Patent ID: 8939831
Filing Date: 2015-01-27
Classification: A63F

Abstract:
1. A method of playing a video game comprising: providing a game character within a video game executing on a gaming device, the gaming device including a processor operative to execute the following steps, the game character having a virtual appearance characteristic displayable on the gaming device; receiving, within the gaming device, an input signal indicative of a user exercise performance level; and altering the virtual appearance characteristic in response to receiving the input signal, wherein achievement of a pre-determined exercise performance level results in a virtual appearance characteristic transformation and an improved gaming performance level of the game character within the video game; wherein the video game is executable over the internet as part of an exercise group that includes a first user and a second user, wherein the first user and the second user play the video game and wherein the method further comprises displaying the game character of the first user to the second user as a representation of the first user such that the second user can see that the first user has achieved the pre-determined exercise performance level based on the altered virtual appearance characteristic.