This is actually one of the more interesting concepts for a game that I’ve heard of in a long time. Nevermind, currently being developed by a small indie team in L.A., is a horror-puzzle game that uses biometrics to determine just how difficult of a game you’ll be playing. In order to do this, you’ll need to be using a Garmin Heart Monitor and a USB Dongle (unfortunately, neither of which is able to currently ship with the game.) Together, it is a tad pricey, however the game is completely playable without them.

Nevermind takes places in the Neurostalgia Institute and the minds of trauma victims, which the player will explore in a way akin to the movie The Cell, which Team Lead Erin Reynolds has cited as a source of inspiration. The gameplay itself is meant to stress the player by both creating a disturbing world and situations that will require quick responses. Should their heart rate become too high for too long a time, they will be pulled from the patient’s mind and put back in to the hub world of the institute so they may collect themselves. Moments of reprieve will be offered throughout the levels, but as the player progresses through the game, they will become few and far between, forcing them to learn ways to manage their own stress level and cope with their own fears on the fly.

Currently, the team has crafted one fully realized level. Contributing to their current campaign (they really aren’t asking for much at $3,000 over the next two and half months) nets you access to this and helps fund their overall vision of ten unique environments.

If you don’t contribute, at least check it out. The link to their Indiegogo page is here, and the game’s official website can be found here. Spread the word and take a glimpse, give them some feedback and ask some questions! It’s just too unique a concept for me to allow to languish.