Sony Gamifies the Wake Up Process

This PS Vita app is sure to get you scrambling to wake up in the morning.

Gamifying a tedious process is a good way of motivating people to do it. Fitocracy, for example, is a fitness app that motivates people to hit the gym by doling out points and achievements for every set of exercise done.

Sony's decided to do something similar for those who find early morning wakeups to be painful. Dubbed Wake-up Club, this free PS Vita—ah yes, that's the catch—app brings not only alarm functionality to the PS Vita, but also turns it into a social game.

Wake-up Club matches 12 players together into a "wake-up club" who set their alarm at the same time. When a player's alarm goes off, the avatar of their choice will begin bouncing around on their screen. Tapping on the avatar indicates to the other members of the club that the individual is awake. Snoozing for too long means that more and more of the other club members' avatars will begin appearing on your screen, presumably to nag you until you're awake. If you're one of the early risers, you can wreak similar havoc on your fellow club members by "cheering" them to the waking world.

The motivating factor (in this writer's opinion) is the fact that the app keeps track of your wakeup attempts, meaning that it'll keep your personal "best" in waking up—the fastest time you got to tapping on the avatar on the Vita.

Wake-up Club will be hitting the PS Store come Tuesday, January 15.

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There are 13 Comments.

Top Comments

15

mazty , January 13, 2013 8:06 PM

Actually sounds pretty clever. Being able to "troll" people within seconds of waking up will certainly appeal to a few people.

Other Comments

15

mazty , January 13, 2013 8:06 PM

Actually sounds pretty clever. Being able to "troll" people within seconds of waking up will certainly appeal to a few people.
-2

trumpeter1994 , January 13, 2013 8:52 PM

Would it actually be loud enough to wake me up though?
2

halcyon , January 13, 2013 9:36 PM

Hahahaha. Do people actually have that hard of a time waking up?
1

visa , January 13, 2013 10:08 PM

maztyActually sounds pretty clever. Being able to "troll" people within seconds of waking up will certainly appeal to a few people.

Yes I agree. I don't think I'd snooze as much if I got to eff with a few people first thing in the morning.

Would it be too much to ask for an Android version?
-1

stoogie , January 13, 2013 10:20 PM

i take over an hour maybe 2, tho im in bed for like 8 hours max also takes me quite a while to get to sleep 1-2 hours, so im only sleeping for like 5 hours.... its what u get for being on a psychotic stimulant 180mg of Methylphenidate for 12 years straight.... makes u have terribad insomnia, nothing u can do to fix it either, exersize, gym, do boring things, NOPE.... and u never feel tired.
3

olaf , January 13, 2013 10:37 PM

visaYes I agree. I don't think I'd snooze as much if I got to eff with a few people first thing in the morning.Would it be too much to ask for an Android version?

+1 to that give me an android version
4

innocent bystander , January 13, 2013 11:32 PM

halcyonHahahaha. Do people actually have that hard of a time waking up?

Ask my wife that. Depending on the time of day you may get a verbal 2x4 in your face, or a real one.

IB
4

bigdragon , January 14, 2013 1:03 AM

I normally turn off the alarm with my eyes closed. I'm not sure how this would work. My head is the last part of my body that wants to get out of bed.

halcyonHahahaha. Do people actually have that hard of a time waking up?
During the week, absolutely. You think I want to leave fantasy land to go deal with Linux compatibility issues, Windows update glitches, pointy-haired bosses, the coworker who doesn't bathe or use deodorant, and people who can't drive? While I'm asleep I'm an action movie hero, a huge beast such as a dragon, or I can do things I normally wouldn't do in real life. I can fly on a spaceship, hunt villagers from a mountaintop, or participate in movie-style high speed police chases. Real life (that thing after you wake up) just isn't as good!
1

guardianangel42 , January 14, 2013 1:12 AM

I just bought a cheap used netbook and use Windows' built in task scheduler to play an appropriate song at high volume with good speakers.

For me it's World's Collide by Apocalyptica. It's actually perfect, because it starts out quiet, but load enough to hear (since I have the volume cranked up) then crashes down on you with four cellos in an instant.

It's a race to get out of bed and close Windows Media Player on the other side of the room. Gets me out of bed every time, and fast too.
0

JOSHSKORN , January 14, 2013 11:09 AM

visaYes I agree. I don't think I'd snooze as much if I got to eff with a few people first thing in the morning.Would it be too much to ask for an Android version?

Buy a Fitbit and a Zeo. I did.

Fitbit = Pedometer, enter in foods you eat and sleep tracker. Sleep tracker acts like an on/off switch, assumes you're asleep or not asleep by your movement. Not the best method to track your sleep.

Zeo = Sleep tracker. Tracks Light/REM/Deep Sleep and # of times you wake up. YMMV, or so I've heard. I've had no problems but I hear you're suppose to replace the headband every few months. I will, eventually. I've had mine nearly a year.
0

virtualban , January 14, 2013 4:41 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXPLhE_z57M&feature=player_detailpage#t=21s
^^ Mr. Bean waking up, and his method of snooze the alarm clock.
0

tokencode , January 15, 2013 12:21 AM

stoogiei take over an hour maybe 2, tho im in bed for like 8 hours max also takes me quite a while to get to sleep 1-2 hours, so im only sleeping for like 5 hours.... its what u get for being on a psychotic stimulant 180mg of Methylphenidate for 12 years straight.... makes u have terribad insomnia, nothing u can do to fix it either, exersize, gym, do boring things, NOPE.... and u never feel tired.

That's because is because it's essentially a milder form of cocaine....
0

10tacle , January 15, 2013 7:51 AM

Someone needs to tell Sony that after a marathon gaming session that ends at 3AM, not many people are going jump out of bed too early all bright and cheery and happy.

Sony Gamifies the Wake Up Process

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