Bandai RPG Pedometers animate your steps

Written by: Michael Keferl on October 17, 2008 at 5:45 pm | In DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION | 3 Comments

Bandai will soon be releasing two new hybrid pedometer games to keep you entertained while racking up the miles as you go about your life. With two versions based on the classic anime Space Cruiser Yamato (Star Blazers) and 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother, the idea is to set personal goals of exercise and achieve them in a fun way.

The journey is supposed to be completed in about 90 days, and more steps bring the walker to daily goals which, once achieved, display icons and events along with the storyline.

To increase the interaction, users also create accounts for online access where they can keep track of body weight, health stats, and get free health advice. It’s also possible to track the storyline online while the journey is still in progress.

With a target market of thirty-somethings, the Bandai pedometers are set to be released in December for about $45 and are expected to sell 300,000 units each by March 2009.

Tags: Bandai, Electronics, Games, health, Pedometers, Wellness
Category: DIGITAL LIFE, LIFESTYLE / FASHION
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

Jinsei Game of Life pedometer

Written by: Michael Keferl on July 21, 2008 at 3:11 am | In DIGITAL LIFE | 6 Comments

Are pedometer-based toys the next big thing? Now that the “brain trainer” craze has died down, and all of this stationary game playing is making us fat and lazy, games are now forcing us to get off the couch and go somewhere.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Jinsei Game (otherwise known as the Game of Life), Takara Tomy is releasing a toy that mixes the exercise qualities of the Lap Around Japan toy with the tamagotchi-like interactivity of Takara Tomy’s other “jinsei series” products.

The Jinsei Game Puchi is a pedometer-based game that doesn’t let you play unless you get some exercise! With every 300 steps you take, the wheel gets a single spin to move you through the game. Get a job, make money, have kids, buy a house, and live your life…as long as you keep walking.

For those with a jogging partner, two players can play on one device, or play with the “communication mode” by using more than one.

Jinsei Game Puchi will be available at the end of July 2008.

Product page

Tags: Games, Takara Tomy, Toys
Category: DIGITAL LIFE
Other categories: MARKETING IDEAS, LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS

UFO Catcher for ice cream hits Japan’s game centers

Written by: Rebecca Milner on July 8, 2008 at 2:39 pm | In DIGITAL LIFE, MARKETING IDEAS | 3 Comments

ATLUS has developed the “Triple Catcher Ice”, THE state-of-the-art prize machine carrying the latest freezing technology. “Triple Catcher Ice” is so unique that it will be absolutely imperative at every amusement scene worldwide. - Atlus

Game maker Atlus has come up with a UFO catcher specifically designed to dish out ice cream, the Triple Catcher Ice -25. All the important selling points are in the name: the crane game uses a three prong claw designed to resemble a scoop and maintains a temperature of -25C to ensure that the frozen treats are solid enough to avoid harm from play. In addition, the Triple Catcher can be played by up to 4 people at once, but requires only the amount of electricity needed to power one machine.

The machines made their debut with a lineup from Akagi’s GariGari Land ice cream series. Featuring Akagi’s famous mascot Gari Gari kun, the collection includes the popular soda flavored ice bar, strawberry vanilla parfait cup, chocolate vanilla soft cream cup, and the vanilla short ice bar. The word on the street is that it’s not too tough either!

In other Gari Gari news, Akagi has announced the summer debut of the “Gari Ten 2008” weather forecast site the expresses the day’s temperature in the number of soda ices required to sufficiently cool down.

Not taking into account the sweat you’d work up trying to win them from the UFO catcher, of course.

Tags: Games, Gari Gari kun, ice cream, UFO catchers
Category: DIGITAL LIFE, MARKETING IDEAS
Other categories: LIFESTYLE / FASHION, PRODUCT INNOVATIONS