Simmer Down Sprinter: compete to relax
posted July 27th 2006 5:20PM
We're always looking for an alternative to foosball here at Engadget HQ, and Simmer Down Sprinter just might be the most intriguing game we've seen in quite awhile. Quizzical minds are probably already worked up wondering what could possibly top foosball, but if you want to win this game, you should probably calm down. In another rendition of games where the calmest mind wins, Steve Lambert has designed a two-player arcade-style version where participants sit down and do their very best to relax. Ironically, the game's objective is to make your sprinter outrun your opponent's, but getting frantic won't help those legs move any quicker. The game senses the level of stress in your body -- better known as bio-feedback -- and converts your calmness into speed, while heightened stress will slow you down. So if you need a more entertaining way to get your blood pressure down from the stratosphere, just try to chill out during a high-paced, winner takes all game of competitive relaxation.
[Via BoingBoing]
So, the one higher on Heroin wins the game?
Haha I bet this is tough. It's totally non-instinctive, you know? Like.... run slower and you'll win the race.
Sounds awesome. I can calm my mind at will, so I would probably be good at that. I wonder how accurate those sensors are...
Wow! Talk about the ultimate gamer training! Can't count the number of times I started stressing over a game and failed my objective because I was nervous and freaking out...Haha.
"So, the one higher on Heroin wins the game?"
Not necessarily. The game establishes and constantly re-evaluates a baseline for how relaxed a person is.
BOOM HEADSHOT
Now this is a cool idea. I can see derivatives of this popping up in doctor's offices, massage parlors (the legit kind), homeopathy stores, New Age outlets, spas, and so forth. Wonder how much the whole setup goes for?
If this is anything like those sciontology stress tests, I'll win as soon as the race starts. Cause aparently I can go from relaxed to stressed at a moments notice. :-(
Simmer Down Sprinter will be on display from August 8-12 at Anno Domini in downtown San Jose for the ZeroOne San Jose festival. Drop by test your skills! ...and don't forget your quarters.