Foldit

If games are a cultural asset, a driver of innovation, and an economic force, how does the cultural practice of gaming impact science? Paradoxically, the COVID-19 pandemic offers games an opportunity to prove their effectiveness. A pioneering example is the scientific discovery game Foldit from the University of Washington. Since 2006, an interdisciplinary research group led by David Salesin and David Baker has been using computer game technologies to study protein folding as a means of tackling diseases such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and Alzheimer’s. As part of a citizen science initiative, hundreds of thousands of gamers worldwide have volunteered to support the researchers through Foldit. This year, the jury of the German Computer Game Awards is honoring the exceptional commitment of Foldit’s creators in the fight against COVID-19 by awarding Foldit the Special Jury Award. Foldit has enabled gamers worldwide to actively participate in the search for a medical solution—an innovative combination of gaming and research that will hopefully inspire many others to follow suit.

The DCP Jury 2020