What's the deal with videogame companies suddenly wanting us to be in shape? First there was Nintendo's Wii Fit and the Balance Board announced at E3, then Konami announced a whole suite of games that encourage pilates and yoga and whatnot. Finally, last night, Namco Bandai announced their own fat mat as well as more fitness oriented games! When will it end?

Namco's working title for their game is Active Life: Athletic World. It's a Wii title and will feature another board style peripheral that "lets players manipulate the on-screen action with a combination of hand gestures and movements with their feet across the mat’s eight sensor pads."

Each of the ten mini-games that make up Active Life: Athletic World  features a unique control scheme using the wii-mote and board. The game also "provides detailed information on personal best scores and times as well as updates on the progress of their friends and family."

We're not sure videogames will ever be better than riding your bike once in a while to stay in shape, but we have to admit we had an inordinate, inexplicably fun time playing Wii Fit's Yoga mini-game, so we're actually looking forward to these games coming out. Gulp...we want to excercise. Bring on the fitness!

Active Life: Athletic World for the Wii will be available in 2008