Deepak Chopra wants to accelerate biological evolution through video games.a
By Winda Benedetti
Many different kinds of stars have had video games made about them. Sports stars like Tiger Woods, exercise gurus like Jillian Michaels, and even the Black Eyed Peas have all had their own video games based on who they are and what they do.a
And now Deepak Chopra — controversial spiritualist, alternative-medicine guru and self-help author — is getting in on the video game action too.a
And no, he isn't making a first-person shooter.a
Chopra has joined forces (both metaphysical and real) with THQ to create the game "Leela" — which means "play" in Sanskrit and is due to launch Nov. 8 on the Xbox 360 and Wii. The game will use the Xbox 360 Kinect motion sensor or, in its Wii version, will have players hold a Wii Remote controller as it guides players through meditation exercises.a
According to the Associated Press, which got an advance look at "Leela," it is "less of a game and more of an experience."a
Seven different interactive exercises based on the seven "chakras," the points along the body that Chopra says serve as energy centers, task players with moving their bodies to control graphics onscreen set to a soothing soundtrack. The mini-games increase in difficulty, but "Leela" places no importance on a final score or even finishing the exercises.a
Peter Armstrong, director of product development at THQ, said the company created more than 500 different prototypes in an attempt to properly encompass Chopra's teachings into video game format.a
THQ/Associated Pressa
"Leela" is more of an experience than a game. An experience that has your seven chakras in its sights.a
So why would Chopra — author of books such as "Synchrodestiny: Harnessing the Infinite Power of Coincidence to Create Miracles," " The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams" and "The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore" — want to make a video game?a
"I personally believe that you can accelerate neural development and biological evolution through video games," Chopra told the Associated Press. "Unfortunately, that's not what we're doing right now. What we're doing is creating addictions to violence, adrenaline and mindlessness, rather than mindfulness. That was my personal motivation to get involved in this medium."a
Soooo, he's making his own video game because all of today's video games are violence-soaked, mindless wastes of time? Hmmm. I'm guessing he hasn't played "Flower," "flOw" "or "PixelJunk Eden," or any of the many many other games that eschew violence over ... oh never mind. Why do I even bother sometimes?a
If I want to meditate, I'll fire up "Bejeweled 3's" Zen mode. And if I want to accelerate my neural development, I'll dust off "Brain Age," "Professor Layton" or maybe some "Portal 2." If you don't mind, please leave my chakras out of it. Nuff said.a
The Associated Press contributed to this story.a
For more gaming news, check out:a
Val Kilmer gets evil in 'Spider-Man: Edge of Time' 'Uncharted' game movie gets new director, script, life Kinect helps sword-swinging robot attack human overlords
Winda Benedetti writes about games for msnbc.com. You can follow her tweets about games and other things right here on Twitter or join her in the stream right here on Google+.a
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