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Disclaimer

The information on the Physicam web site is designed only to help you make informed decisions about fitness. It is not intended as any kind of substitute for the advice or treatment that may have been prescribed by your physician. Before adhering to any of the information or recommendations, you should consult with your doctor.

Understand that you are solely responsible for the way this information is perceived and utilized, and do so at your own risk. In no way will we be responsible for any kind of injuries or health problems that might occur due to the use of this website, software or the advice contained in it.

What is Physicam

Physicam is a technology that makes it easy to control PC video games using a web cam in place of a keyboard, mouse, or joystick. You can use the Camtroller program to play your favorite games; including commercial games you buy in a store and free games you play online. You can also find games built specifically for using Physicam, including those built by Jack Games.

The intent of the technology was to make it easy to add a new level of interaction with games. The side effect is that playing games by swinging your arms, running in place, jumping, etc. is legitimate physical activity; at least, much more than sitting there clicking.

Fitness Benefits

Physicam makes the typically immobile activity of playing video games and makes it mobile. The combination of physical activity and video games has been seen before in games like Dance Dance Revolution and peripherals like the NES Power Pad. In some regards, it is fair to compare Physicam to these products however Physicam has been built with freedom of scalability in mind. Physicam does not rely on special games to be developed for it nor does require special hardware (assuming you have a standard web cam). You can play special Physicam games, but with Camtroller you can also take the games you already like and add this new level of interaction.

Physicam also makes physical activity more accessible. Not only is the space, investment, initial cost and maintenance of Physicam much less than any treadmill, Stairmaster or exercise bike; it is also more interactive and provides more incentive and excitement than the mundane routine of gym equipment. One a treadmill you run. In a game you may be running down the field for a touchdown, running through a labyrinth to escape some monsters, or running from one side of the world to the other. Both ways you are running; with Physicam you are given an experience.

Personal Experience

I have my own personal experience with the side effects of playing games with Physicam. When I started development of Physicam in 2002, I was 272 pounds. I lost 90 pounds and was down to 6.5% body fat between then and the release of Physicam in early 2006.

Is Physicam solely responsible for this metamorphosis? Probably not entirely. I am not a physician or dietician and I cannot say for sure. As documented here, however, the use of Physicam did contribute to this by making exercise more accessible and engaging; and by adding action to my inactive hobby.

Have your own experiences? Discuss in our forums!

All photos on this page were taken by Physicam during game play

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