THE SCIENCE OF PLAY: HOW GAMES UNLOCK NEW DISCOVERIES

By: Aly Diana

Source: DALL-E

I have never considered myself a gamer, but I was thrilled to discover that a mini-game embedded in Borderlands 3 is reaching its audience—scientists and non-scientists alike—to advance science. This idea struck me as nothing short of brilliant: low cost, high yield, and impactful on a massive scale. During this discovery period, I also learned that this concept has been around for quite some time.

It made me reflect and ask myself: Where have I been??? So, I want-ed to share what I’ve found, ensuring that no one else feels left behind.

Below are brief explanations and stories about how games are improving science. The his-tory of using games for scientific discovery can be traced back to 2008 with the introduction of Foldit. Foldit was one of the first citizen science games to engage the public in solving real-world scientific problems. It allowed players to predict the structure of proteins by manipulating 3D models in a game-like inter-face. Foldit’s innovative approach demonstrated that human intuition and pattern recognition could outperform algorithms in certain tasks. The success of Foldit inspired the creation of numerous other citizen science games that have since revolutionized research fields, from genomics to quantum physics. This approach not only accelerates problem-solving but also makes cutting-edge science accessible to the general public.

Another fascinating example is Borderlands Science, a mini game embedded within the popular video game Borderlands 3, introduced in 2020. Borderlands Science presents players with puzzles that involve connecting colored nodes in a grid-like format. Unbeknownst to players, these puzzles represent real-world DNA sequences, specifically the genetic makeup of gut microbiomes. By solving these puzzles, players help scientists align and analyze microbial DNA sequences more efficiently. The game leverages the human brain’s pattern-recognition abilities to correct errors in DNA sequence alignments, a task that would otherwise require significant computational resources. The collective effort of millions of players has enabled researchers to process vast amounts of genomic data, advancing studies on microbiomes and their impact on human health. Borderlands Science demonstrates how seemingly simple games can harness collective intelligence to address complex scientific challenges.

Gamification also has the potential to break down silos between disciplines. Researchers developed a game to simulate the spread of misinformation on social media. Players assumed different roles, such as fact-checkers or content creators, and strategized to either amplify or mitigate the spread of false information. The game’s design encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together behavioral scientists, data analysts, and communications experts to tackle a shared challenge. This collaborative model illustrates how games can serve as neutral platforms for addressing complex, multifaceted problems. By fostering teamwork and shared understanding, games have the potential to generate insights that might otherwise be missed in traditional research settings.

As gaming technology continues to evolve, its ap-plications in research are poised to grow. Virtual and augmented reality, for instance, offer immersive environments for simulating real-world phenomena, from climate change to molecular inter-actions. Meanwhile, advances in artificial intelligence could enable games to adapt dynamically to player strategies, further enhancing their utility as research tools.

Games are no longer just a pastime—they are powerful engines of innovation. By engaging di-verse participants, enabling large-scale data collection, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, gamification is reshaping how research is conducted and who can participate. As this trend continues, the boundaries between play and discovery will blur, unlocking new frontiers in science. I hope this brief comic corner can inspire people to tap into their creative side, sparking ideas that are both novel and useful. Perhaps this could even inspire a New Year’s resolution!

References

  • Dadaczynski K, Tolks D, Wrona KJ, Mc Call T, Fischer F. The untapped potential of Games for Health in times of crises. A critical reflection. Front Public Health. 2023 Feb 28;11:1140665. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1140665.
  • Sarrazin-Gendron, R., Ghasemloo Gheidari, P., Bu-tyaev, A. et al. Improving microbial phylogeny with citizen science within a mass-market video game. Nat Biotechnol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-024-02175-6.
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