I'd probably end up playing it like I play Guitar Hero right now; get up, play a few rounds of Wii Tennis, then take a breather.

I mean, if you're going for something like Metroid Prime 3...that's alot of work. Better sit down.

Man, this is crazy. Its one of the first times in a long time that gaming at home is hard work.

Krylo

11-29-2006, 04:08 AM

But I'd probably end up playing it like I play Guitar Hero right now; get up, play a few rounds of Wii Tennis, then take a breather.

Wuss. I've played guitar hero until my fingers were numb, throbbing, and I couldn't move my fingers without pain.

Slightly more on-topic--I agree with the basic sentiment that Nintendo has here, but I don't particularily like the way they go about wording it. Might be just me, but it seems rather overtly blunt.

Mirai Gen

11-29-2006, 04:24 AM

Wuss. I've played guitar hero until my fingers were numb, throbbing, and I couldn't move my fingers without pain.
Oh, you missed where I said "Right now." I do it right now because, well, I've played my ass off for WEEKS. My fingers were fleshy goo for weeks when it first came out.

Its not until you are playing a song and your face twists in sheer agony but your fingers keep moving, until you can say you are alive!

But, enough about Guitar Hero.

Meister

11-29-2006, 03:28 PM

I guess when Wii is for everyone, they only mean the completely able-bodied.
There hasn't ever been a barrier-free gaming system. There definitely is a problem there, but it's nothing new.

[...]by making the system physically oriented, Nintendo has decided to widen the gulf between boys and girls by using a control device that would alienate women. It's well known that in general, women have far less upper body strength than men and culturally have been ingrained to be not as physically engaged.
I honesly can't tell if you're joking. So, what, actual real-life bowling lanes and tennis courts are a men-only domain now?

Fifthfiend

11-29-2006, 03:38 PM

I would add that there's a hell of a lot lower barrier to entry here considering as you're not even holding anything so heavy as a bowling ball or tennis racket, you're waving around a white piece of plastic that couldn't weigh more than what, half a pound? To the extent that physical ability is a requirement it would seem pretty strongly weighted in favor of dexterity and long-term endurance, areas where if anything it's ladies who have the advantage.

Also, inasmuch as women have been conditioned to avoid physical competition, I should think Nintendo would merit some appreciation for making an effort to encourage such activity.

Sithdarth

11-29-2006, 03:52 PM

Ya know I was just thinking about buying some ankle and wrist weights to help my physical conditioning. Then I read this thread and I realized the hell I could put myself through trying to play the Wii with 5lbs strapped to each wrist. It sounds really REALLY fun.

Mirai Gen

11-29-2006, 04:07 PM

So in other words, consumers who do not have full use of their arms or who have medical conditions that make strenuous physical acitivty imposssble are just out of luck? I guess when Wii is for everyone, they only mean the completely able-bodied.
Okay, so Christopher Reeves couldn't play a Wii before he died. I don't get your point here. Yes, the Wii is unique in the fact that it's motion sensitivity requires physical effort...but I don't see how their desire to push for physical activity during gaming is so incredibly terrible.
Also, what about the gender divide in video games? While Wii has been touted as luring people who are not interested in video games, by making the system physically oriented, Nintendo has decided to widen the gulf between boys and girls by using a control device that would alienate women. It's well known that in general, women have far less upper body strength than men and culturally have been ingrained to be not as physically engaged. By making the statement that only there's something wrong with YOU if you can't play, it makes it seem like Nintendo wants the Wii to be a "boys only" club.
...I fail to see how gender applies to this at all, considering the whole idea of the Wii is that it teaches physical motion to those who aren't gamers (parents, namely), and therefore integrate as many people as they possibly can into the gaming scene.

So, I don't get it.

Bells

11-29-2006, 04:57 PM

So in other words, consumers who do not have full use of their arms or who have medical conditions that make strenuous physical acitivty imposssble are just out of luck? I guess when Wii is for everyone, they only mean the completely able-bodied.

Well.. they DID tried to make a special version of DDR for people in wheelchairs... but waddyaknow... it didnt work quite well...

Meister

11-29-2006, 05:06 PM

See, usually at this point I'd merge this thread and the one about how the Wii lays waste to man's achievements since they're both about sideeffects of the controller, but as that would break the post limit on threads, I've made a new one altogether and am closing both.

http://forum.nuklearpower.com/showthread.php?t=16372