There’s little doubt that Nintendo’s Wii created — or at least redefined — the genre of fitness gaming as it exists today. So it’s not surprising that today the game company and the American Heart Association announced a partnership that will put the iconic nonprofit organization’s logos on Nintendo gaming products that foster physical activity.
The joint effort is aimed at helping people create healthy lifestyles through physically active play. The two organizations will work together to find new ways for physically oriented video games to contribute to healthy living by arming gamers with information, hands-on experiences and expert advice.
“Our two organizations come from different worlds, but we share a common goal,” said Clyde Yancy, M.D., president of the American Heart Association, in a statement. “Showing people accessible ways to stay active has been a part of our mission for decades, but our research tells us nearly 70 percent of Americans are getting no regular physical activity. As an organization we are looking for ways to change this. Nintendo has demonstrated clear leadership in active-play video games with the popularity of the Wii system, and I’m confident that together we can encourage Americans to become more physically active.”
“Nintendo has been helping people get up off the couch and get playing since the Wii system launched in 2006,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales and marketing. “By joining forces with the American Heart Association, we further our commitment to bringing fun and accessible active-play video games to a broader audience.”
Will this endorsement from the organization on the front line in the battle against cardiac disease put a dent in other companies’ efforts to slim down America — and make a buck doing it?
