HPRU launches new computer game to mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance has launched the game Dicing with Death

Staff at Imperial College London have been working with designer Jamie Firth to develop a series of games around Antimicrobial Resistance.

The games, one of which will be launched to mark World Antibiotic Awareness Week, aim to explain what resistance is to members of the public and what they can do to help prevent it.

Based on arcade favourites “Asteroids” and “Whack-a-mole”, as well as a more traditional snakes and ladders game, the development has been funded through an Imperial College Societal Engagement Rapid Response Seed Fund and funding from the NIHR and ESRC.

Professor Alison Holmes, Director of the HPRU in HCAI and AMR said; “there is a lot of work to be done to explain to the public what AMR is and what they can do about it.  COVID-19 has shown what can happen if an untreatable pathogen emerges – AMR means that there are several such pathogens which are now resistant to the drugs of last resort.  These games are a fantastic resource, to explain what AMR is while having fun.”

 Jamie Firth agreed, adding “Awareness of AMR is something that really needs to be amplified - blending fun with education is a great way to do this."

The game can be found on our HPRU website.