MindLight: New Android Neurofeedback Game with Horror Survival Theme

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, goes beyond traditional gaming by integrating biofeedback to help children manage stress and anxiety.

What is biofeedback? It's a mind-body therapy designed to enhance physical and mental well-being. In MindLight, your emotional state directly influences the gameplay. When you're calm, the dark mansion illuminates, making it easier to navigate. If you're feeling anxious, the mansion remains shadowy and eerie, reflecting your mood.

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 demonstrated that kids who played MindLight experienced a significant reduction in anxiety, at least by half.

The game's storyline is straightforward: you play as a child exploring your grandmother's mansion, which is engulfed in shadows. By using a headset, the game monitors your brainwaves or heart rate in real-time. The light you generate helps you navigate through the mansion and fend off terrifying creatures.

Although primarily tested with children aged 8 to 12, PlayNice reports that older children and parents have also found the game engaging. Since the game dynamically adjusts to each player's stress responses, it remains a personalized and evolving experience.

Getting Started with MindLight

To begin playing MindLight, you'll need two items: 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, Amazon store, App Store, or directly from PlayNice's website.

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