Want to get better playing NBA2K17? Want to get healthier while playing video games? Now it can be done.
2K Sports and Fitbit is working together to make sure that their users get a real workout while increasing their chances of playing a good game of NBA2K17.
On Nov. 25, Fitbit owners can start syncing their wearable trackers with NBA 2K17 either on XBox One or PlayStation 4. From then on, the user needs to take 10,000 steps each day.
Once the user tallies 10,000 steps in their Fitbit, the video game will alert the user that their MyPlayer will get an additional 5-point boost to its attributes and success rates. The boost enhances the avatar's ratings on agility, dunk, layup, plus other in-game bonuses.
The +5 will apply to the next five games the user will play after the boost. For the next day, the user needs to take another 10,000 steps to earn a boost for that day's games. The boost is available from Nov. 25 and players can take advantage of this for a whole simulated NBA season.
This isn't the first time that video game developers and gaming companies tried to get gamers off the couch to stretch their muscles even for a bit. There's the Nintendo Wii, Kinect and even the VR consoles. This is the first time, however, that a major league sport is involved. This is also the first time that a particular video game will require the player to do an actual exercise.
Forbes explained that players who create a MyPlayer avatar often focus on constructing an image of themselves. This partnership between the 2K Sports and Fitbit allows users to have the experience connected to the user's actual physical fitness.
"Any athlete will tell you that a healthy lifestyle is a major key to success, and by rewarding gamers, for healthy lifestyle habits, we hope to help motivate them achieve their goals in life and in-game," according to Alfie Brody, the vice president of marketing of 2K Sports.
The latest Fitbit device in the market is the Charge 2. A couple of new Fitbit wearables, codenamed Laryon and Fermion, are currently being field tested.
