The Exergame Network - Report on our Progress

A Report on TEN's Progress The Exergame Network Games for Health. May 2011, Boston MA Richard Coshott, Lisa Witherspoon Hansen, Brett Young

Richard Coshott - CEO and Founder, Gamercize Founder and Director, The Exergame Network Richard's passion for exergaming came ten years ago looking for a parental solution to his own two sons, Oscar and Logan, becoming unfit playing video games. After trying many ideas to get them back outdoors he finally created a solution that worked for them in Gamercize. A company to share this innovation was created and Gamercize products now sell worldwide. He is a long term serial gamer himself, recognizing the importance that the immersion of gameplay has to offer exergaming. Focus: Putting the “game” in exergaming.

Lisa Witherspoon Hansen - USF Active Gaming Labs Assistant Professor, University of South Florida Founding Member of TEN, Assistant professor and Co-Director of the USF Active Gaming Labs at The University of South Florida in the School of Physical Education and Exercise Science. Her research focuses on understanding the effects that active gaming technologies has on participants and on the application of these activities to encourage and improve lifelong physical activity behaviors. Focus: Developmentally appropriate implementation of exergaming in schools.

Brett W M Young - CEO, Exergame Australia Founding member of TEN, owner and CEO of Exergaming Australia. His passion is to reinvent how we perceive then act upon our health and fitness. Brett's imperative is to utilize & adapt the main exergaming attributes of technology, gaming and fitness, combine them seamlessly and then apply this methodology across our communities - Global Exergaming. Focus: Putting the "exercise” in exergaming.

What is Exergaming?

What is Exergaming?
Many "definitions", also known as:
Active gaming, Interactive Fitness, Fitness Gaming or Exertainment
Core attributes
HEALTHY / ACTIVE
GATEWAY
FUN / ENGAGING
The Exergame Network advocates the genre & supports those involved!
Exergaming is a global movement serving a common cause
The network works by sharing at a global level

The Exergame Network?
Started as a LinkedIn Group two years ago
Initiative - Richard Coshott
Discussion forum & Networking
Wiki added shortly afterwards
Initiative - Helena Baert
Formalized discussion outcomes
Project area for collaboration
Social Media added
TEN Skype Calls - Brett Young
A mini GFH Skype call every two weeks!
TEN Facebook and TEN Twitter feeds added
Drove new ideas and projects

Our Mission... ... is constantly evolving Who changes it?... YOU DO!

The Exergame Network (TEN)
Not For Profit
Non Affiliated
Global
Advocacy
Democratic
Open collaboration
Free information

Add this ALL together TEN becomes

Effective - Impartial - Sustainable

Who is “The Exergame Network”?

Who's a part of TEN? While a Preventive Care Specialist focusing on lifestyle medicine at Beaver Medical Group, he stumbled upon exergaming in 1998. Since then, has been exploring, networking, and collaborating with the wonderful folks in the Games for Health world. Besides involvement with MedPlayTech & XRtainment Zone, he is on the clinical faculty at Loma Linda University, and a co-founder of Perpetual Motions Partners, a health games design studio. Ernie is also a co-founder of the National Active Gaming League and hopes to have the finals on ESPN someday. In his free time, Ernie's involved with mountain & road biking, Ultimate Frisbee, swimming, paintball, and other forms of fun physical activity with his wife, Keri, 13 y/o daughter Summer, and their dogs, Roxy and Davy. Ernie Medina

Who's a part of TEN? Helena Baert, PhD, Kinesiology Pedagogy with cognate in Education Technology. University of Arkansas Graduate 2011 Assistant Professor in Physical Education, SUNY Cortland, starting Fall 2011 Research in the application and integration of technology within Physical Education Teacher Education programs. Focused on how pedagogy can be enhanced through technology within K-12 and higher education programs. Wiki Educator and Consultant Contact information: [email_address] Helena Baert

Ian McGee advises startups and consults at the intersection of games, fitness and social media. As co-founder and Software VP of Expresso Fitness, he drew on his long experience in console, PC and online casual games to bring a rich virtual world experience to high-end commercial stationary bikes. Ghost rides, achievements, asynchronous play and later Facebook/Twitter integration provided much-needed motivation to people accustomed to today's high-feedback & rewarding experiences. Ian helped Expresso raise $40m in venture capital over 7 years. Previously Ian has worked at multiple startups. He started & ran Malibu Interactive UK developing original and licensed IP on console. Next he joined Sony internal development for the launch of the original Sony Playstation in 1995. Now in Half Moon Bay he used development talent from Moscow Russia and Budapest Hungary to develop original console & PC titles. Also at AndNow he helped create the online casual game SmallBall in 2001. Ian McGee Who's a part of TEN?

Judy Shasek is founder of the project management and consulting company, invenTEAM and HCD-Healthy Community Development. Founded in 1998, invenTEAM combines unlikely businesses and programs that, together, can positively impact some of our greatest challenges. Some invenTEAM projects include:
Developer FootGaming and FootPOWR active computer mouse
Empowering at-risk youth to lead and manage physical activity programs that change both the wellness and the academic culture of a school – TEAM e3
Creating E-WALLY AND THE QUEST, the first adventure myth set in the Internet to teach Internet safety
Creation of Wellness Gaming and Wellness “gamiconnection” strategies ( GamiConnection is trademark: invenTEAM 2010)
Co-Founder of HCD – Healthy Community Development
Author HCD Home blog
Judy: “I believe the very people in need of support and solutions are often exactly the ones who can initiate the culture change needed.”, “Individuals are the fiber of the greatest communities, weaving energy, ideas, friends, family and resources for the greatest good.”
Judy Shasek Who's a part of TEN?

Who's a part of TEN? Stephen P. Yang, an assistant professor at SUNY Cortland and member of its Center for Obesity Research (C.O.R.E) http://www.obesityny.org , researches the effectiveness of using exergames/active games and technologies for children, adolescents, and adults with and without disabilities. Yang has been active in the field of exergaming since it’s infancy and has published and presented internationally and nationally. He works with the Games for Health (GFH) Project ( www.gamesforhealth.org ), consults with video game developers, and toy and exergame companies on products and services. In recognition of his expertise, he was appointed to the Board of Advisors of Exergame Fitness , is a founding member of the ExerGame Network (TEN) , and has been interviewed for several national news services. Throughout all his research and collaborations, Yang wishes to see how exergames can be used as a potential gateway to inspire people of all ages and abilities to be active and healthy for a lifetime. www.exergamelab.org . Stephen Yang

Who's a part of TEN? Tommy Seilheimer was a touring musician for over 7+ years in the music entertainment industry. His grass roots marketing and social media implementation were a driving force in the bands national success and got them a spot on VH1s Surreal Life Season 6 to which their career took a turn for the better. After years of performances and some nagging health issues, it was time to call it quits to his touring career. Tommy wanted to pursue a career in helping kids keep active and healthy with the use of videogames and technology, both life-long passions of his. That’s when he found a company called Motion Fitness in Palatine, IL hiring for a position in the early stages of the industry. Tommy accepted the job and during that time Tommy created Exergame Fitness USA with the help of his then business partner Ed Kasanders of Motion Fitness and his friend Sergio Suarez. They continued for a few years making the company a driving force in the industry. Tommy is currently the Vice President of Marketing for TRAQ 3D Ltd. and The Active Gaming Company and continues to educate and help facilities implement Active Gaming in facilities worldwide. Tommy Seilheimer

Who's a part of TEN? Sheryl Flynn PT, PhD is a physical therapist, neuroscientist and entrepreneur. In 2008, she founded Blue Marble Game Co, a video game design/development/consultation company that offers services to those who are interested in developing games for rehabilitation. Sheryl also contractors to the Institute for Creative Technologies at the University of Southern California where she mentors the next generation of computer scientists and engineers while encouraging them to develop new technologies for game based rehabilitation. Another venture is her Games4Rehab.org website which is a social network whose purpose is to bring together individuals with disabilities undergoing rehabilitation, family/caregivers, clinicians/researchers and game industry rofessionals to freely exchange information and foster the development and adoption of games for rehabilitation. Sheryl has received multiple contracts from the DOD and is awaiting word on funding from NIH to design video games for rehabilitation and specifically our wounded service members. As a member of TEN, Sheryl has enjoyed the learning experience and getting to know her colleagues whilst offering her expertise when needed. Sheryl can be reached at [email_address] or via www.bluemarblegameco.com . Please join www.games4rehab.org to further contribute to the knowledge supporting game based rehabilitation. Sheryl Flynn

Who's a part of TEN?
Dr Alasdair G Thin BSc , PG Cert, PhD is a lecturer in Human Physiology
At Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland. Alasdair got into
Exergames in 2004 after a chance encounter with Sony EyeToy Play that left him somewhat breathless. Alasdair lists the iDANCE2 and SSX3 + Board controller as the most awesome and coolest exergames respectively.
Alasdair currently chairs the Health & Fitness SIG of EU Serious Games Network of Excellence (4 year, 5.6 M Euro project). Some achievements, in random order:
Media Profile: “wonderfully named” - Time Magazine
Languages spoken: 4 (varying degrees)
Countries spoken about in relation to Exergaming: 9
Recent publications: Thin, AG, Hansen, L & McEachen, D (2011). Flow Experience and Mood States whilst Playing Body-Movement Controlled Video Games. Games and Culture , ePub . doi:10.1177/1555412011402677
Thin, AG & Poole, N (2010). Dance-based ExerGaming: User Experience Design Implications for Maximizing Health Benefits based on Exercise Intensity and Perceived Enjoyment. Transactions on Edutainment , IV , 189-199.
Collaborations: University of South Florida, University of Southern California
Sports & Exercise: Running (Marathon pb: 3:39), Outdoor Pursuits, recently learnt to Snowboard (for real!)
Exergaming Vision: Creation of Engaging Exercise Experiences
Alasdair Thin

Who's a part of TEN? Biray Alsac, MS, is a fitness technologist studying the implications of exergames and social media in the fitness industry. She is an adjunct faculty member in the exercise science & physical education departments at Arizona State University and Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona. Follow her on Twitter (@befitt) or check out www.befitwithbiray.com for tips on how to “exercise the Web.” Biray Alsac

Who's a part of TEN? Emily Rosenberry is a management executive with 10+ years experience in Educational, Consumer Electronics & Health/Wellness industries. She was formerly on the management team of Positive Gaming AB (iDANCE), whose products deliver cognitive, social and physical benefits to the educational market and other secondary markets. Her work in this role contributed to global expansion including Asian, Middle Eastern, European, Australian and North American markets. In addition to her core function of strategy and business development, she oversees marketing activities, software development activities and regularly interfaces with researchers and key players in the exertainment/edutainment industries. She has also served on the project team responsible for the Best Buy Mobile pilot project that is now present nationally in Best Buy stores and has successfully launched a nursing staffing agency that was profitable in its first 3 months. She is currently living in San Diego and consulting to a medical training company and law firm. She holds a BS from Michigan State University and an MBA from Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Emily Rosenberry

What have we achieved?

Free information resource (wiki)
Exergaming Prezi - Interactive Online Presentation Program
The Exergame Network Blog
Social networking presence
Online lobbying
Collaborations (ECA, AHA)
Dissemination of Research / News
Successful Media Releases
Conferences (AAHPERD, LIW & Games for Health)
The Exergame Network Awards
TEN Rating System
This Presentation! (USA / UK / Australia)

Above all “Serious Fun”

Online lobbying
Conferences (AAHPERD, LIW)
TEN Rating System

Exergaming Awards 2010

The Purpose of the Awards
Raising the public profile of exergaming
Promoting different uses/categories
Finding public opinions
Rewarding good exergames
It's like the Oscars - but for exergames!

How we got there... We had an idea to recognize the best in exergaming with TEN's very own Awards

How we got there... Using Skype calls and Google Documents we decided on a list of Award Categories

How we got there... This took a number of calls, then we nominated 5 exergames for each category

How we got there...

How we got there... We designed and reviewed the "survey" for public voting

How we got there...

Facts and Figures

Facts and Figures
15 countries participated in public voting
141 valid responses, 55 partial responses
Comments collected in the survey and by email response
Over 5,400 websites and blogs reposted or mentioned in the results
83% of responses answered optional demographic survey questions

Best Children's Exergame
DDR Disney Groves (Konami) - 53%
Just Dance Kids (Ubisoft) - 18%
Nickelodeon Fit (2K Pay) - 13%
Best Physical Education Exergame
Gamercize Pro-Sport for Wii - 32%
HOPSports Training System - 31%
Cyber Coach - 16%
Best Senior's Exergame
Wii Sports Bowling - 48%
XaviX EYEHAND - 14%
NeuroActive Brainbike - 14%

Best Accessibility Exergame ( ablegamers.com )
Nintendo Wii Sports - 52%
Cobalt Flux Hand Dance Pro - 16%
Eyetoy Play for PS2 - 14%
Best Home Dance Exergame
Konami DDR - 29%
StepMania - 26%
Ubisoft Just Dance - 22%
Best Commerical Dance Exergame
Positive Gaming iDANCE2 - 39%
In the Groove 2 - 24%
Xerdance - 15%

Best Exergame Fitness Avatar
Wii Yoga - 28%
Jakie Chan PowerBoxing - 25%
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum - 20%
Best Rehabilitation Exergame ( games4rehab.org )
Wii Fit and Wii Fit Plus - 37%
Wii Sports - 18%
Trazer 2 - 18%
Best Group Fitness Exergame
HOPSports Training System - 32%
Xerdance - 16%

Best Gateway Exergame
Wii Sports - 47%
XaviX Sports - 18%
Microsoft Kinect Sports - 17%
Best Competition Exergame
Gamercize Pro-Sport for Xbox 360 - 28%
Exerbike - 20%
Source Brands Gamebike - 18%
Best Brain Exergame
NeuroActive Brainbike - 39%
Fisher Price Smart Cycle - 26%
Footgaming FootPOWR Pad - 13%

Best Music in an Exergame
Ubisoft Just Dance - 27%
Walk it Out for Wii - 23%
Best Commercial Exergame 2010
Gamebike 2 - 18%
Makoto 2 - 17%
Best Home Exergame 2010
Microsoft Kinect Sports - 29%
EA Sports Active 2 - 26%
Nintendo Motion Plus - Wii Sports Resort - 21%

Who voted?
Public Voting
Full Demographics
Optional Questions

What else did we ask? Results: 1. Ease of Use 2. Calorie Burn 3. Game Play

Want to know more?
Results - http://exergamenetwork.blogspot.com/p/nominations.html
Press Releases -
http://www.prlog.org/11106918-public-voting-open-for-active-gaming-awards.html
http://www.prlog.org/11225977-kinect-wins-top-international-exergaming-award.html

Online lobbying
Conferences (AAHPERD, LIW)
TEN Rating System

TEN RATING SYSTEM L

The Purpose of the Ratings
Typical Exergaming evaluation BEFORE
Subjective "game" reviews [or]
Quantitative Research Studies
TEN Rating System NOW
Experience Led
Surveyed results
Experts evaluation
Standarisation
Multi-level result (layered onion rating system)

How we got there... We had an idea to better define exergaming and communicate the best attributes by rating exergames

How we got there... ... from Australia

How we got there... All of TEN's online collaboration tools were used to design a framework for the Ratings System. For closer collaboration, we moved on to TEN Skype calls

How we got there... We had our first list of "test" exergames

How we got there...
Wii Fit
Wii Sports
EA Sports Active
Sony Eyetoy
PS2 DDR
Rockband

How we got there... ... everyone's view was debated

How we got to there... The results were published, and made headline news around the world for exergaming

Where we are now?
2 Years later...

All Games/Exergames are subjected to a multi-level review:
Released on Survey Gizmo for Exergaming Experts to rate
10 Categories
3 Mandatory categories (M21)
7 Optional categories (O49)
Rating result out of 70 - converted to a percentage!
Results vigorously discussed and debated via TEN social media sites
Results finalized through TEN Skype
Category results and the overall rating out of 70 released through TEN social media sites.

Exergaming "Must Haves"
M21 Score
GAME PLAY : The overall quality and "fun" factor of the game. Are the challenges in the game balanced, well designed and engaging?
INTERFACE : Does the game’s interface/s, allow an immersive, seamless and accurate response between the user and the game - hand-held motion senses, balance boards, dance pads, cameras, interactive screens, ancillary equipment etc.
EXERCISE : How much physical energy is required to complete the challenges or mini-games

Exergaming Desirables
O49 Score
CUSTOMIZATION : Can ‘game play’ aspects be altered and reorganized to suit the player’s preferences (e.g. can you customize your avatar, can you choose which exercises to combine)
ACCESSIBILITY : Does the game allow for a player of any skill level to take part, and does the game scale in difficulty with the players increasing skills and abilities.
BIOMETRIC FEEDBACK : Is the player able to view, store and retrieve fitness, health and competition data from the game (e.g. the players score, their BMI, skill level graphs, etc)

Exergaming Desirables
INTERVENTION CAPACITY : Does the game promote interest in pursuing conventional exercise or activity as a result of participation in the Exergaming experience (e.g. Does Wii Tennis encourage the player to try real tennis)
SOCIALISATION : Does the game offer local and online multiplayer or cooperative play, which offers support & socialization between players.
SUSTAINABLE : Does the overall exercise and gaming experience lead the user to desire repetition of the experience. Leads the ability gain health benefits through prolonged use.
SAFETY : A genuine effort to outline how to safely utilize the product/service that is understood by any and all participants, and is the product robust and reliable to suit its purpose?

T RS Results

Feedback/Future Ratings
New exergames to be examined
PlayStation Move - Start the Party
Microsoft Kinect Sports
Nintendo Motion Plus - Wii Sports Resort
Ubisoft Just Dance 2 for Wii
EA Sports Active 2 for Wii
PlayStation Move - Dance Central
http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/491352/TEN-Rating-System-Round-2
Round 2 results published this Summer!

Want to know more?
Results - http://exergamenetwork.blogspot.com/p/exergame-experience-rating-system.html
Design - http://exergaming.pbworks.com/w/page/12085413/Exergame-Rating-System
Press Release -
http://www.prlog.org/10910139-experts-rate-exergames-for-consumers.html

Why the Success?

Why TEN is Successful
Which do you think?
Money / Funding?
Incorporation?
Organizational Hierarchy?
Roles / Responsibilities?
Affiliation / Sponsors?
Our success is because of:
The passion and dedication of the people involved
rewarded by mutual benefits and open networking
fun and social - "Like a mini-GFH every two weeks" Dr.M
Now we can take a look at the above... interested?

Why TEN is Successful
Next Steps
Funding
Incorporation
Appointments
Sponsorship / Affiliation
Corporate and Individual Memberships

More projects - Commercial exergaming buying guide (print and online), TRS round 3 and more!
Contact: info@exergamenetwork.org

Now it's your turn to join in… Richard Coshott [email_address] http://www.gamercize.net Lisa Witherspoon Hansen [email_address] http://coedu.usf.edu Brett W M Young [email_address] http://exergamingaustralia.com TEN “QR Code”

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The Exergame Network - Report on our Progress

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The Exergame Network - Report on our Progress Presentation Transcript