A free online game that simulates health-research projects in a virtual world aims to give players a taste of what it is like to be a scientist. In Power of Research (http://www.powerofresearch.eu), launched on 23 February by Biolution, a life-sciences consultancy in Vienna, players imitate the life of a researcher by choosing an institute and research topic, preparing for experiments, applying for funding, seeking staff, publishing results, attending conferences and collaborating with others. They need to be good at negotiation and time management. As players improve, they can win awards or become an institute leader. The game was developed with a €617,000 (US$849,000) grant from the European Commission (EC), and is based on actual institutes and projects in the EC's research funding programme.