Jillian Michaels
Latest
Samsung brings six fitness apps to its smart TVs
Samsung is adding fitness apps from Barre3, Calm, Jillian Michaels and others to its TVs as it helps people stay fit while in quarantine.
Jillian Michaels gives her Fitness Ultimatum to D3 Publisher
If we keep ignoring the demands set forth by Jillian Michaels, she is going to get really mad. The trainer is giving us her third Fitness Ultimatum, Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2011, so we'd better all get fit or else. She's putting her foot down this time. And this time, the Ultimatum is being delivered only in the form of a Wii game (no DS game), so there's no option to kowtow to Ms. Michaels on the go. Ultimatum 2011 incorporates a more traditional game-like design than its predecessors, including a story mode that involves taking down "an evil food and drug corporation." Intriguingly, the license is now in the hands of D3 Publisher rather than Majesco. Majesco recently popped up in the news when it acquired the My Baby license from SouthPeak (though not with SouthPeak's cooperation), and now one of its former licenses has moved to another company. %Gallery-98907%
Majesco revenues up 60% for second quarter (Thanks, Jillian Michaels, Cooking Mama ... again)
Majesco announced gloated yesterday about its earnings for the second quarter of 2009 (ending April 30, 2009). The company reported net revenues increased 60.8% to $20.5 million over the $12.8 million earned in the same period last year. Majesco attributes the massive increase of revenue to strong software sales for Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009, Cooking Mama titles and Gardening Mama, which hit retailers in March.Last quarter, Majesco's revenues kicked up 75% with its good fortunes also attributed to the same games with Jillian Michaels' Ultimatum selling more than half a million copies. It's then not surprising that Majesco is expanding the brand, bringing out Ultimatum 2010 for Wii and Jillian Michaels Pocket Trainer 2010 on DS next year.
Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum 2010: Not just last year's game with a new number
Majesco could have easily coasted through two or three yearly installments of Jillian Michaels Fitness Ultimatum based on the success of the first one. It could have chosen to stick a few new challenges in the same engine, bring Ms. Michaels in to record a few new lines and profit off of its minimal investment. But according to Michaels, Majesco went beyond that for the sequel to the game you probably ... know someone who played."We went with a different developer this time around," the Biggest Loser star told USA Today's Game Hunters blog, "and now it's much easier to get around the interface, it looks much better and if you like, I can now train you, too." Ultimatum 2010 also includes a Spanish-language option and new multiplayer modes. "Other new features include the option to play in English and Spanish, multiplayer competitions and using a training calendar to set various fitness goals (be it weight loss, toning or strengthening). "The biggest thing I'm excited about is the fact it's now a 'game,'" Michaels said. "It feels like an adventure as you're on a remote island and must compete in boot camp-like activities and traverse through dangerous obstacle courses."While we're not going to take statements from the person whose name is on the game at face value, it does sound like Majesco is putting actual effort into this sequel. Whatever you think of this kind of product (we know), at least it's not as much of a cash-in as ... it could be.
TV's The Biggest Loser coming to Wii and DS this fall
THQ is getting involved in the fitness craze on Nintendo consoles with The Biggest Loser, a game based on the hit TV show. Starring the show's Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels (Jillian competing against .... Jillian?), as well as the host of the show, Alison Sweeney, the game will do pretty much what the show does: dispense health tips and workout programs to help you diet and exercise your way to a slimmer, healthier you. Players will be able to "compete in 4, 8 or 12 week programs against former contestants from the television show," and the game even allows players to "receive credit for any progress made while not playing the video game, such as going for a walk or a bike ride." The choice of the honor system here leaves the door open for all manner of dubious exercising. Can you "beat" the game without shedding a pound? Now there's a challenge.The two different versions will interact with each other, allowing DS players to take their trainers from the Wii game with them to the grocery store to count calories and choose sensible meals. The Wii version of the game also supports the Balance Board, which is pretty much a requirement of any fitness game on the Wii, and will allow players to perform weigh-ins at regular intervals, and choose from a variety of different exercise options.You can see if you're The Biggest Loser when the game releases this fall.
Majesco whipping up two more Jillian Michaels fitness games
Apparently, Mrs. Michaels' last Ultimatum wasn't ultimate enough -- a recent Majesco press release dropped an announcement that the Biggest Loser star would be featured in two new games this year: Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2010 and Jillian Michaels' Pocket Trainer 2010. Man, we don't want to be rude or anything, but this couldn't have come at a better time. Our pockets have seriously let themselves go.Both games are set to drop this fall, and will likely each be purchased 500,000 times.
Majesco revenues shoot up 75% (Thanks, Cooking Mama & Jillian Michaels!)
Just like fellow small-time publisher SouthPeak, Majesco is raking in some serious moolah. The company is reporting that net revenues for its first fiscal quarter (ending January 31, 2009) are at $32.8 million, a 75.8% increase over the same period last year. Also, net income increased 54% to $4.2 million. The massive cash influx is all due to strong sales numbers in Majesco's casual games line. Cooking Mama, and Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 are counted as the breadwinning titles, as the latter has sold over 500,000 copies. Yes, half a million ... you can pick your jaw off the floor now. Who said third-parties can't be successful on Nintendo platforms?
Jillian Michaels' Fitness Trailer 2008
Uh, guys? Did your Balance Board come with a set of damn monkey bars? We're starting to feel a little ripped off. Just asking.The first trailer for Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009 is out, and while it's full of promised butt-kicking, there's also a fair amount of game footage, as well as some discussion of the title's features. Verdict: the graphics look a little less than good, but does something like this need to look great? It's already one-up on Wii Fit: part of the title's philosophy is simultaneous multiplayer. Does that mean two Balance Boards? From the footage in the trailer, it's impossible to tell whether those games are Wiimote and Nunchuk only, or if they require boards.
Loser leader stepping up to the Balance Board
The losers who didn't make the cut for The Biggest Loser needn't bat an eyelid. Everyone's favorite motivational trainer from the hit TV show is boxercizing her way to the Wii in Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009. The only downside is actually paying her to bark orders a you, rather than competing to win a hefty sum of cash.So what's the ultimatum? Get fit or be forced to eat a dozen Mega Macs? That's a punishment worse than playing Chicken Shoot. If you need a good reason to play, Fitness Ultimatum will utilize the Balance Board for its exercises, which hopefully means your multi-use Wii Fit peripheral might get some future exergaming use.You'll be seeing Jillian on the Wii in Q4 2008, so feel free to sneak some yum-yums in (we will) before her brutal training regime crushes your spirit.[Via GoNintendo]
Majesco and Jillian Michaels to issue 'Fitness Ultimatum' for Wii
All right, this is the last straw. We in the greater video game industry have watched silently while you claimed you just "didn't have the rhythm" for Dance Dance Revolution. We bit our tongues when you said that Wii Fit was "just a fad." Well, say goodbye to Mr. Nice Industry. We're tired of tip-toeing around your feelings. You have to get fit, and we're issuing a fitness ultimatum to make sure that you do! Jillian Michaels' Fitness Ultimatum 2009, to be exact.We're sorry it's come to this ... we really are ... but if a Majesco-published game featuring fitness celebrity Jillian Michaels and Wii Balance Board support is what it takes to break you out of your cycle of unfit living, then damn it, we're willing to release that game in time for the upcoming holiday season. Let's be perfectly clear though ... this 'ultimatum' truly is our last warning that you need to get fit using a video game. If you let this opportunity pass you by, that's it, we're done, you're on your own. Good luck getting fit without the video game industry's help if you drop the ball this time!Aw, who are we kidding? When you get tired of this game we'll try again with another gimmicky fitness simulator. Who could say no to that precious disposable income? Here, have another Halo 3 Mountain Dew.
