Are Fitness Games Pioneering the Online Gaming Industry?

In the past few years, the online gaming market has grown at an outstanding pace, becoming one of the most renowned and profitable areas in the global entertainment arena. However, what's remarkable in the ever-evolving entertainment industry is the merging of two seemingly distinct realms: gaming and fitness. These traditionally distinct domains are now merging, giving birth to a captivating and dynamic trend known as "fitness gaming" or Active Video Games (AVG). This fusion of fitness and immersive gaming experiences is redefining how people used to consider leisure as well as well-being, offering a unique and engaging way to stay fit while having fun.

The Fitness Gaming Revolution

Gamers are no longer stereotyped as sedentary people. Fitness gaming is changing these views and pushing people to live more active lives through video games. Fitness gaming, or AVG, has been around for a while, but it's gaining traction and appeal, making it one of the most notable 3D video game trends in 2023.

People used to believe that video games were only for individuals who were too lazy to be physically active. Video games can now make you sweat and burn calories, assisting you in getting in shape. Thanks to the invention of online fitness games. 

The Rise of Augmented Reality in Fitness Gaming

Augmented reality fitness (AR fitness) is an interesting part of fitness games. These games are designed with augmented reality development in mind, combining physical training with interactive gaming to give a virtual fitness experience that is as enjoyable as it is helpful. AR fitness is gaining popularity as a fun and practical method to keep in shape, demonstrating that the virtual world can improve our physical lives. For instance, Apple is poised to once again revolutionize the way people enjoy entertainment and exercise. The tech giant is rumored to be completing development of an innovative mixed reality headset that smoothly blends virtual reality and augmented reality. While the official reveal at the upcoming annual developer conference, WWDC 2023, is highly awaited, a new source has given light on the amazing potential this headset could provide.

Active Video Gaming: A Fit Future

Active video gaming (AVG) is a game that requires players to move their complete bodies in order to play, and studies show that it can greatly improve physical activity. There are two varieties of AVG: those that combine fitness-related motions to advance in the game and digital apps that use gamification tactics to assist users in developing fitness-related movements.  Active Video Gaming (AVG) is at the forefront of the video game revolution, promising a future that blends the pleasure of gaming with the advantages of an active lifestyle.

Nintendo & Zwift: Pioneers in Online Gaming Industry

The fitness online gaming industry is still emerging, and the top players are evolving rapidly. Zwift and Nintendo are two of the most prominent players in the fitness online gaming market.

• Zwift: Zwift is a popular online cycling and running platform with gamification aspects. It provides a virtual world in which users can compete and train together, making it a major competitor in the online fitness game industry, particularly for bikers and runners.

• Nintendo: With devices such as the Wii Fit and Ring Fit Adventure, Nintendo has been a pioneer in the fitness gaming industry. These games promote physical activity while gaming by employing motion controllers and special peripherals.

The Bottom Line

As we dive further into the gaming world, it becomes clear that the association of technology and fitness is here to stay. Fitness gaming and augmented reality fitness are changing the way we think about exercising by providing fascinating alternatives to standard routines. As more people adopt online games to improve their physical well-being, the world is likely to experience an increase in the number of fitness-focused online games. As per a report by Research Dive, the global online gaming market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.1% from 2023 to 2032. This is because the adoption of fitness gaming is likely to have a marvelous impact on the global online gaming industry. In a nutshell, fitness gaming holds immense potential to become a vibrant force in the online gaming industry in the upcoming years, catering to health-conscious gamers and redefining the relationship between gaming and fitness.

About the Author(s)

     

Pooja Parvatkar

Pooja is an accomplished Editor with almost 6 years of experience in editing and a Master’s degree in analytical chemistry from the Mumbai University. She started off as an academic editor in one of India’s first and largest language solution provider companies. Post her rewarding tenure there, she further went on to pursue the role of a content development editor with a UK-based publishing house and worked in proximity with some of the IT biggies from around the world and published 8 books in a span of 10 months. Pooja currently handles the content and editing team at a market research company in Pune, India. Apart from her career in editing, she has been a professional dancer and specializes in Jive, Salsa, Waltz, Bollywood, Indian Folk, Belly Dancing, Dancersize, and Semiclassical.