Imagine a world where the lines between fantasy and reality blur, and exercising and having fun become synonymous and inseparable. This long-desired concept, once confined to our wildest dreams, has become an accessible reality because of active gaming.
Active gaming isn’t just a buzzword used to describe something that already exists but needs to be revitalised. Instead, it’s a reimagined mode of blending entertainment and exercise, and a culmination of technological advancements, concerted efforts for meaningful gaming experiences and a sharpened focus on health.
What is Active Gaming?
Active gaming is a term that combines the previously separate elements of being active and playing video games. Unlike conventional electronic gaming that often involves sitting down and using consoles, computers, mobile phones or any other device, active gaming encourages players to move their bodies, often by weaving these physical actions directly into games.
To do this, active gaming employs advanced technologies such as motion sensors, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to track and respond to the movements of players. This level of hardware, software, and game design, including its gameplay mechanics, user-friendliness and level progression, tends to make active games highly interactive and immersive.
Active gaming can be found in innumerable genres, including and not limited to dance, sports, horror, shooter, simulation, survival and more.
Benefits of Active Gaming
Active gaming offers countless benefits for physical and mental well-being, promoting fitness and reducing stress. Moreover, it provides remarkable social benefits due to its oftentimes multiplayer nature.
Physical Benefits
One of the most distinguishing features of active gaming is its requirement for body movement and physical activity. Fitness-oriented games may directly instruct players to perform exercises like back presses, russian twists, and mountain climbers.
In contrast, other games, such as combat-based ones, may demand more subtle actions, such as punching, kicking and blocking; and survival-themed ones running and jumping. These factors can make active gaming advantageous for improving cardiovascular health, burning more calories and even refining coordination and balance.
Mental Benefits
There is substantial evidence suggesting that video games contribute to stress relief by supporting emotional awareness and goal achievement. Furthermore, research has found correlations between playing video games and increased brain matter.
Delving into mechanics and controls of games, studies have also observed enhanced cognitive abilities such as attention, visual and spatial awareness, working memory, mental flexibility and impulse control among video gamers. Active gaming may lend an added benefit of increased eye-hand coordination due to its demand for a synergy of visual and motor skills.
Social Benefits
There are a couple of ways active gaming can foster social health. The most notable of them is their promotion of multiplayer interactions and community building.
Active gaming facilities frequently host sizable groups of up to eight players for each game, allowing colleagues, friends and family members to bond over unique gaming experiences that facilitate teamwork and joint problem-solving.
On the other hand, these are meeting grounds for disparate individuals in the gaming community. Some games also offer the limelight of leaderboards that showcase top scores for friendly competition that bonds, rather than divides.
Types of Active Gaming
Although active gaming is a relatively new form of entertainment, it has spurred a wave of subclassifications that are captivating the gaming community. One such category is exergaming, which emphasises the exercise aspect, catering to individuals seeking to infuse fun and excitement into their exercise routines.
Meanwhile, virtual reality (VR) immerses players in a three-dimensional environment, allowing them to interact physically with virtual surroundings. Augmented reality (AR) blends virtual and real worlds, enriching the player’s environment with computer-generated content.
Physical, real-world gaming experiences, such as escape rooms and “lava floor” rooms integrate interactive digital elements, like interactive screens and audiovisual effects, and real-life elements, like non-player characters (NPCs), to push the boundaries of themed environments. One similarity among these forms of active gaming is that they enable players to steep themselves into the game in real-time, be it through motion capture, body tracking or physically placing themselves within a curated environment.
Where to Experience Active Gaming
Wondering where you can try out the immersive and dynamic active gaming? Here are some places where you can get started on gamifying your fitness regime, from home and entertainment centres to beyond.
At Home
Personal gaming consoles now enable active gaming experiences within the comfort of your own home, utilising motion-sensor technology, gesture recognition, specialised camera systems and additional peripherals. Examples include the Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Kinect, although these experiences may be limited to the device’s capabilities and the available game titles.
Active Gaming Facilities and Arcades
Select entertainment centres and arcades offer setups where players can immerse themselves in fully interactive technology for gaming. These encompass VR experience centres, escape rooms and arcades furnished with motion-sensing consoles. These venues, like ours at INMERS, often boast more robust and comprehensive active gaming equipment that is usually inaccessible by home setups.
Others
Some mobile games now incorporate AR features, letting players have the opportunity to enjoy their gameplay on-the-go in the real world. A prime example is the popular Pokémon Go, which encourages players to explore and connect with others as they hunt for and train Pokémon characters.
Experience the Pinnacle of Active Gaming at INMERS
INMERS stands out as one of the newest entrants to Singapore’s thriving escape room scene. Flaunting top-tier gaming experiences, our one-of-a-kind, themed escape rooms feature gripping narratives, superior audiovisual effects and advanced game mechanics. What sets us apart from our competitors, especially, is our addition of highly realistic NPCs that will send you reeling from their depth and unpredictability.
Moreover, INMERS is also the first in Singapore to introduce the exhilarating childhood favourite — ‘Floor is Lava’ — reimagined with LED lights, motion sensors and compelling level progression. Try it for yourself, along with friends and family who wouldn’t mind a heart-pumping survival challenge condensed into an action-packed 20 mins. INMERS heralds a new era of active gaming. Reserve a slot with us to experience it today.
