Are you smarter than a hairdryer?

Mark O'connor, Associate Producer of Buzz!: Brain Bender, tells eu.playstation.com about the series' new direction.

How is Brain Bender different from other Buzz! titles?

This is the first time Buzz has left the comfort of his quiz studio to play a professor in a lab. There are no questions in Brain Bender, but a series of exciting puzzles testing the four main functions of the brain that we use in our everyday lives - calculation, memory, analysis and observation.

How did you decide upon the game categories and puzzles?

We looked at the four areas of the brain and applied puzzles that we thought where fun to play and offered a real challenge. The increasing difficulty and the pressure of Test mode make for a game that is both entertaining and mentally taxing.

In the game you rate brain power by the output of devices such as hairdryers and jet fighters, why did you decide to use electrical and motor devices?

A player's performance is measured in Kilojoules, which are then related to an everyday object. For example, a low score may only add up to enough energy to power a nose-hair trimmer, while a better score could be represented by a jukebox. Players know how well they have done according to the device they can power with their converted brain power.

Why do you think brain games have become so popular in recent years?

People like to be tested and challenged; everyone has a brain and keeping it in top shape can only be beneficial. In today's world, life is made easier for us, so thinking for yourself and solving problems is more of a challenge. Buzz!: Brain Bender is filled with stimuli designed to get you thinking fast, which will help you focus on the areas that you need to improve on.

How does a brain training game improve your mental agility?

Responding to different stimuli and having to work things out can only benefit the brain. Reacting and not knowing what is coming next makes for a fun experience that keeps you thinking, and that has to be good for those millions of cells.

What needs to be considered when developing for a handheld system?

The PSP is an opportunity-based game system, designed to be played on the move. Buzz!: Brain Bender has modes that can be played in a short amount of time, where players can dip in and out quickly, and modes that can be played at a more leisurely pace. All of the puzzles are designed to be fun and fast, with varying levels of difficulty to keep the players on their toes.