Electronic Arts wants to be part of the Wii magic for women interested in getting fit. The publisher of popular game series under its EA Sports label, including Madden, NASCAR and NBA Live, has developed EA Sports Active, a game exclusively for Nintendo’s Wii game console. The game will be available in the spring.
Electronic Arts is touting EA Sports Active as a fun alternative to getting in shape without having to use any exercise equipment. It includes several interactive activities that are combined into a circuit routine that targets both the upper and lower body. It also includes cardio exercises.
“EA Sports Active and our entrance into the fitness space is an exciting and groundbreaking milestone for EA Sports,” said Peter Moore, president of EA Sports. “As we continue to expand our brand, we have a real opportunity to redefine the home-fitness experience with a more Western cardiovascular approach and exercises that will appeal to a diverse audience, getting people off the couch and into shape while interacting with our products in a way never before possible.”
The $59.99 game, developed with several fitness experts, including the popular Bob Greene, Oprah Winfrey’s personal trainer, has real-time feedback, including how many calories the user burns. It also allows users to adjust workouts based on the desired intensity.
Users can also use the game’s 30-day challenge, described as a fitness road map for players to reach their fitness goals. Users are guided along the way with a virtual trainer. Each time a user exercises, she gets a new 20-minute workout along with instructions and feedback on the routine. Users can also customize their workouts, choosing both the intensity and duration of the workout.
EA Sports Active comes with leg straps that hold the Wii’s nunchuck controller to track lower-body movements. Also…