31 Oct 2024

The video game teaching prisoners to manage anger

From Nine To Noon, 9:35 am on 31 October 2024
Manana Interactive car video game for emotional regulation. Screenshot from Manana.co.nz

Photo: Supplied by Manana Interactive

A New Zealand company will soon begin a pilot for a video game that helps prisoners regulate their emotions.

It's a car racing game that works by using wearable technology to measure reactions and give bio feedback to the game.

Cool and calm the car drives fast, but get angry or frustrated, the car slows down and you lose the race.

Laetitia Laubscher is the director at creative company Manana Interactive, previously trained as a lawyer and has experience of the criminal justice system.

She saw a gap in access to rehabilitation, and the potential to offer something different.

She talks about the concept with Kathryn Ryan.