A haunted house, shadow creatures, and a mission to rescue your grandmother might sound like a typical spooky adventure game. However, MindLight, developed by PlayNice, transcends the usual gaming experience by integrating biofeedback to help kids manage stress and anxiety. Biofeedback is a mind-body therapy that can enhance both physical and mental health. In MindLight, your emotional state directly influences the gameplay: staying calm brightens the dark mansion, whereas feeling anxious keeps it shadowy and eerie.
MindLight: More Than Just a Game
MindLight was co-developed by Dr. Isabela Granic, co-founder of PlayNice and the lead scientist behind several randomized control trials involving over a thousand children. These trials revealed that kids who played MindLight experienced at least a 50% reduction in anxiety. The game's concept is straightforward yet powerful: you play as a child navigating your grandmother's mansion, which is engulfed by shadows. By using a headset, the game monitors your brainwaves or heart rate in real-time, using light to guide you through the mansion and ward off terrifying creatures.
Although primarily tested with children aged 8 to 12, PlayNice reports that older kids and even parents have found the game engaging. Since MindLight adapts to each player's stress response in real-time, it remains a personalized and dynamic experience for everyone.
Getting Started with MindLight
To begin playing MindLight, you'll need two essential items: the Neurosky MindWave 2 EEG headset and a subscription to the game. PlayNice offers two subscription options—one designed for a single child, and another for families accommodating up to five players. You can download MindLight from the Google Play Store, Amazon store, Apple App Store, or directly from PlayNice’s website.
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