BfB Labs challenges players to become masters of mindfulness with Champions of the Shengha. Marketed as the world’s first “Emotionally Responsive Game” players utilize a wearable sensor that monitors their emotions.
Developers BfB Labs is seeking a flexible funding goal of $75,000 over on Indiegogo to bring the project to life. They hope their game will help people learn to better regulate their emotions, thereby reducing everyday stress and anxiety.
At its core, Champions of the Shengha is a mobile fantasy card battling game. Players collect digital cards and build a deck of powerful spells, creatures, and weapons. After aligning with a tribe of magic (Fear, Fury, or Joy), they are able to challenge players from around the world.
Think Happy Thoughts And Destroy Your Opponents
Gameplay hinges on the player’s ability to focus their emotions correctly, as measured by the included BfB sensor. The sensor clips onto the ear and is able to track changes to the player’s heart rate. This allows the game to determine their “emotional state” while they play. The better a player can stay calm and focused in real life, the more powerful they will be in the game.
Champions of the Shengha was designed with the goal of teaching players to regulate their emotions with recommended techniques for mindfulness meditation. This sort of training could be hugely beneficial to children. Learning techniques for focus and resilience will aid them in other aspects of their lives. Meanwhile, the kids just think they are playing a fun card game.
It’s a really interesting concept, so imagine my surprise when I saw that this had flown under my radar until mere days before the end of the campaign. BfB plans to make Champions of Shengha free to schools and youth groups within their network of partners. Hopefully Indiegogo’s flexible funding model will allow them to complete their work.
