Data was collected on Nightstar multiple times for validation. Players of average skill can expect to see an exercise equivalent of a brisk walk. However, on the final data collection, rater was able to play to a very high difficulty, and achieved a top score in the game’s global rating. During this data collection session, rater achieved energy burn comparable to that of a mild Elliptical rating. At higher difficulties, Nightstar requires the player to constantly move from side to side throughout their play space, squatting and ducking to avoid contact with enemies.
In addition to actually having to move to succeed in the higher difficulties (not just lean from side to side), the rater also had to move their arms constantly. Nightstar is a game that if played with enough skill and at the higher difficulties can be reasonable exercise
