Active Video Games Dr Alasdair G Thin Active Video Games Researcher Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK a.g.thin@hw.ac.uk www.GamerSizeScience.org EU Platform for Action on Diet, Physical Activity and Health Brussels, September 17, 2008

Which is the Odd One Out? http://foragers.wikidot.com/sexual-division-of-labor http://www.pecad.fas.usda.gov/highlights/2008/05/IndiaRapeseed/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/estherase/137338651/sizes/m/ http://www.eyetoy.com/index.asp?pageID=21

Alasdair G Thin - Credentials BSc Physiology & Sports Science PhD Clinical Exercise Physiology PG Cert. Information Technology Applied to Tourism, Leisure & Sport PG Cert. Academic Practice Various Coaching & Instructing Qualifications Worked in Public Health/Health Promotion

BSc Physiology & Sports Science

PhD Clinical Exercise Physiology

PG Cert. Information Technology Applied to Tourism, Leisure & Sport

PG Cert. Academic Practice

Various Coaching & Instructing Qualifications

Worked in Public Health/Health Promotion

New Ways of Doing Things e e e e e

Social Phenomenon http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/health/30exer.html http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1661688,00.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7262770.stm Video Games Industry Size 2008 >€15,000 Million

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/health/30exer.html

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1661688,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7262770.stm

Gym-based ExerGames

Laboratory Measures

Energy Expenditure – Active versus Sedentary Video Game

Summary Energy Expenditure

Novelty Factor or Persuasive Active eGames? Degree of authority Develops skills Exercise more accessible General exercise tips Helpful suggestions Monitors usage Negative feedback Positive experience Positive feedback Praises the player Progress chart Reflects the player Rewards progress Tailors exercise Visually attractive

Degree of authority

Develops skills

Exercise more accessible

General exercise tips

Helpful suggestions

Monitors usage

Negative feedback

Positive experience

Positive feedback

Praises the player

Progress chart

Reflects the player

Rewards progress

Tailors exercise

Visually attractive

We Have the Technology…

Paradigm Shift Persuasive Message ( “Exercise is Good for You!” ) Perceived Reward Persuasive Interactive Experience Real Reward “ Playing to live” “Jouer pour livre” “Spielen um zu leben”

Persuasive Message ( “Exercise is Good for You!” )

Perceived Reward

Persuasive Interactive Experience

Real Reward

Who is Setting the Agenda?? www.touchgenerations.com

Future of Active eGames Maximise the Opportunity Dialogue with Games Developers Personal Activity Platform/Profile eGame Energy Expenditure Ratings? Sustainable Future Models for in game advertising/sponsorship Casual games (adverts tie in, e.g. QR codes) Develop social/networking/online aspects

Maximise the Opportunity

Dialogue with Games Developers

Personal Activity Platform/Profile

eGame Energy Expenditure Ratings?

Sustainable Future

Models for in game advertising/sponsorship

Casual games (adverts tie in, e.g. QR codes)

Develop social/networking/online aspects

Contact Dr Alasdair G Thin Active Video Games Researcher Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK a.g.thin@hw.ac.uk www.GamerSizeScience.org Available for Research, Consulting and Speaking Engagements