Exergames and Nature.

Exergaming provides the opportunity to have fun while exercising, with accompanying technology guiding and enhancing the experience. Exergames often contain some elements of nature and outdoor activities, though it is not well understood how engaging and effective these elements are to users. This paper presents an exploratory self-study of experiences with three exergames that include or encourage outdoor activity: Walkr, Zombies Run!, and Pokémon GO. The paper outlines the experiences of the participants, summarizing common and different elements of their interactions with the exergames. It provides in-depth examination of select elements of the game play as they relate to engagement with nature. Finally, it provides insights on ways that exergames’ elements have promise to engage users with nature.