Stress-busting videogame controlled by thoughts

Now that Euro 2008 is over, footie fans can keep their minds active until next season with a stress-busting football videogame controlled only by brainwaves. Well, wealthy ones, at least...

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Mindball players won’t get paid £100,000 per week, but distributor Vivifeye claims the game will teach players ways to better manage their stress levels. That’s because the game, which controls a ball’s movement with brainwaves, is tuned into alpha and theta waves, commonly associated with alert concentration and low anxiety.

Opponents sit at either end of a specially designed table with a thin ‘pitch’ down the middle, along which rolls a small white ball. Each gamer also wears a brainwave monitoring headband.

Instead of urging gamers to think only about pushing the ball forwards into the rival’s goal though, Mindball’s ball will only move forward when the player is relaxed enough.

Both players control the same ball, so to regain the upper-hand the rival gamer has to discover how to become more relaxed.

Unfortunately, a punch-bag might be a more cost-effective option because Mindball will set you back at least £3500 (€4400/7000).