My name is Kyle Hanke, and I am a gamer. I always have been and I'm pretty sure I always will be. I think its in my DNA. By this time most people know about Nintendo and their recent shift in the focus of their business. The company has stopped producing content exclusively for members hardcore gaming persuasion and is making an attempt to target casual gamers as well as non gamers. While Nintendo has not abandoned its die hard fans completely, a new Metroid title to be produced by the illustrious Team Ninja is proof enough of that, there can be no doubt that they have devoted a good deal of time and energy to tapping into a much larger market.
The uproar created by Nintendo's latest business plan was far from insignificant. Many members of the gaming community felt as though Nintendo was deserting the very people who had made them so successful in years past. The companies supposed betrayal was the hot topic for blogs, Internet forums, and web comics alike. Reading some of the things I read made it sound as though Nintendo was burning all its bridges and dancing like a loon amidst the terrible flames.
Personally, I have since come to believe that such is not the case. Even though Nintendo is undoubtedly building new bridges, that's not to say they're destroying the old ones. I've had loads of fun playing games like Smash Bros Brawl, No More Heroes, and Mad World to name few. In fact, Ive recently formulated the hypothesis that Nintendo's new found desire to appeal to people from all walks of life could actually benefit the gaming community as well. I'll admit, I'm not happy about large numbers of mostly unenlightened people trespassing on sacred gaming ground. What was once a distinct lifestyle know only to a few is now burgeoning into an almost universally accepted past time. More people are playing video games today than ever before and those of us who consider ourselves hard core gamers are going to have to get used to the idea.
Which brings me to my point. I think we can make this thing work both ways. If the mainstream of human society can enter into our sheltered world, using the bridge built for them by Nintendo, than maybe we can cross that same bridge and reap some of the benefits. I will admit I consider that a rather large maybe at this point but that's why I'm here. I'm here to test one of the more innovative technologies to come out for a console platform in recent years, the Wii Fit.
Now if you're an avid a gamer as I am, the chances are you don't have a lot of time or desire to exercise. My character in Fallout Three has maxed out Strength and Endurance, so why should I have to worry about it? Recently I decided that I did worry about it. I've been steadily gaining weight since I graduated High School and it finally got to the point where I decided I did need to worry about it.
Now Ive made attempts to get in shape before but most of them have failed miserably. Mostly because I have no idea what I'm doing. I could tell you the best way to beat Ninja Gaiden Black on Very Hard or how to max out character stats in a Fire Emblem game but there's absolutely no way I could describe how to do a push up properly. One of the main selling points of the Wii fit has been its ability to help you set goals and track your progress. I'd like to see if the Wii Fit can help me succeed where I've failed in the past.
To that end. Ive started a daily regemine of diet and exercise. Until now, I'd survived mostly and a Gamers diet: Sugar, salt, caffeine, and alcohol. Ive had to cut out things like beer, cheese, and fast food in general. That part isn't so hard, it sucks, but its doable. The tough part is finding the discipline needed to exercise and stay active on a day to day basis. I figure I've been trained fom a young age to complete my virtual mission objective no matter how many game overs I see scroll across the screen so maybe some of that dedication will carry over into my work outs.
If my experiment interests any of my gaming brothers and sisters out there I invite you to check back weekly as I report my progress. I'll be evaluating three things. First, how effective to I feel the exercises are. Second, are the exercises fun and challenging. Third, do I feel like the Wii fit is actually helping me meet my fitness goals as an average gamer.
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