this is not even real

You're right... and the 60 000s people who are playing with Bodypad (already sold here : www.bodypad.com) as well as all the E3 2006 public who has seen the demos are not real either :))

The bodypad is a very cool idea for adding more control and complexity to games. Fighting games can get the most use the this tool (as it has already been demonstrated at conventions, see the links to video footage on that page) because fighting is based on body movements focused on hurting your opponent. Using this tool, you can immerse yourself deeper into the game by emulating the fighters movements directly with your body instead of pressing buttons.

Another great way you could apply this controler is with exersize games. Not only could you have an intructional video, but you could have an interactive intructional video with features like the instructor telling you if you are doing the exersizes correctly or not, or not being able to move on until you finish the exersize. You could even have an add on to measure heart rate, if you are trying to meet a certian goal, or to tell when you are cooled down or warmed up enough.

The bodypad would probably appeal to any gamer because it actually allows a player to physically control their character; however, in reality, is quite boring. Think about it, if a player were to play mortal kombat your only actions would be to kick and punch. How would you be able to use the special moves such as the ice move by Sub-Zero or the flying kick by Lu Kang? Many of the fighting moves in these games are physically impossible to reenact like flips or flying kicks. I find it really difficult to picture any person wasting their time and looking stupid using the bodypad. Some of the main reasons why people play these fighting games is for the cool and intense special moves. The bodypad definetly would take away from fighting games because it only offers the kick and punch mentality. For these reason, I feel that the bodypad would never really be a sucessful accessory.

The bodypad would probably appeal to any gamer because it actually allows a player to physically control their character; however, in reality, is quite boring. Think about it, if a player were to play mortal kombat your only actions would be to kick and punch. How would you be able to use the special moves such as the ice move by Sub-Zero or the flying kick by Lu Kang? Many of the fighting moves in these games are physically impossible to reenact like flips or flying kicks. I find it really difficult to picture any person wasting their time and looking stupid using the bodypad. Some of the main reasons why people play these fighting games is for the cool and intense special moves. The bodypad definetly would take away from fighting games because it only offers the kick and punch mentality. For these reason, I feel that the bodypad would never really be a sucessful accessory.

Hey, they're selling it at BJ's in the US now.
This unit puts the controller buttons in your hands, so you do the special moves.
The bodypad site has videos of the better games and demos of how to do some of the moves.
Lots of fun, but very tiring. You also need lots of room because you tend to lose track of what's around you.
And you do look silly when you first hook all the gear up.

answer to Ferris.

YES, using Bodypad, one can make punches and kicks using "shadow boxing-like" punches and kicks. and that's fun!

BUT YES one can also do all directional signals (Up, Down, Left, Right) using the directional button on the Bodypad left handle.

BUT YES one can also do L1,L2,R1 and R2 signals using the Bodypad right handle 4 buttons.

BUT YES one can combine those signals (all punches, kicks, L1-R2, directions) to make ALL Mortal Kombat special moves, Sub-Zero Ice move or Lu-Kang flying kick or fatalities.

You do not have to reenact a flip to make it in the game, you just have to "begin" such move to trigger it.

You do not look stupid doing so, you just REALLY have fun and you use all your body, fingers AND punch/kick to trigger and combinate all signals and make all moves.

YES it's not easy to master but you definitively get IN the game, into 100% of the game and not only "punch/kick mentality"

It's not bad to know at least a bit of something before posting negative comment.
Have a check at www.bodypad.com.

Hello,

I and two colleagues have both the Bodypad, but the expectations were desapointing. Unfortunately the ideia, that we had was that the Bodypad had sensors of movement as of the commands of the Nintendo Wii. But Unfortunately, not! The reality is that the sensors of the arms and legs are only big buttons that are alternative to the buttons of the normal control of console and that we pressure when we fold the arms or the legs.

Regards. Rui.

I think the part of playing a videogame that is so appealing is the fact that you get to just sit there. Duckhunt was enough movement for me. And I agree with Ferris, I don't know how to do an upsidedown helicopter kick, and I'm not learning anytime soon.