Over 171,000 players of the space MMORPG EVE Online are helping scientists collect data on the coronavirus.
How are players helping scientists? In the MMORPG EVE Online, it is possible to play a mini-game. Project Discovery can be launched directly in the MMORPG and the task is to collect data on the virus. This involves encircling as many points of cell clusters as possible.
This data is then transmitted to scientists, who use it to better understand the coronavirus. This supports the development of, for example, medications or vaccines.
With Project Discovery, EVE players have already supported scientific projects in the past.
EVE Online and the Fight Against the Coronavirus
What has been achieved? Players have been able to solve around 47 million of these mini-game tasks so far, which has provided scientists with about 36 years worth of cell categorization. This means that scientists would have needed 36 years to collect this data using conventional methods.
Thus, EVE Online players are not only fighting each other in wars but also against the coronavirus.
What do the developers think about this? According to the developer studio CCP Games, the players were immediately convinced to participate.
We made it into a nice game. There are incentives for people to try it out… but it’s also just the heart and soul of our community. These are things that our community really enjoys, and it’s something that truly benefits the public.
David Eckert, Lead Producer of EVE Online
What does this action show? It is possible to engage players of online games to contribute to the fight against the corona pandemic by packaging the collection of data on the coronavirus into a mini-game.
Since this game is directly integrated into EVE Online, players do not even have to leave the MMORPG and can simply start the mini-game on the side and mark a few cell clusters. This already helps the scientists.
What do you think of this action? Do you perhaps play EVE Online and participate yourselves?
EVE Online is also known for its extraordinary records. Recently, a new world record was set, where 8,825 players engaged in an epic battle.
