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Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

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Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#101

Post by douglaspaul »

ponker wrote: post #88

I am a couch potato who is eating and lazing myself towards an early death... but I've played VR games and found myself only noticing how exhausted I was when the game ended, as opposed to exercise, where I hate what I'm doing when I start and it only gets worse from there. VR might be the mindhack that dramatically improves public health.

Yes! Great to hear you've found something that effectively distracts you from getting fit! For me it has always been adventure sport - I grew up having to distract myself with skateboards, climbing, mountain bikes, surfing, etc to keep myself healthy, because just running for the sake of it was awful!

Our take on this is that - like your experience with VR - there is a way to make exercise fun, and therefore distract you from the work you're having to do during it.

Out of interest do you own a VR headset currently?

Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#102

Post by erohead »

ponker wrote: post #89

Why is a YC company, perhaps the kind of company with the most access to capital, on Kickstarter? I get that it's free capital but it's a terrible look. I will wait until you have something to ship, or if YC underwrites you and says that they will refund Kickstarters if you fail to deliver.

Kickstarter is not the same as venture capital (and is certainly not 'free capital'). It's validation that actual customers are interested in the product and want to buy/use it. There are certainly risks associated with backing a project as a customer, but presumably the folks backing this campaign feel like the benefit is worth the risk.

Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#103

Post by douglaspaul »

glitcher wrote: post #91
douglaspaul wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the feedback, and you've raised some great points. We're absolutely on-board with the idea of multiple games - we have the launch title being developed (that you've seen in our current artwork), and others in mind. Out of interest, what would be your preferred style of game for combat fitness? We've had some good discussions around this in our Discord server. To your concerns re: body posture and movement;…

For me personally, I would prefer a more realistic style fighting game for combat fitness where my opponent looks and moves like a real person. Or even something along the lines of the classic arcade fighting games like Mortal Kombat where the violence gets a little more graphic. Basically games that feel like they are targeted at adults instead of all ages family friendly. But I understand the need for variety, and…

I can tell you we share that view - we're looking forward to growing out more games in the future, however we aim to make the launch time compelling to users of all ages, and that means getting the story absolutely right. There were definitely jokes in the team early on about licensing Mortal Kombat to up the ante of the fights!

Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#104

Post by andybak »

douglaspaul wrote: post #42
andybak wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I assumed VR when I read "immersive". Is that just me?

Can see where you're coming from - VR's key USP is often touted as'immersion'. For us, it's about building something that is exciting enough to distract you from the workout you're doing - the gaming takes over from the awareness of your exercise in your mind. There are a number of ways to do this, some would include VR. For now we've opted against it as our users found VR fitness too sweaty and uncomfortable in its…

I'm a big fan of VR in general (but looking forward to improvements in comfort).

How sweaty you find it is surely a function of your local climate and availability of air-con. I wouldn't play Beat Saber in the summer without good air flow but then I'm in the UK where air-con is fairly rare in the home.

But I can happily play for 45-60 minutes when it's not super hot in the house.

Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#105

Post by chaostheory »

shay_ker wrote: post #16

I absolutely LOVE this. Really considering backing the kickstarter. Some thoughts I had off the top of my head: - This seems feels like a good use case for VR to have something totally immersive. Not sure how steady VR headsets are these days though... - Are there mechanics to "level up", like an RPG? I think that type of structure motivates a lot of people to keep playing and "grinding" - What about P2P? It seems ha…

> Not sure how steady VR headsets are these days though...

VR headsets are pretty secure in general. The problem is comfort and the other is sweat. Comfort will vary headset to headset but there are lots of accessories and mods to deal with both issues.

The best thing about VR is immersion. There are also several really good boxing/fighting games out now. One of them is good enough where a pro-boxer uses it for training much like some pro drivers use driving sims to practice. The only things missing are resistance and feedback. I can see Quell's straps being used in VR. The best I've seen for feedback is wear a suit or vest of bunch of small speakers. It's not ideal, but it's better than nothing.

Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#107

Post by ponker »

erohead wrote: post #102
ponker wrote: post #89

Why is a YC company, perhaps the kind of company with the most access to capital, on Kickstarter? I get that it's free capital but it's a terrible look. I will wait until you have something to ship, or if YC underwrites you and says that they will refund Kickstarters if you fail to deliver.

Kickstarter is not the same as venture capital (and is certainly not 'free capital'). It's validation that actual customers are interested in the product and want to buy/use it. There are certainly risks associated with backing a project as a customer, but presumably the folks backing this campaign feel like the benefit is worth the risk.

It absolutely is free capital, in the same way that a 0% interest bank loan would be free capital. You don't have to give any interest, any equity, or any collateral in case of failure. How much freer does capital get?

Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#108

Post by ponker »

douglaspaul wrote: post #101
ponker wrote: post #88

I am a couch potato who is eating and lazing myself towards an early death... but I've played VR games and found myself only noticing how exhausted I was when the game ended, as opposed to exercise, where I hate what I'm doing when I start and it only gets worse from there. VR might be the mindhack that dramatically improves public health.

Yes! Great to hear you've found something that effectively distracts you from getting fit! For me it has always been adventure sport - I grew up having to distract myself with skateboards, climbing, mountain bikes, surfing, etc to keep myself healthy, because just running for the sake of it was awful! Our take on this is that - like your experience with VR - there is a way to make exercise fun, and therefore distract…

I don't own one right now. Thinking about an Oculus Quest for Beat Saber or the HP Reverb G2 for Flight Simulator. Obviously the first is better for exercise.

Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#109

Post by chris_st »

douglaspaul wrote: post #96
chris_st wrote: post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you're still reading comments :-) I remembered a few other things Les Mills does that are great. They have a lot of training videos, several for each class of exercise they do. They're in-depth, and really show you the form. They add tips to the actual work-outs, so you're constantly reminded of good form. They have alternatives to most of the exercises, so you can modify them if you have (e.g.) knee problems, or…

Ah a Les Mills fan! I have several friends who love the training too, although I haven't heard much about the on-demand stuff until now. Thanks for sharing it! How has the community element of LM translated to their app? Do you still have ways of engaging or competing?

As far as I know, there's no competing in the app; can't say I've explored every crevice but I haven't seen it.

There is a Facebook group (which I haven't joined) which is, I gather, more supportive than competitive. They do videos every once in a while where they get their trainers/directors to either discuss techniques or answer Q&A. It's support-oriented.

Re: Launch HN: Quell (YC S20) – Immersive gaming and combat workout

#110

Post by jfim »

Backed it, since it looks pretty fun.

Out of curiosity, are there plans to have it track body motion (eg. via IMUs in the chest strap part)? One of the most enjoyable arcade light gun experiences is "Police 911 2", which is a light gun game that tracks the users' body so that they can take cover. I'd guess it would be fun if one can dodge attacks by ducking/leaning.

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