Here at BigRedBarrel we do like to shine a spotlight on those that aren’t creating videogames for profit or attention, but instead exploring the potential of games and use them to cast a ray of light over this spinning rock of ours. This is what we’ve affectionately named Gaming for Good and this time we’re focusing on one of this country’s most important charities in Cancer Research UK and their new mobile title.
In a world where smart phones have become the norm, it’s not surprising that mobile gaming has had a massive rise in popularity over the past few years. In that time we’ve gone from cheap addictive gameplay such as Angry Birds, to the money-draining endless titles like Candy Crush. Rather than using the free-to-play genre to focus on in-app purchases, Cancer Research UK (along with the help of Amazon, Facebook, Google, City University, Omnisoft and Guerilla Tea) have instead created something amazing.
Introducing Play to Cure: Genes in Space, a free game for smartphones and tablets that should help research into breast cancer immeasurably. While you play Play to Cure: Genes in Space you will be carrying out vital research that would take more man hours than is currently possible for the CRUK’s scientists. The game was developed during a 48-hour Cancer Research UK Game Jam, where programmers combined to create a mobile app (from scratch) that’s fun to play and utilizes methods for you to aid the fight against cancer directly.
When playing Play to Cure: Genes in Space, the player is tasked with collecting something called Element Alpha. By mapping a route though fields of blue space dust and then navigating your space craft though asteroid fields, this is actually a way for you to interpret DNA microarray data and transmit results back to Cancer Research UK. Examining DNA microarray data is one of the best ways to determine what is causing cancers as it helps to find out which genes have been lost or duplicated among sufferers.
As a player collects Element Alpha, they are actually showing researchers where the copy number variations begin and end in the array data. Gene variations that are more common are more likely to be important in treating cancer. Computers can do some of this without human intervention, but humans are actually better than current software at noticing subtle changes in patterns, like in the DNA microarray data.
While this isn’t the most challenging mobile game you can play, it is still fun and potentially the most important piece of software you could be carrying around in your pocket today! Play to Cure: Genes in Space is available right now for the majority of mobile devices through either the Apple App Store or on Google Play.
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So get playing and help fight one of the biggest battles of our life time.
Ridcullys Hat
This is an incredible idea and a fantastic way to get the message out there.
Ridcullys Hat
I’ll also add its pretty damned addictive. Seeing as it saves thousands of man hours for scientists and we really are gaming for good and hopefully the eradication of cancer in the future.
Ridcullys Hat
It certainly seems hopeful in the long run. I know they’re looking at genetically modifying the A.I.D.S virus in leukaemia treatment to attack the cancer as opposed to the immune system but that’s still a very scary thought to be honest. Not game related but definitely appropriate to the subject. Its such a clever idea to use gamers and also the fact its free AND a good game. I can’t see a thing wrong with the idea. This is also a subject very close to my families and many other families hearts and CRUK have been doing so much good and then they pull this out of the bag, they should have a donate button on the game somewhere. Just so people could pay as much or as little for the game
Ridcullys Hat
My sentiments exactly. It affects everybody at some point, young or old or anywhere in between. I’d gladly chuck money in for this but the fact we’re getting it for free and also they still get some good from it in the way we play and go through the game then its just a win all round.