The Families Who Loved Us First
How designing for them made Nex Playground better for everyone
When we pivoted from basketball training app HomeCourt to motion game Active Arcade, we entered a transition. We took the original HomeCourt app, stripped away everything except the interactive training games that had gone viral, and created something new. Active Arcade was raw, simple, and focused.
Before Active Arcade caught fire again, there was a quieter stretch—a period of slower growth. During that time, we started interviewing early users to understand who was finding value in this new form of play. A clear theme quickly emerged.
Many of our earliest adopters were families with kids who experience the world a little differently, whether through ADHD, autism, or simply unique ways of thinking and moving. These families were actively searching for games that got their kids moving, because movement could do wonders for them.
Nex is about Active Play—and we believe everyone benefits from it. But in every new category, there are people who need it first.
For Apple, it was the creative pros. For Nex, it’s families whose kids benefit most from movement.
Learning From the Families Who Found Us First
Following their lead, we dug deeper. No two kids are alike, but patterns started to emerge. We found needs that weren’t fully met by traditional games, classrooms, or sports.
Here’s what we’ve learned:
Movement helps focus. Studies show that moderate to vigorous physical activity can improve attention span and executive function. Active play channels excess energy in ways that support emotional regulation and task persistence.
Instant feedback matters. Some kids need real-time responses to stay engaged. Motion games offer direct cause-and-effect, unlike traditional instruction which can feel slow or abstract.
Short bursts work better. Brains that crave novelty or struggle with long tasks thrive on short, varied challenges that stay fresh and manageable.
Play builds bridges. Breaking the ice isn’t always easy, but co-play—through movement, mimicry, or parallel play—creates easier entry points for connection with parents, siblings, and friends.
Controllers are barriers. For kids with fine motor challenges, traditional game controllers get in the way. Nex removes that friction: the body is the controller.
Structure + rhythm = self-regulation. Games built around patterns, cues, and beats help kids practice starting, stopping, and staying in sync—valuable skills for everyday life.
Movement is learning. For many kids, embodied, hands-on interaction works far better than verbal or text-based instruction.
Safe novelty matters. Many kids thrive on routine but benefit from small, predictable variations that feel new without being overwhelming.
Home is a haven. In a no-judgment space, kids can stim, dance, or move freely, without needing to mask who they are.
Play without pressure. Not every child thrives in turn-taking or team sports. But many flourish in environments where they can play alongside others, without demands, pressure, or comparison.
When you look at Nex Playground’s games closely, you’ll notice these principles at work. Our early customers have shaped our design more than they may ever know.
“Good for You” Games
Games often get a bad rap. And to be fair, sometimes they’ve earned it. Many are designed to be addictive, to monetize “whales,” or to pull players into escapist loops.
But games can also be deeply good—just like basketball is a game.
At Nex, we hold ourselves to a higher standard. We build games that are fun, social, and physical. Games that contribute positively to your body and mind. Games that are wholesome entertainment. That’s the bar.
Who Loves Nex Playground Today?
As our community grows, so does our understanding of the families who find meaning in what we’ve built. Most share one or more of these qualities, needs, or contexts:
Families with younger kids who aren’t quite ready for traditional gaming systems
Households with multiple siblings looking for something they can enjoy together
Parents who are mindful about content and value curated, family-friendly experiences
Homeschooling families using Nex for daily movement and PE
Multi-generational households seeking simple, inclusive ways to play together
Families with neurodivergent kids using active play to support focus and regulation
Those living in extreme climates, where outdoor play isn’t always practical
Families who are sports- and fitness-minded, prioritizing movement over passive screen time
The Big Idea
The families who loved us first saw something in Nex—something they weren’t getting anywhere else. In response, we are committed to understanding them better and serving them better.
That’s our foundation.
That’s the big idea.
That’s why we do what we do.
Very proud to be a fan! We love Nex!