Skip to main content
Centre for Innovation & Consultation

Germs Eradication Mission for Education (GErMiE) Mobile Game App for Edutainment and Game-based Learning

Dr Nur Azzalia Kamaruzaman, Pusat Racun Negara, USM

Sazaroni Md Rashid, Pusat Racun Negara, USM

Sulastri Samsudin, Pusat Racun Negara, USM

Nur Afni Amir, Pusat Racun Negara, USM

Khairil Anwar bin Jusoh, Pusat Pengetahuan dan Komunikasi Teknologi, USM

Ts. Dr. Sharifah Mashita Syed Mohamad, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

Dr. Nor Asniza binti Ishak Pusat Pengajian Ilmu Pendidikan, USM

Mahiya Nabila Rosaria Abdul Hamid, Pusat Racun Negara, USM

Mohd Fadhli bin Razali, Pusat Racun Negara, USM

Rosman bin Ahmad, Pusat Racun Negara, USM

GErMiE (Germs Eradication Mission for Education) mobile game app is an interactive multimedia game with health information such as importance of maintaining good hygiene, clean drinking water, good and healthy lifestyle to prevent unwanted infection of bacteria and rational use of antibiotics, incorporated into the game to make learning more fun and enjoyable.

Its goal is to educate children in support of global and national efforts  to slow the emergence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria (AMR). The app aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 and the Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (MyAP-AMR) 2017-2021.

The game has an adventurous educational genre whereby the player aids the main character by collecting healthy food, sanitizing areas to prevent bacterial growth, and promoting rational antibiotic use to educate people. After each level, a quiz tests the player's knowledge of antibiotics and AMR, with correct answers adding points to their final score.

GErMiE is designed for children but can also appeal to adults and is available on Windows computers and Android mobile devices.

Problem Statement

  • Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat – similar situation  in Malaysia 
  • Malaysians in general lack enough knowledge in health education including the use of antibiotics and AMR.
  • In this current Digital Age, game-based learning (GBL) is a growing movement among educators to integrate educational games into the classroom 
  • GErMiE aims to incorporate education of health, hygiene and AMR into an interactive game to ensure that children can learn through play. 

Novelty and Inventiveness

  • Health information is incorporated into games in an engaging way.
  • Interesting storyline in multiple game levels.
  • Appealing game rules determine overall score at each level.
  • Interesting game graphics: societal & cultural.
  • Audio and music used reinforce actions and emotional tone in the game.

Applicability and Benefits

  • GErMiE addresses limitations in terms of accessibility, inadequate antibiotics knowledge, under-development and lack of interactivity – issues of other games in the market.
  • GErMiE is developed in English, with impact for global distribution.
  • Targets children as users, though its scope can be widened to adults.
  • Creatively designed with complex adventure storyline and multiple game levels.
  • Incorporation of interesting health, hygiene and AMR-related information and challenges into the various plots and tactics of the game.
  • Compatible in both computer and mobile formats.
  • Affordable for everyone, as initial access is free.

Research Achievement

  • Grants type and amount: 
    • Product Innovation Development Grant by USM – RM25,000.
    • International grant by ReAct Uppsala University, Sweden – RM 11,000.
  • Journal/books/magazine/book chapter: 
    • Article submission for Petri Dish Magazine.
  • No of Students fyp/msc/phd: 
    • 1 FYP student.
    • Pilot test conducted among 60 Matriculation students – collaboration with Ministry of Education Malaysia.
  • Others: 
    • Part of the Malaysian Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (MyAP-AMR).
    • Customized exciting merchandise for GErMiE promotional activities.
    • Participation in the KANS competition, which is an international competition for Knowledge Application and Notion for Society.
    • Application for UNESCO Malaysia grant.

Commercialization Potential And Industrial Partner

  • Public-private partnership (3P) through corporate-social responsibility (CSR).
    • In-game advertisement and sponsor splash screen to promote company brands and businesses to players.
    • Google Playstore and Microsoft Store.
  • Selling agent – collaborate with industrial partner (Safis Solution Sdn Bhd) in order to reach crowdsource and potential client. 
  • Social media marketing strategy – create stunning video of the game application and market through video post on social media e.g. Facebook, Youtube, Instagram etc.
  • Licensing.
  • Outright sale.
  • Safis Solution Sdn Bhd.
    • A company specialized in information technology, application and content delivery who also acts as our partner to market GErMiE, selling agent and an expert in this game development.

Intellectual Property Status

  • Type of IP with number.
  • Copyright game content (CRLY2022P03337).

Status of Invention

Technology Readiness Level 6.

Impact of Innovation

  • ACADEMIA: Research, knowledge sharing, education enhancement, innovation promotion and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • ENVIRONMENT: Awareness, behavioral change, collaboration, sustainability and innovation.
  • COMMUNITY: Education, health improvement, social inclusion, community engagement, capacity building.
  • INDUSTRY: Market differentiation, CSR, stakeholder engagement, innovation simulation and brand building.
  • ECONOMY: Job creation, market expansion, cost-saving, competitiveness and multi-stake holder engagement.
Back to Product List