The company claims it has set out to "gamify fitness", developing "pedometer powered mobile social games" designed to offer players real world rewards as an incentive.
Jog on
"We're trying to help games reach their potential as a force for good, and do something new and meaningful," APPTiV Games' Stephen Dick told us via email.
"Imagine going for a jog to get coins to spend in Farmville instead of having to buy them, using your footsteps to level up your knight so he can take on the next big boss, racing your friends around the world to find loot, or growing a fantasy garden on the energy of your daily walk."
Dick claims the first game utilising its system called Apptivater - will launch on iOS in around six weeks. In the meantime, the company is keen to get the word out about the model behind it.
"Really, Apptivater is just a visual demonstration of the backend of our games, but it's fun enough to be an app in its own right," added Dick.
"Players will be able to complete challenges and try to beat their friend's high scores. They will be able to form teams where their activity points are pooled and challenge other teams to see who is the most active. There will be achievements and badges galore as well."
Perfect combination
APPTiV Games intends to build an entire series of games on Apptivater's back end securing funding post release also a target - but this isn't just a new way to encourage players to utilise virtual currency.
Improving the general health of gamers across the globe is also firmly on the agenda.
"63 percent of adults in the US is overweight, and on average these people exercise less than once a week," concluded Dick.
"They want to do more, the desire is there, but they lack motivation. However, these same individuals will spend hours on Angry Birds or FarmVille without thinking twice. So they try to exercise, fail due to lack of motivation, and go back to games. It's a negative loop.
"By combining the fun and addictive aspects of social games with the meaningful rewards of exercise, APPTiV Games will motivate people to change their lives and inspire them to become fit."
