CellCraft is an educational strategy game where players build and manage a living cell, producing organelles, generating energy, and fighting off viral infections. Through this, players gain a deeper understanding of cellular biology and the processes that keep cells functioning
CellCraft utilizes both simulation and strategy play. As the player, you are tasked with running a functional cell by producing necessary organelles, such as mitochondria for energy and ribosomes for protein synthesis. Resource management is key—you must constantly monitor and manage ATP (the cell’s energy currency) while responding to various threats, such as viral infections. This balancing act requires strategic thinking, as your decisions impact whether the cell thrives or dies
Application of the MDAO Framework:
- Mechanics:
The mechanics of CellCraft center on building a functional cell. You begin by creating organelles, each with distinct functions, like producing energy or defending the cell. These actions require ATP and other resources, which the player must carefully manage. As you advance, the challenges increase, with viruses attacking more frequently and resources becoming harder to manage. These mechanics drive the core gameplay, ensuring that players are constantly engaged in the decision-making process of how to prioritize growth, defense, and survival. Using the movement mechanic at the cytoplasm
- Dynamics:
The dynamics emerge from how players interact with these systems. As the game progresses, the pressure to keep the cell alive grows. For instance below as the cell I interacted on collecting resources and energy to make and run the cell.
Players must decide how to collect and use limited resources efficiently while responding to viral threats. The need to balance long-term planning (building more organelles) with immediate defensive actions (fighting off viruses) creates a dynamic tension throughout the game. The interaction between these systems makes each playthrough unique, encouraging players to experiment with different strategies. For instance by using my resources below and collecting the right resources I was able to defend against a Virus attack (as shown below)
- Aesthetics:
The aesthetics of CellCraft revolve around challenge and discovery. The challenge lies in keeping the cell functioning under increasingly difficult circumstances. Meanwhile, discovery is embedded in the learning process itself: as players build and maintain the cell, they come to understand the complex systems that drive cellular life. The game’s light-hearted narrative, featuring platypuses, provides a humorous contrast to the serious scientific subject matter, making it more accessible and enjoyable
- Outcomes:
The primary outcome of CellCraft is educational. By simulating the processes and challenges of cellular life, the game deepens players’ understanding of how cells function in a real-world biological context. I gained insights into how organelles work together and how cells react to external stressors like viral infections. I also learned about the organelles and processes.
In CellCraft, visual aids play a key role in reinforcing educational content. The game’s clear representations of ATP production, viral attacks, and cellular processes make the underlying science more accessible. Screenshots of these interactions could easily serve as teaching tools in biology classes, providing concrete examples of abstract concepts. These visuals help bridge the gap between gameplay and education, making complex cellular functions understandable to players at all levels
