MindLight, developed by PlayNice, might seem like a typical spooky adventure game with its haunted house, shadow creatures, and a mission to rescue your grandmother. But it's much more than that. This action-adventure game utilizes biofeedback, a mind-body therapy technique, to help children manage stress and anxiety. In MindLight, your emotions directly influence the gameplay; staying calm illuminates the dark mansion, while 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. These trials, involving over a thousand children, demonstrated that playing MindLight could reduce anxiety by at least half. The game's storyline is straightforward: you play as a child navigating your grandmother's mansion, which is engulfed in shadows. By using a headset, the game monitors your brainwaves or heart rate in real-time, using light to guide you and fend off terrifying creatures.
While primarily tested with kids aged 8 to 12, PlayNice notes that even older children and parents find the game engaging. Its real-time adaptation to each player's stress response keeps the experience personal and dynamic.
Getting Started with MindLight
To begin playing MindLight, you'll need two things: the Neurosky MindWave 2 EEG headset and a subscription to the game. There are two subscription options available - one for a single child and another for families accommodating up to five players. You can find MindLight on the Google Play Store, Amazon store, App Store, and directly on PlayNice's website.
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