Daily Mail Gets Video Game Gullible - UPDATED

If there's one thing worse than UK tabloid The Daily Mail attacking video games with no basis, it's UK tabloid The Daily Mail trying to support video gaming.

Today The Mail reports that, "Brain training computer games can improve children's grades within weeks, scientists have found."

"A study showed that video puzzles designed to exercise a child's 'working memory' boosted reasoning and problem solving skills for at least three months."

All very positive stuff. So, tell us about these 'scientists' and 'a study'.

"The new research, by psychologists at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, tested the effects of brain training on 62 school children with an average age of eight and nine."

Brilliant.

So, what do the 'scientists' have to say on the matter. The DM quotes a single psychologist - called Dr Susanne Jaeggi, "who led the study": 'The current findings add to the literature demonstrating that brain training works, and that transfer effects may even persist over time.'

Excellent. What the paper forgets to mention, or more likely didn't research when it reprinted the press release was that Dr Jaeggi's professional standing and image are used by a company called IQMindware with the disclaimer at the bottom of the page on which these credentials (and those of other professionals) are is used that, "These individuals are not directly involved in the development of IQ Mindware™ software." That's our emphasis.

In fact, Dr Jaeggi has been in contact with SPOnG directly and would like to make it clear that, despite i3Mindware using her name and image on its credentials page:

"I would like to point out that I am NOT working with a company called IQMindware, nor do I endorse any of their programs or software. I do independent research and I am not charging my participants for doing the training."

Of course, we did not suggest that Dr Jaeggi charges participants in her research. In fact, we said this:

"Now, we're not saying that the research is flawed or not carried out with absolute, professional objectivity, we just thought we'd help the DM out with its games coverage."

We hope that clears things up, and that IQMindware clarifies that the Dr has no involvement in the development of its software.

So, to help out the DM, we'll tell you that IQMindware sells i3 Mindware software, for brain training. It'll cost you $44.99 for a single-user licence or $59.99 for a three-device licence on Mac and PC, as you can see here.

No need to thank us, DM. Well, there is, stop writing about games.

As a further update, Dr Jaeggi has responded to us following our recent update with some interesting information regarding the IQMindware company: "I was not aware that IQ Mindware was using my image, suggesting that I was working with them, and I asked them to take it down."

So, it appears that our little story has helped somewhere.

Sources:
The Daily Mail
IQMindware