The Longitude Prize introduces new game app: Superbugs

Superbugs is a fun app-based game produced by the Longitude Prize, aimed at 11 to 16 year olds. Players fight superbugs using existing and new antibiotics, and try to survive against the most virulent strains of bacterial infections.

The Longitude Prize is a five-year challenge with a £10 million prize fund. It challenges entrepreneurs to create a new, quick, easy and affordable diagnostic tool to use antibiotics appropriately and to prevent further misuse in today’s medical practices.

Launched in 2014, the Longitude Prize commemorates the 300th anniversary of the Longitude Act of 1714, to determine longitude at sea. As of July 6th 2016, 156 teams from 33 countries are collaborating on ideas to win this Prize.

Tamar Ghosh, spokesperson for the Longitude Prize, said: “We know that our daily behaviours - like sharing and overusing antibiotics - can lead to bacteria becoming drug-resistant, so it’s really important that we increase awareness around this huge issue. It’s especially important to reach young people and games like this are a fantastic way of doing that.”

Superbugs was recognised in the Silver category at the Serious Play Awards. Find out more about Superbugs here.