In a collaboration between video game developers and biomedical researchers, Borderlands 3 players find themselves unexpectedly listed as contributors to a peer-reviewed scientific paper. The unique initiative, known as the Borderlands Science project, aimed to leverage the enthusiasm of gamers to assist in real-world scientific research.
(Photo : Gearbox Software / Screenshot taken from Steam.)
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A Fusion of Gaming and Science
Back in April 2020, Gearbox Software, the creators of Borderlands 3, joined forces with a team of biomedical researchers, including actress and scientist Mayim Bialik, to introduce a novel minigame within the popular looter shooter. This game-within-a-game tasked players with solving puzzles involving real microbial DNA extracted from human waste.
A Collective Effort
Since its launch, over four million Borderlands 3 players have engaged with the minigame, collectively solving a staggering 135 million science puzzles. This immense contribution has allowed scientists to analyze and trace the evolutionary relationships of over a million forms of gut bacteria, offering valuable insights into their impact on human health.
Recognition and Future Implications
In a show of appreciation for their contribution, both Borderlands science players and employees of Gearbox Entertainment have been listed as authors of the paper published in a peer-reviewed journal. The data generated by players will also be used to enhance artificial intelligence programs for cell analysis, promising further advancements in scientific research.
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