Players of Nintendo's latest Brain Age game, Five Minute Demon Training, can submit their data over the internet via Spotpass for use in scientific research, Nintendo revealed Monday on the game's official website.
The data will be collected by the Tohoku University Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, home of the real-world inspiration for the Brain Age series, Dr. Ryuta Kawashima.
While the popular Brain Age series aimed to keep players' minds sharp through rigorous puzzle solving, Demon Training instead seeks to actually enhance players' "working memory" through intensive regular mental exercises.
The actual mental health benefits of the Brain Age games are unclear at best. "We're in the entertainment business," Nintendo has said in the past regarding questions surrounding the game's practical applications.
Nintendo said the ability to share information with researchers is unlocked after "continuous training" in the game. The company stressed that the submission process is not mandatory, and that players must opt in to share their game data. No personal information will be included in the transmission.
In less scientific news, Demon Training can also elect to share players' performances with random strangers via Streetpass. Players can then register these strangers as "Demon Training Friends." The game will include leaderboards that compare players with their family members, a la Wii Fit, as well as their new "friends."
Demon Training launches in Japan on July 28. No information concerning an international release has been revealed yet.
