Antidote COVID-19, a new mobile game created in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to raise awareness of COVID-19 vaccines and fight misinformation as well as being fun.
Developed by Psyon Games, a Finnish startup specializing in science and health games, Antidote COVID-19 is a tower defense game in which the player helps the human immune system fight waves of attacks from bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 behind the COVID-19 outbreak. can be defined as The game invites you to join the Antitode Labs just before the COVID-19 outbreak, and players are given tasks related to helping stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Along this journey, players can learn about their immune system, all kinds of pathogens, vaccines, and ways to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Perhaps the most important feature of this colorful adventure, which is full of fun and action, full of cute characters and villains, is that it is full of science and facts. Psyon Games developed the game in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF Finland and Gavi – The Vaccine Alliance, a global health partnership with the aim of increasing access to immunity in developing countries. They also took the advice of a number of public health experts to check again and again the validity of the science embedded in the game to ensure the science in the game was correct.
Launched with the #iamtheshield campaign, the game hopes to spread two important messages: First, get vaccinated; second, get the facts to counter false information. By conveying this message through a mobile game, they hope to attract the attention of young people in particular. While young people are often assumed to be more “digitally literate” than older generations, influencer culture and social media still perpetuate misinformation, “fake news” and conspiracy theories. When it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of misinformation, which continues to be a major hurdle in the fight against COVID-19, can be one of the biggest reasons young people are hesitant about vaccination.
Olli Rundgren, CEO of Psyon Games, said: “Despite increasing vaccination rates worldwide, there are also alarming signs of vaccine passivity, especially among young people. It’s not a matter of active resistance, but rather a belief that getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is somehow unnecessary.” “But the truth is, we need everyone’s participation to stop this epidemic and get back to normal.”
Andy Pattison, WHO Digital Channels Team Leader, says, “Globally, including in countries where COVID-19 vaccines are widely available, misinformation hinders vaccine acceptance and broader public health efforts,” and adds: “Games like Antidote COVID-19 It can help them digest complex scientific information about the virus, while building their resilience to misinformation about COVID-19 protective measures like masks and vaccines in engaging ways, in the palm of their hand.”
To download the game for free, you can visit the App Store on iOS or Google Play Store on Android.
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