GAMR - Active Gaming Play Pad
- Feb 18
- 2 min read
A Next-Gen Play Pad for Active Gaming and DDR-style Rhythm Games
The Controller You Step On: GAMR Active Play Pad
Most video games keep players glued to a chair for hours. While traditional exercise routines can feel repetitive and forced, people are often left choosing between entertainment and staying active. GAMR is changing the paradigm with a smart gaming pad that turns your body into the controller. By blending physical movement into games you already love to play, they promise a fun, interactive way for all ages to get off the couch without it feeling like a chore.
Project Overview
Name and Creator: GAMR - Active Gaming Play Pad by GAMR.
What It Is: GAMR is a Bluetooth enabled, pressure-sensitive floor mat that acts as a video game controller. Built with a 3x3 sensor grid, it allows players to control characters and actions by stepping, jumping, or shifting their balance. It works seamlessly with smartphones, Smart TVs, and PCs, supporting existing casual mobile games, classic arcade rhythm games, and custom-built GAMR titles.
Key Features
Three Specialized Models: The lineup includes three variants tailored to different users. "Rhythm" is optimized for precise arcade dance games, "Junior" is scaled for kids aged 2 to 11, and "Active" is designed for adults and seniors featuring a 360-degree center sensor for balance board gaming.
Universal Compatibility: You do not need proprietary consoles or adapters. The pad connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to iOS, Android, Apple TV, PC, and Mac to control hundreds of existing games like Temple Run, Crossy Road, and Pac-Man 256.
DDR Rhythm Support: For hardcore arcade fans, the pad connects via an optional wired USB mode for zero-latency gameplay, fully supporting rhythm community favorites like StepMania, ITGmania, and Project OutFox.
GAMR Original Titles: The team is developing a suite of custom games designed specifically for movement, focusing on reaction time, balance, and coordination rather than traditional joystick inputs.
Premium Build: Crafted from durable, non-slip Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) with an anti-skid base, it weighs just 2 to 3 lbs and features a rechargeable battery that provides up to 12 hours of continuous play.
Rewards
Kickstarter Pricing: Backers can secure a VIP discount, bringing the price down to $139 compared to the planned $219 retail price.
Options: During the post-campaign survey, backers can select which specific variant they want to receive: Junior, Rhythm, or Active.
Delivery: The campaign has successfully raised over $290,000, and the team is preparing for mass production and fulfillment in the coming months.
Concept The core concept is "Friction-Free Movement." GAMR believes that physical activity should be a natural byproduct of play, not something you have to force into a rigid schedule. By turning popular games into full-body experiences, they aim to remove the hesitation associated with traditional fitness and make moving around something people actively look forward to.
Inspiration The project was born from a common modern struggle. A group of parents and technologists noticed their children spending excessive time in front of screens while their older parents became less active due to boring routine exercises. They realized they needed a solution that kept the joy of gaming intact while encouraging everyone in the household to stand up and move, leading to the creation of an intuitive, universally compatible play pad.
