A haunted house, shadow creatures, and a mission to rescue your grandmother might sound like your typical spooky adventure game, but MindLight is far more than that. Developed by PlayNice, this action-adventure game is designed to help children manage stress and anxiety through the innovative use of biofeedback.
So, what exactly is biofeedback? It's a mind-body therapy technique that can enhance your physical and mental well-being. In MindLight, your emotions directly influence the gameplay. When you're calm, the dark mansion brightens up, making it easier to navigate. However, if you're feeling anxious, the mansion remains shadowy and menacing, adding to the challenge.
MindLight: More Than Just a Game
MindLight was co-developed by Dr. Isabela Granic, the co-founder of PlayNice and the lead scientist behind numerous randomized control trials. These trials, involving over a thousand children, demonstrated that those who played MindLight experienced at least a 50% reduction in anxiety levels.
The game's storyline is straightforward. You play as a child exploring your grandmother's mansion, which is engulfed in shadows. By wearing a special headset, the game monitors your brainwaves or heart rate in real-time. The light you generate helps you navigate through the mansion and ward off terrifying creatures.
Although primarily tested with children aged 8 to 12, PlayNice notes that even older kids and parents have found the game engaging. Because 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 dive into MindLight, you'll need two things: the Neurosky MindWave 2 EEG headset and a subscription to the game. PlayNice offers two subscription options—one for a single child and another for families, accommodating up to five players.
You can download MindLight from the Google Play Store, as well as from the Amazon store, App Store, and directly from PlayNice's website.
