HitMotion: Reloaded blends VR, MR, and exercise to create a truly unique fitness experience.
It’s safe to say VR changed the way people think of video games. With the introduction of immersive entertainment, gaming is no longer a strictly sedentary experience. Instead, users are up on their feet, interacting with their digital environments in a much more physical manner than conventional console and PC gaming. Many of these experiences can actually rev up your heart rate to levels that can burn some serious calories.
Thanks to games such as Beat Saber, Space Pirate Trainer, and Audio Trip, people are trading in their gym memberships for VR headsets, and they are seeing big results. Mat Chacon, CEO of Doghead Simulation, used VR for training purposes and dropped 15 pounds while gaining some serious muscle weight. With the success of these physically-active experiences, multiple studios have begun looking into developing their own fitness-focused immersive games.
Developed by New Technology Walkers, HitMotion: Reloaded is a new exercise game that’s half boxing, half dodging, and 100% cardio fun.
What separates this game from its VR counterparts is its unique use of mixed reality technology. Using the HTC Vive Focus Plus’ passthrough capabilities, players engaged in a VR exercise are able to see their real-world surroundings while they workout. It’s sort of like having your own mixed reality gym, minus the need of any expensive equipment. By allowing users to view their real-world surroundings while in-headset, HitMotion: Reloaded significantly decreases the risk of any accidental collisions; no more punching walls or nearby bystanders!
Using MR technology as a virtual safety net, players can take full advantage of their game room as they punch objects in an attempt to score the most points possible. To rack up the highest score you’ll need to hit moving targets by using the correct hand and corresponding punch type. Two motion controllers track the player’s hands as they throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts throughout each round.
As players continue their virtual training sessions, certain targets will even begin to strike back! Players should be prepared to dodge a variety of attacks from a handful of different enemies. Just a few rounds of ducking and diving should be enough to leave even physically-active players feeling sore.
Currently, HitMotion: Reloaded is available as a free demo for the Vive Focus Plus, but the creators are planning on making the full game available very soon.
In an interview with VRScout, Antony Vitillo, Multimedia Developer & PR for New Technology Walkers said, “We will start with the Vive Focus Plus, and then possibly port the game to other platforms in 2020,” adding, “this is because we have been supported by HTC since the beginning (with hardware and a little financial support). But in 2020 we will consider other platforms as well!”
As previously stated, the experience is still in development, so the visuals are a bit rough at the moment. New Technology Walkers decided to launch early in order to gain immediate feedback from users in the hopes of continuously improving the experience. Yes, your feedback matters!
Vitello actually wants you to email him directly with your feedback, notes, suggestions. “Yes, tell me your impressions via e-mail or on my social media channels.”
You can also find Vitillo on Twitter or through his website, The Ghost Howls.
NeHitMotion has already been showcased at WCVRI in Nanchang, China and has received very positive feedback from major companies including HP, HTC, Huawei, and more than 150 other people who have tried their MR game.
Though Vitillo says HitMotion: Reloaded is still “rough”, the truth is it’s a sharp-looking MR game that shows a lot of promise as an effective fitness solution. It just needs a little tweaking, and that is where you come in.
HitMotion: Reloaded is available now as a free download on the Viveport store.
For more information, check out the New Technology Walkers website.
Feature Image Credit: New Technology Walkers
