Ouch
Overview
In this fast-moving online game players first choose a type of pain to combat then select ways to protect a brain from the incoming pain signals. Painkillers are usually effective but we can build up a tolerance, placebos may help but are not reliable, or there's venom - researchers feel it has potential as a painkiller in the future - which has a strong impact but is difficult to harvest. Emotions can also affect the way we experience pain, represented in the game via 'Mood Clouds'.
Ouch was co-created with Year 9 students from Langley Academy in Berkshire. Twelve students worked with Museum staff, scientists and the games developer at every stage, from deciding on the topic of pain through to shaping the look and feel of the final game.