MindLight, developed by PlayNice, isn't your typical spooky adventure game. While it features haunted houses and shadow creatures, its core mission is to help children manage stress and anxiety through an innovative approach called biofeedback. But what is biofeedback? It's a mind-body therapy that can enhance both your physical and mental well-being by integrating your emotions into the gameplay. In MindLight, staying calm causes the dark mansion to light up, whereas feeling anxious keeps it shadowy and eerie.
MindLight: More Than Just a Game
MindLight was co-developed by Dr. Isabela Granic, a 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 a significant reduction in anxiety, by at least half. The game's premise is straightforward: you play as a child exploring your grandmother's mansion, engulfed in shadows. By using a headset, the game monitors your brainwaves or heart rate in real-time, allowing the light to guide you through the mansion and fend off terrifying creatures.
Although primarily tested with children aged 8 to 12, PlayNice notes that older kids and even parents have found the game engaging. The game's real-time adaptation to each player's stress response ensures 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 with up to five players. You can find MindLight on the Google Play Store, Amazon store, App Store, and PlayNice's official website.
