Hooking Up A Treadmill to PC Game

After running thousands of virtual miles in a plethora of MMORPGs, we wondered how hard it would be to keep up that pace in the real world. After concluding that the in-game characters are running at about 12mph, we decided that keeping up 6mph on a treadmill to achieve the same thing would be a fair start. Add some wood, a bike wheel, optical mouse and bicycle wheel into the equation, and you'll be burning mad calories every time you log into your favorite server.

Step 1: List of Materials

2x 44" length wood 2"x4"
1x 25" length wood 2"x4"
2x 15" length wood 2"x4"
1x box 6 x 1 1/4 all purpose screws
1x 23" bicycle wheel and tire assembly with axel
1x 20" x 20" corrugate cardboard
2x screw-in eyelets
1x 8 1/2" round mousepad (Staples)
1x USB gaming joystick
1x push treadmill (Amazon.com)
1x Logitech MX Revolution mouse
1x PC
1x InMotion 2 push-style treadmill (no motors- user pushes the belt with their feet)
2x 5" x 5" x 1 1/4" L-brackets
2x 6" x 6" 1 1/2" flat L-brackets
2x 6" x 5 1/2" x 1 1/2" flat T-brackets
2x adjustable bungee cords
1x roll of masking tape
1x roll of duct tape
1x can of permanent spray adhesive
1x scissors
1x Exacto Knife
1x electric screwdriver

Comments

[mmorpgs]

Hold on... I wish there was a summary at the beginning or maybe I missed it. You are physically running in the game when you run on the treadmill - that's the concept? I like it as it is unique, but I'm not sure how that might affect gameplay and such if you're moving up and down running, while needed to press buttons on the keyboard. Or maybe I'm missing something =D Cool idea again!

[kiete5]

You wouldn't have to paint lines on the treadmill if you used a ball mouse...

[wmanidi]

Would this work with Team Fortress 2 or other steam games?

[wmanidi]

Any one?

[im3733]

In a word, yes.

However you'll need to modify the script as described in step 15 so that the keys are properly mapped.

Also, since TF2 uses the mouse for look control, consider adding a joystick-to-mouse adapter program, google shows tons of them. You might be able to just script it into Glove pie, also.

[J@50n]

 when you fly, you need to make a rig that turns a fan on so as your flying ur getting blasted with air!!

[Nucleus]

MAN THIS IS JUST EPIC I CAN'S STOP LAUGHING LOOOL

[pokeymoose]

Can you move your camera view ( look around you) with this setup? I usually use my touch pad and hit the button and 'scroll' around to see 360. Is it possible to do that with no mouse controller? ( since the mouse is used for the w button control)

[tudgeanator]

This is awesum,but can you use another mouse normally (as in to aim etc)

[william17050]

Can you use a second mouse for aiming and shooting intead of a joystick?

[bryazana]

When I run the script my character just keeps running and can't be stopped. Also, how do you keep the mouse from looking up and down?

[ManaEnergyPotion]

Hmmm. That's unusual. Did you make any alterations to the script? Also, the "swallow" command may fix the mouse looking up and down.

[Mr.Ownage]

Awwwwwww remember the time I was playing WoW wasting my money and my time that incredibly addictive

[unbentcrayfish]

wow, how wouold really use this every time they played a game? Not me... cool man

[foobear]

hooray! awesome!

[DYLEGO]

dude, its a copy of another instructable! what a fake! get your own ideas!

[Crypto]

You mean its an edited version of the one they had up earlier. Gosh people, check up on your facts before going off.

[Derin]

You are so right.

[awkrin]

why didn't u just put the mouse directly under the treadmill?

[cprocjr]

Very good idea, If I build one I will try that first. You might have to paint lines on the treadmill so the mouse can tell that it's moving.

[cprocjr]

If only I had a treadmill I would totally try this. 5 stars