Mindball: Futuristic game from Sweden uses brainwaves to move the ball

The most relaxed player wins. Go team. Rah. Rah. Rah.




Mindball is an experience product, a game where two players control a ball with their brain waves. The player being most relaxed wins the game. The brain waves are detected by sensors attached to the headbands. The sensors (electrodes) are connected to a biosensor system. The biosensor system, registers the electrical activity in the brain – so called EEG. The brain waves increasing the chance to win Mindball are called Alpha- and Theta waves. They occur when we are calm and relaxed. The player´s brain activity is shown in a diagram on the monitor. The player being most relaxed makes the ball roll over to the opponent´s goal, with his brain waves as only aid, and thereby wins the game. The outcome of the game is seldom straightforward as the transition from calm to excitement and vice versa goes very quickly. Mindball is an exciting and audience friendly game where the audience can follow the game both by watching the ball on the table and the diagram on the monitor as well as watching the more or less relaxed faces of the players. The product Mindball originates from the prototype Brainball which is developed by the Smart Studio at The Interactive Institute.


http://www.mindball.se/index.aspx?page=mindball

I'd love to try it just as it is, as I like more thoughtful, contemplative activities.

But I think most game players would prefer this game if the objects were the opposite. Those with the FEWEST alpha/theta waves, with the most agitated brains, would move the ball most.

That way crowds could cheer their favorite on, and the fear of loosing would spur on the opponent.

To me it sounds like hell, but I'd bet that version would bring in more money for the game operators.

It requires more self-control, obviously, to NOT get excited when you're about to score a goal, or when the ball is bearing down on you. Our first instinct is to get agitated and excited in competition.

A table sells for $16,000. It would be fun to have one if you owned a bar or coffee house.

I couldn't find any info on the site. What force actually makes the ball roll?

http://www.iconoculture.com/stellent/groups/public/documents/website/smpl_mindball7525.asp


TREND

WINNING BY WAVES
Mindball players compete by controlling a ball with their brain waves



KEY INSIGHTS
• Mindball players compete by controlling a ball with their brain waves. The most relaxed player wins.
• Mindball turns the typical dynamic of competition on its head and gives a clue to a model of winning that isn’t all aggression and adrenaline.

No hands. No adrenaline. No aggression. It’s calm control that wins in Mindball, developed by Sweden’s Interactive Institute. Two players sit at a special table wearing headband sensors that detect their brains’ electrical activity. The more relaxed a player is, the faster the metal ball on the table rolls toward the opponent’s goal. Think about that paradox: In the heat of competition, staying cool from the brainwaves on out, takes the prize. That means controlling aggression, adrenalin, and going beyond mere bluffing to be truly chilled inside.

The $19K game seems a sure bet to draw crowds at trade shows. But given how business fuels itself on sports metaphors, we think MBA programs and corporate training programs may want to put some future execs at the table. Mindball turns the typical dynamic of competition on its head and gives a clue to a model of winning that isn’t all aggression and adrenaline.

RESOURCES
Interactive Institute: 08-7832450 (Sweden)
Interactive Productline sells Mindball tables for about $19K. 46-8-750-78-50 (Sweden).

GENERATIONS
General Market: Gen Xers

APPLICATIONS
Positioning: Rubik’s Cube, anyone? Be an innovation evolutionary with products and services that challenge consumers to think in new ways.
Retail: Whether it’s Mindball or another brain-twister, challenge consumers to a mental duel that takes place in your store windows for all to see.

could get relaxed and not get excited when you saw the ball moving toward the goal or be influenced bu the crowd noise.