Instructional Games for Biology

#1 Blix, I immediately though about Micro-Warrior but then read that it is for college and that it needs to follow a specific aspect. I think it would be good if you expalin what specific aspect(s) you are looking for.

#2 From your (terse) description, I'd say T2D.

#3 I'm sorry for not writing more. Sometimes people are discouraged by this stuff. Its actually quite fascinating and involves Zerg-like blobs going around and killing stuff. Totally video game material.

here is a better description:
Your body is comprised of several types of 'white' blood cells called leukocytes. The major immune system cells are B-cells, T Helper Cells, Cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and Macrophages. In the game, I want the user to be a T Helper cell and move around to interact with B-cells or Macrophages, which are Antigen Presenting Cells (APC's). If there is a signal interaction (ie recognition of foreign protein called antigen), I want the user to have the option of pressing a button that releases cytokines from the T-Helper cell to activate Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTL's). once the CTLs are activated I want the user to control the CTL's and go around killing cells that are infected. It would also be cool to have control of Macrophages that go around eating bacteria up.

If this works out, it might also be cool to have an interactive where the user has to initiate a proper sequence of buttons to initiate a signal response. This is not as essential, although it would be pretty cutting edge in the field of immunology.

#4 You're right. That does sound fascinating. Please keep us posted. I'm sure I don't have the details you do, but I'd love to see some screenshots as you progress.

#5 I only know how to do this in flash, so it is a bit limitting. So far, I have this prototype that is far from optimal. Use the joystick in the middle of the screen.
http://www.uweb.ucsb.edu/~awebster/macrophage_killer.swf

#6 Blix,
I'm a super beginner at torque, but I think if you look at the cells as AIbots, you can do what you are suggesting. You could make the THelperCell as the avatar, and the CTLs could be AIbots that follow and do the same thing as the avatar. (sorry, at a loss for words as to explain it)
There are games where the "hero" has other players (AIBots) that work with the hero in combat. You can do the same thing, you just have to think "out of the box" in order to make it work.
www.garagegames.com/index.php?sec=mg&mod=resource&page=view&qid=4163
That article isn't exactly what I was talking about, but the concept is there. Advanced 3d game programming all in one, by Kenneth Finney talks about and even has some example code dealing with swarms. That may help you get on your way with this. It sounds fasinating and I'll be watching.

#7 Hi Blix,
We're starting to get into this at the ILC in Canada - developing Learning Objects using a 3D engine (focused on Flash at the moment - I'm an advanced designer/developer in Flash).
I've also recently found out about re-mission but it's not in public release until May. Not perhaps excatly what you're looking for but to let you know others are having a crack at it too.

My own personal opinion is that you could develop this in Flash quite easily and would be a good way to prototype your idea. What you linked to above is very basic but I would take it further and work out the mechanics for the "game". Putting this into a 3D environment would be a challenge but possible.

Keep me posted as this is something I'm very interested in myself :)

#8 James,
I am amazed by the re-mission sample and I feel its design is the best direction for creating digital interactive microscopic systems.

How well does Flash translates to 3D? Is there enough direction in a 2D prototype to direct a 3D project? Would you be able to make something out of this Flash file, for example?:

www.uweb.ucsb.edu/~awebster/virus.html

It covers the mechanism of infection of viruses, particularly H5N1 (Avian) Flu. Be careful with the navigation... wait for the NEXT button to prompt you to the next frame set.

thanks!

#9 Actually, The first part of Will Wright's Spore (www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=41158) is more relatable to the Flash 2D environment. Perhaps that might be easier to create from a Flash prototype.

#10 The first part of Will's demonstration is indeed something to reference. When I think of the microscopic, I tend to think in terms of 2D given that most images and video are recording a thin "slice" of that world.

The flash sample you posted above could "easily" be turned into a playable game demo with proper planning. The learning is there and just needs to be taken to the next step. The graphics could easily be "pimped" at a later date once the game mechanics and interface are in place and working.

Here's my personal opinion for what it's worth ;) - Develop your game in 2D first. Work out the mechanics and controls and see if your thinking works on that level. If the answer is yes, then starting looking at 3D. What you might find is that 2D provides all that you need to communicate the learning you want and at the same time is fun to use. With our students, we've found that sometimes the learning is best when the presentation is kept simple and to the point.

On the 3D front, I would reference Tube Twist to see a how you could use a 3D space and simplify the controls for your game. XY control to navigate the screen with the Z depth used to move in and out on items/objects/organisms.

Sorry for rambling a bit but I get carried away... and I've only had one coffee this morning.
In short, I do think you're on the right track :)

Keep me posted as I'd be interested in how you make out with it :)

#11 As food for thought, it would perhaps be a little easier on the player to keep the system to something "not too 3D" as it may be difficult to zoom/scroll/pan all around a truly 3D environment to select/act on specific cells or items. What I mean is, everything could be portrayed as realistically as possible: a totally fluid environment with everything moving around at once. Imagine to complexity of selecting a specific item within that chaotic realm.

(again, very cool idea)

#12 While not quite what you are after, here is a similar game being developed by someone else, set inside a body at the cellular level with nano bots:

www.bonebroke.com/