EA Sports Active challenges Wii Fit @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on November 13, 2008

News: Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you. No you can't! Yes I can!

EA Sports has announced plans to enter the Wii fitness game craze with the EA Sports Active. The game, which will be developed by EA Canada will be released in Spring 2009 and will actually not make use of the Wii Balance Board.

Instead, the game will be packaged with special leg straps for the Nunchuk that will track leg movements along with a resistance band to support a number of upper body strength training exercises. The game is being designed from the ground up for specifically for women, but EA did say they think all family will find something good in EA Sports Active. To court the female gamer demographic, EA has collaborated on the game with Bob Greene, renowned fitness author and Oprah's personal trainer.

EA Sports Active features a wide variety of interactive activities combined into a circuit that target both the upper and lower body as well as cardio, and supports two players to allow family or friends to get fit together. EA Ssports Active provides a new level of motivation with on-screen, real-time feedback on your workout such as calories burned, while also allowing you to adjust intensity levels.

EA Sports Active features a "30 Day Challenge," a fitness road map for players to reach their fitness goals with the guidance of a virtual trainer. The Challenge provides a new, 20-minute workout every time a player exercises, including clear instruction, feedback on technique and positive encouragement throughout the workout. Each circuit will feel different and increase in intensity as fitness levels improve to help you work up a sweat and work toward your fitness goals. Users can also create their own custom workouts that vary in activity, duration and intensity, and the Wii Balance Board will add functionality to many exercises.

Finally, EA has confirmed this is just the first in a complete line of games that will focus on personal fitness. Although they did not say whether the games would only be released for the Wii or if they would make an appearance on other consoles.