Mindball

A Hemmoian sport, Mindball can be played by two or more people, often divided into teams. The sport is practiced in both real environments and the virtual realities of the Collective.

Like most ballgames, the objective of Mindball is to guide a spherical object into a receptacle called a "goal". However, unlike in most ballgames, it is expressly forbidden to touch the ball at all; the participants must guide the movements of the ball with their minds.

The Ball

The ball used in Mindball games is a specially designed spherical object with miniature MGD levitation devices installed, allowing it to float in the air. The device also has a wireless receiver and an onboard computer that guides its movement based on received input.

Movement commands are given by the players through their cranial implants; however, this takes immense concentration as the opponents are constantly giving opposite directions.

Scoring Goals

To win the game and score a goal, the player must not only successfully send commands to the ball with his mind, but also somehow distract the other players. This can be achieved in a number of ways, from thinking disruptive brainwaves into the opponent's cranial implants, to moving the ball in unexpected directions, lodging it from the opponent's grasp, to shouting insults. In team games, the teams may be divided into "Movers" and "Disruptors", although players routinely change attack patterns from Moving to Disrupting in order to further confuse the opponent.

Penalty Incidents

Although all physical contact between players is forbidden, it is not unheard of for players to crack under the intense mental pressure and end the game by punching the opponent in the face. In another well known incident that took place during the 492nd All-Federation Mindball Tournament, the cranial implant of Yis 401 Kudmeet short-circuited and briefly set his head on fire.