Pharmageddon - Antibiotic Card Game *In Development*

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Jaundice101

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Not sure if cross posting is allowed, but since I figured this may have some appeal to pharmacy students and residents I thought I would post a link.

For those so interested, I am developing a card game on antibiotic use. It aims to be more than just flash cards with a scoring mechanism. Additional information including a print and play .pdf of the game, a copy of the rules, and an electronic version of the prototype are available in another SDN thread linked below. Feel free to check it out and let me know your thoughts:


Thanks!

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Good question Rockinacoustic.

I've never played Defenders of Soma, but I've looked over the instructions and actually spoken with one of its creators, Dr. Arun Mathews (who also happens be a very nice guy). From what I understand while Defenders of Soma is heavy on the science, it seeks to create broader appeal through an additional heavy focus on theme. Where the two collide the science is sometimes simplified. Not to say the science is sometimes wrong -- from the instructions I see no evidence of that and I got no impression from Dr. Matthews that he would make such compromises -- just that it seeks to be a fun game that will also happen to teach you a little bit about antibiotics rather than a game whose primary focus is on the teaching.

Pharmageddon on the other hand is much more focused on the educational aspect. Not to say it is not enjoyable as well -- I think it can be exactly that -- but because the medicine is so front and center if you aren't interested in learning antibiotics it probably won't work for you. It doesn't seek broad appeal. Which is why I am sharing it on medical and pharmaceutical message boards! 😀 I think compared to other similar games, though, Defenders of Soma included, the depth of information is far greater such that you won't learn just the simple facts you can find and memorize in any study guide. You can learn antibiotic coverage and resistance on a significantly deeper level.

Don't take my word for it, though, take a look at the linked thread's Print and Play and let me know!
 
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A 1 player mode is now available for trying out. It and some new Patient and Event cards are available in the Print n Play file attached to the original post linked at the top of this thread. Here's a brief summary of game play for the 1 player mode:
  • Most rules and cards play the same
  • Players still play with a 3 x 3 Bug Card grid
  • Game play is now, however, a test of survival against a slowly increasing microbe horde
  • Choose your level of difficulty to determine beginning Bug Card deck size
  • Use timely 1 player bonuses to recover precious Life
  • Survive enough rounds to come out on top
As always let me know your thoughts!
 
Update! A few new tweaks and additions including (1) Antibiotic Police Bug cards, (2), an advanced scoring option for those who want to play not only an effective card but the BEST card, and (3) simple player sheets to keep track of the score easier.

Check out the original post linked atop the page to see more. Thanks.
 
Update! Added a third playing mode: 2 player co-op.

It's basically a hybrid of the multiplayer and solo modes, but players will work together to slay the bacterial beasts instead of against each other. Draw and play Drug Cards to keep the various Bug Cards at bay while keeping healthy Flora and Health life trackers. If a player runs out of life or the team gets overrun by microbes then that could be the end.

Uses the same card decks as before, but the new Instructions can be downloaded at the top of the primary thread. Thanks!
 
Update: Hoping to move towards production of a professional product in 2021. Budgeting, finding manufacturers and distributors, and talking with artists. Any additional feedback or suggestions regarding game design or play testing is always appreciated in the mean time. The Print n' Play .pdfs and Tabletopia free online versions have also been updated. Pharmageddon can be played remotely by anyone with the link, no account needed. I'm also happy to walk anyone through a game as well. 😀


Thanks!
 
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