US-based video game publisher 2K Games is encouraging gamers to become more physically active by offering in-game rewards for real-life exercise.

The company has teamed up with wearable tech firm Fitbit to set up a rewards system for players of its new NBA 2K17 game – the top-selling basketball game simulation.
Gamers who achieve 10,000 steps in a day – tracked with their Fitbit device – will receive a temporary attribute boost to their MyPlayer in the NBA 2K17 game, enhancing their performance on the simulated court.

Once users connect their Fitbit tracker with NBA 2K17 on Xbox One or PlayStation4, their real-world step activity can start working toward the 10,000 steps per day goal for receiving in-game boosts.
After users reach the steps milestone, their MyPlayer will improve its ability across categories such as agility, layups and dunks – significantly improving performance for the next five games played that day.

“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 to achieve their goals in life and in-game,” said Alfie Brody, VP of Marketing for NBA 2K.