GainPlay Studio

Factsheet

Developer:
GainPlay Studio
Based in Utrecht, the Netherlands

Founding date:
September 5th, 2008

Website:
gainplaystudio.com

Press / Business Contact:
jan@gainplaystudio.com

Social:
twitter.com/GainPlay_Studio
facebook.com/GainPlay_Studio
Skype

Releases:
Animotion
Daydream
Mindlight
Mindout

Address:
Neude 5
3512 AD Utrecht
the Netherlands

Phone:
0 (031) 615 166 269

Description

GainPlay Studio creates serious games that make you think and feel. Based in Utrecht the Netherlands, this small independent studio creates pioneering game experiences that cause fun and impactful play. GainPlay Studio is one the first gamecompanies to incorporate biofeedback in games from a user centered point of view.

History

Early history

GainPlay Studio was formerly known as Dreams of Danu. The gamecompany Dreams of Danu originated in the Netherlands at the Utrecht School of the Arts (HKU) in 2008, when four creative thinkers with different backgrounds and skillsets from the faculty of Art, Media and Technology combined forces. The four founders and friends Jan Jonk, Remi Newton, Wouter Ram and Floris Versendaal, made several prototypes and small casual games in the early days.

Brain Computing

Their first contact with Brain-Computer Interfaces was during their graduation projects in 2010. They understood what huge potential this technology had, and found it was very rewarding to develop games that made the player think and feel. With their first commercially available (mind-controlled) game Mindout, Dreams of Danu wanted to show the potential of the technology in a game that focussed primarily on having fun. But the benefits of playing Mindout as a serious game became clear through countless play events and demonstrations. From a studio focussed heavily on innovative games for entertainment, their mission shifted to making Serious Games. With an expertise in succesfully applying innovative interfaces in a game environment, and always with the main goal of having a fun and motivating game experience.

GainPlay Studio

In 2012 Dreams of Danu changed their team composition, with founders Jan Jonk and Remi Newton taking the company further. Wouter created the start-up Buitendoor, aimed at outdoor activities such as climbing and building tree houses, and Floris chose to pursue other creative ventures. Jan and Remi decided a new name that better matched their expertise was in order, so GainPlay Studio was born. As GainPlay Studio the company worked on Daydream, a meditative gameplay experience that was nominated for the Future of Health Award. And on the horror game MindLight, a serious game for children with anxiety dissorders made for the PlayNice Institute. GainPlay Studio continues to design and develop games with a strong focus on beneficial and motivating play, often through the use of biofeedback interfaces.

Projects

• Animotion
• Daydream
• Mindlight
• Mindout