ABSTRACT COMPILATION - EduGC 2025

8 / 87 ABSTRACT: Bacterial infection is a fundamental topic taught in the Pharmacy programme. Students learn that antibiotics are mainstay of treatment for bacterial infections; these drugs work by either killing bacteria or inhibiting their growth. Selecting the right antibiotic depends on several factors: the type of bacteria involved, the infection site, patient’s health status, and bacterial susceptibility. Germzilla: Battle of the Bugs is an interactive educational game designed to transform how students grasp these complex concepts. One of the major challenges learners faces is mastering the differences between antibiotic classes, their mechanisms of action, and how bacteria develop resistance. Many also struggle to apply this knowledge in real-life scenarios, especially when making therapeutic decisions based on patient-specific factors and laboratory results. This game reimagines learning in a medieval fantasy setting where antibiotics take on the roles of unique characters (like Knight Penicillin and Iron Giant Meropenem), and players must deploy them to capture invading "bugs" across three levels of increasing difficulty. These levels align with core learning outcomes (CLOs) covering antibiotic classification, patient-specific therapeutic decisions, and pharmaceutical care planning. But Germzilla isn’t just about winning levels. It carries a critical real -world message: misusing antibiotics is dangerous. Inappropriate choices can fuel antibiotic resistance, making common infections harder or even impossible to treat. By simulating these consequences through the reward system, the game instills a sense of accountability and reinforces the principles of antimicrobial stewardship. By turning a fact-heavy subject into an immersive, story-driven experience, Germzilla enhances memory, encourages critical thinking, and supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being. Though originally developed for pharmacy students, the game holds broader relevance for future doctors, pharmacists, nurses, medical lab technologists, and anyone involved in infection control and responsible antibiotic use.