Game Review: DNA Discoveries

The history of DNA and genetics isn't exactly the easiest topic for just anyone to jump into and understand. It takes scientists years of schooling and hours in the lab to master niche areas of these ever-expanding fields. So how can someone with no scientific background begin to understand DNA and genetics?

I believe that when learning any subject, a foundation of basics is essential. It allows you to be a part of conversations and understand the building blocks of your chosen subject. This is exactly what I think Genomics England had in mind when creating its version of a genetics Top Trumps game – DNA Discoveries, described as 'the game where genomic science breakthroughs go head-to-head'.

Each card has a different genetic or DNA discovery along with scores related to its significance and impact. The bottom of the card is reserved for a basic description of that discovery and the science behind it. While playing the game, the players see more discoveries and are able to read about them, instilling key fundamental knowledge with each passing round.

One of the major issues with genetics and genomics is that they are not highly accessible topics. It is difficult to find beginner-level information that can be easily understood by anyone. However, the interface of this game is exceptionally clear and easy to understand. Its simple and straightforward nature allows for players to skip the part in most games where you spend 30 minutes trying to understand the rules. I believe that this adds to the overall accessibility of the game.

I found the short descriptions at the bottom of each card to be a high point of the game's construction. They provided essential information to understand the science of each discovery while doing so in words that anyone could understand, regardless of scientific background. I am not a geneticist, and nor am I a PhD candidate in any subject, but there was not one card that I could not understand.

When it finally came to sitting down at the pub and playing the game with friends, the basic descriptions on the cards made the experience significantly more enjoyable. Despite my friends having a combined zero years of studying genetics, there were no issues with understanding the cards. I hypothesised that this ultimately allowed for the information to more easily stick, so that when we walked away from the table, the knowledge would not simply slip away.

To test my theory, I went back to my friends a few days later and quizzed them on some of the different discoveries on the cards. To my surprise, they had retained all the information from just a few rounds of playing. The game had proven to be successful in its goal: to make genetics and DNA discoveries more accessible subjects. Despite this success, I did find a few shortcomings with the game while playing it with different groups of friends.

First, I believe that much of the value of the game is predicated on the willingness of the player to read and learn the information on the card. I found with certain groups that I played with, some players did not take the time to read, and only focused on looking at the scores and winning each round. Ultimately, those people only learned the names of some important genetic and DNA discoveries. When I quizzed them on some of the science at a later date, those players were not able to answer.

Furthermore, we all felt that some of the cards were almost too simple, and the game felt somewhat childish. Although it is not limited to any certain age group, at times the game felt as though it was best suited for children beginning secondary school. Despite these few shortcomings, I do believe that the game offers an accessible bridge to begin understanding these complex subjects.

DNA Discoveries is extremely successful in creating a fun environment for anyone to begin learning about DNA and genetics. Games like this are making subjects that were once exclusively for experts more accessible to the general public, ultimately allowing more people to participate in scientific conversations, which, in my opinion, is an overwhelming positive.