The Histologist

By Krystal-Flora Dureke, Susie Hammons, Leah Balsan, and Alex McDonough

Created for BVIS 536: Serious Game Development, Spring 2023

Histology is a branch of biology, where different stains can be utilized to highlight certain tissue types or other microscopic structures. “The Histologist” is an educational desktop game intended to teach beginner histology students or undergraduates about six common histology stains – hematoxylin and eosin(H&E), azan, wright’s, toluidine blue, cresyl violet, and phosphotungstic acid hematoxylin (PTAH) – by likening the process of staining to that of potions and elixirs. Upon starting the game, the player is shown a large tarot card revealing a prompt along with corresponding stain image divination in a crystal ball. Based on the information given, the player must drag the correct stain bottle to the cauldron in order to match it to the prompt and stain image provided. The vial slider to the left of the screen keeps track of the player’s progress: correct answers fill the vial one by one, while incorrect answers drain it. To win, the player must get six consecutive answers correct.