University of Washington Researchers are Using a Game to Fight Coronavirus

Researchers at the University of Washington have created a game to help fight COVID-19, otherwise known as the novel coronavirus. It's a somewhat bizarre, though incredibly interesting, concept that may have tangible real-world benefits if enough people participate.

The game, dubbed Foldit, allows players to create antiviral proteins to combat coronavirus, the disease that directly led to GDC being postponed. Players start off using intro tutorials to learn the basic mechanics of the game but are then able to create their own antiviral proteins. The best ones will be manufactured and tested at the University of Washington Institute for Protein Design, with the hopes of finding a vaccine for the coronavirus.

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Right now, the game has over 200,000 registered players, each contributing to coronavirus-combatting research. Coronavirus has had a sizeable impact on various industries, including gaming. Worsening conditions have led to lowered manufacturing output for a large list of products, leading to delays for things like the Nintendo Switch. The disease has heavily impacted many Asian countries, where it's believed to have originated.

Coronavirus shows no signs of slowing down, leading to fears that the PS5 and Xbox Series X may be delayed if it persists through the end of this year, along with a wide variety of other products and events. With any luck, the issue will be solved sooner rather than later, and Foldit may provide invaluable information that could lead to a vaccine.

For now, the world has to hang tight as coronavirus research is conducted. There's relatively little anyone can do beyond practicing good personal hygiene, though Foldit is certainly another way people can help, should they have the desire. Coronavirus is, of course, a big issue, being far more serious than any video game delays. Hopefully, it will be solved sooner rather than later.

It is, however, interesting to see a puzzle game have such a practical application, especially one with such a low barrier to entry, as making the game available for free online is a respectable thing to do. Plague Inc., another game about the spread of disease, was recently banned from Chinese app stores, so maybe Foldit will prove to be a decent alternative.

Foldit is available now online.

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