MindLight isn't your average spooky adventure game, where you simply navigate a haunted house filled with shadow creatures to rescue your grandmother. Developed by PlayNice, this action-adventure game takes a unique approach by incorporating biofeedback to help kids manage stress and anxiety. But what is biofeedback? It's a mind-body therapy that aims to improve both physical and mental health by making your emotions an integral part of the gameplay experience. When you're calm, the dark mansion brightens up, but if you're anxious, it remains shadowy and eerie.

MindLight: More Than Just a Game

MindLight was co-developed by Dr. Isabela Granic, the 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 exploring your grandmother's mansion, which is engulfed in shadows. By using a headset, the game tracks your brainwaves or heart rate in real-time, allowing the light to guide you through the mansion and ward off terrifying creatures.

While MindLight was primarily tested with kids aged 8 to 12, PlayNice notes that it's also enjoyed by older children and parents. The game dynamically adapts to each player's stress response, making it a personalized and engaging experience for everyone.

Getting Started with MindLight

To dive into MindLight, you'll need two essentials: the Neurosky MindWave 2 EEG headset and a subscription to the game. PlayNice offers two subscription packages—one tailored for a single child, and another for families with up to five players. You can easily find MindLight on the Google Play Store, Amazon store, App Store, or directly from PlayNice's website.