Work

Amplify

Cell Strike

Challenging 4th and 5th graders to take control of the human immune system and do battle against bacteria and infection.

BRINGING STEM TO LIFE

Amplify is a US-focused educational publisher reimagining the way teachers teach and students learn. At the heart of this ambition is a groundbreaking digital curriculum for 4th and 5th grade pupils. We’ve been working with Amplify on a series of Maths, English Language, Arts and Science games for a variety of platforms.

The human immune system is an incredibly rich subject area for a game, with its natural wealth of interesting characters and life-or-death dynamics. With a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, our objective with Cell Strike was to introduce players to the human immune system and give them first-hand experience of the different ways our bodies overcome infection.

Our objective with Cell Strike was to introduce players to the human immune system and give them first-hand experience of the different ways our bodies overcome infection.

LEARNING THROUGH REAL-TIME STRATEGY

Cell Strike takes students beneath the skin of the human body to control the blood cells and platelets that protect us all. It’s a real-time strategy game where players have the power to devise and execute their own tactics for success. By freely exploring a rich 3D environment, they observe how various parts of the immune system work together and, crucially, how they can be coordinated in different ways.

With direct control over four ‘units’, the player develops an instinctive understanding of how these component parts of our immune system work as a team, gathering information and adapting to invading bacteria. The key to success is understanding and then effectively managing the body’s resources to locate, study and overcome the enemy. Platelets are cast as ‘Engineer’ units, playing a vital role in sealing wounds. ‘Killers’ are the footsoldiers of the immune system, attacking bacteria to release antigens. ‘Scouts’ gather up this useful information and pass it on to ‘Specialist’ units so they can pinpoint weaknesses.

The key to success is understanding and then effectively managing the body’s resources to locate, study and overcome the enemy.

“PRELOADED are a rare breed, extraordinarily talented in the craft of making great games and passionate about finding new ways to help people learn.”

Justin Leites , VP Games, Amplify Learning

WORKING WITH EXPERTS

Cell Strike was developed in close collaboration with blood expert Lawrence Hutchinson from Edinburgh University and the Amplify science team. It draws on a fascinating area of biology and plays out in real time to capture the real-life dynamics and drama on the front line of immune defence.

The game has been rolled out to a number of US schools as part of the Amplify pilot programme.