Using MaddCog is easy. Turn on the Game Band and put it on. Open the MaddCog app on Windows or mobile, and start playing. 

On Windows, the app will automatically connect to the Game Band via Bluetooth and start recording your Flow and Fatigue. Start playing one of the many games MaddCog integrates with and you will automatically get a live overlay during the game, and a game summary at the end of your match. It’s that easy.

If you are using the mobile app, or recording a game which isn’t integrated with MaddCog, then there is just one extra step. Simply select the game you are playing to start recording the data, and tap a button at the end of each match to see your game summary.

Read our in depth article on how MaddCog works.

The Game Band works with MaddCog’s Windows, iOS and Android apps. We recommend using the Windows app for PC gaming, and the mobile apps for console gaming. Your games are synced across all apps allowing you to play on PC but then review your data in detail on mobile when away from the computer.

MaddCog offers the apps for free. Additionally, all IndieGoGo backers receive a 12-month subscription to the Pro features, after which it is USD$7.99 monthly (or USD$59 annually).

The science

The MaddCog Game Band uses EEG to measure brain wave activity, and PPG (optical sensor) to measure your heart rate variability (HRV). These sensors combine to measure your flow and mental fatigue.

Flow is when you are in “the zone”; that state of full emersion where you have relaxed concentration dedicated to your game. Alpha brain wave activity is predominantly associated with flow state, and research has shown improved performance in a variety of tasks tasks to be associated with flow. MaddCog’s research on League of Legends players shows that players win 13% more games when their flow is at a high level. This article provides more details.

MaddCog also measures mental fatigue using a combination of EEG and HRV data. MaddCog’s mental fatigue measurement is over 82% accurate, with more details available here. In regards to gaming performance, MaddCog’s research shows that serious League of Legends players win 12% less games when in a mentally fatigued state, as detailed here. The impact of mental fatigue varies between individuals with some players being more significantly impacted. MaddCog’s apps learn this relationship and provide recommendations to take a break when the level of fatigue is likely to have a negative effect.

*MaddCog’s algorithms are patent pending.

Improving your game

Ever had those days when you just weren’t on? Right from the start you weren’t playing well and just had to hope your team could carry you. MaddCog helps you avoid these days and play at your best consistently.

Media

• https://techacute.com/keep-track-of-your-mental-gaming-performance-with-maddcog/

Tech specs

What’s in the box?

• 1x Game Band
• 1x USB-C charge cable
• 1x Stickers – personalise your headband
• Access to the MaddCog Windows and mobile apps

Game band specs

• Size
  • Weight – 70 grams
  • Dimensions – 23mm tall and 13mm at its thickest
  • Adjustable to fit head diameter of 50-70 cm’s
• Connectivity
  • Bluetooth LE 5.2
• Battery
  • 120mAh LiPo battery
  • Estimated battery life of over 10 hours
• Apps
  • Windows app – Windows 10 or 11 with Bluetooth (a USB Bluetooth is the cheapest option if your PC doesn’t already have Bluetooth). The app will install .NET if it is not already installed.
  • iOS app – iPhone running iOS 14 or newer
  • Android app – Android phone running Android 11 or newer
• Current game integrations
  • League of Legends
  • Valorant (Windows only)
  • CS:GO (Windows only)
  • Dota 2 (Windows only)
  • Apex Legends (Windows only)
  • Fortnite (Windows only)
  • Rocket League (Windows only)
  • Overwatch (Windows only)
  • Other – you can manually add a game. This works in the same way as an integrated game although you don’t get game stats automatically at the end of each match.

Currency

As this is a New Zealand-based IndieGoGo campaign, all prices are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD). For convenience we have indicated all prices in approximate U.S. Dollars (USD) as well, using NZD$1 ≈ USD$0.64. The specific exchange rate will be determined by IndieGoGo at purchase.

Duty, Tax and Shipping

For all destinations other than New Zealand, this item will be shipped duty-unpaid (DDU) using a tracked delivery service from the United States. You will be responsible for any tax or duties associated with your shipment. This can be paid prior to shipping to make shipping quicker.

Get in touch

Several members of the team previously worked together at Logitech. They noticed they would spend hours each morning in meetings and then struggle to do their deep work in the afternoon. Were they fatigued or just lazy? Then at night, they would play competitive online games and find that one night they were unstoppable, then the next they were terrible. Why was there this variation? MaddCog was born to answer these questions.

Team video

Warranty

Any MaddCog Game Band purchased during the IndieGoGo campaign is covered by our 12-month warranty (from date of delivery).

Customer service

The MaddCog team is here to assist you. Product support is available at https://support.maddcog.com/ or email us at support@maddcog.com or join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/FyP2cW8UJs

Manufacturing

The Game Band was designed and developed in New Zealand, while manufacturing is being done in Shenzhen, China by our partner who has many years of experience manufacturing EEGs and head-worn sensor devices.

Production stage

MaddCog currently has a fully functional product which includes a prototype Game Band, Windows and iOS apps, and full integration with League of Legends, Valorant and CSGO, as well as manual mode for all other games.

Development is in progress for the Android app, and the addition of Dota 2, Rocket League, Overwatch, Apex Legends and Fortnite.

The current prototype Game Band is fully functional but an earlier design. The V2 design is slimmer with the HRV sensor positioned more appropriately. This design is complete and currently undergoing a manufacturing review.

New Zealand Backers and GST

As required by law as a registered New Zealand company, GST is applicable for all New Zealand backers. The IndieGoGo payment does not include GST, so we will have to collect the GST (15%) after the Kickstarter campaign. A GST invoice will be available on request.

Risks and Challenges

During the development of our early access prototypes, we encountered many of the challenges associated with hardware development. We have tried to limit these risks for our production release, however, the main risks and challenges we see with this project are:

• Chip supply – Semiconductor supply has been volatile worldwide for the last few years. We are controlling this risk and already have adequate stock of key components related to the sensors and Bluetooth and have chosen other components that have good availability.
• Shipping – Since COVID restrictions, global shipping has seen extraordinary delays and reduced reliability. We will attempt to minimize the problem by using carriers that are less impacted.

Media kit

Product information, images and videos are available in our media kit.