Mind Magic, initially called Mind Doll, started as a brainwave powered avatar generation tool utilizing the NeuroSky headset (see my portfolio entry titled “NeuroSky”). The concept was well received and eventually turned into a fully fledged project of its own.

Mind Magic was a video game and a training program designed to improve the player’s concentration ability and treat Attention Deficit Disorder. The game was set in a world of paper toys and consisted of a collection of different genre mini-games connected by an underlying storyline and background. By following a carefully crafted training, the player would over time increase their attention span and the ability to focus. Employing a learn-practice-test gameplay loop, the training program tracked the player’s progress and automatically adjusted the proposed activities in order to achieve the best possible results.

Mind Magic was as much a game as a toolbox, and represented a revolutionary, drug-free approach to treating ADD/ADHD. It was demoed at GDC in 2009 and formed the core of fundraising and commercialization efforts by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University which eventually led to an offer of approximately USD4 million investment from private and corporate investors. It also impressed several prominent public figures such as Margaret Atwood and Jane Goodall (see this interview with Margaret Atwood, starting at around the 2’15” timestamp, where she mentions the project). Unfortunately, due to internal politics and mismanagement the investment agreement fell through and the potential that could had been an amazing success story both for the University and Hong Kong was never realized.

I was one of the two authors of the original Mind Doll concept and wrote a major part of the Mind Magic proposal and design. I was also responsible for researching the related topics of ADD/ADHD and biofeedback.

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