Two Saudi students, Kayan Al-Rwaili and Jameela Al-Huwaydi, have won Roblox’s nationwide Play to Learn competition with their educational game, Glitch: Parallel Reactions, which transforms chemistry lessons into an interactive fantasy adventure. The contest, held earlier this year, was organized by Roblox in partnership with Savvy Games Group and Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Education.

Selected from over 155,000 submissions by more than 700,000 students across the Kingdom, Glitch: Parallel Reactions will be developed further for the Roblox Learning Hub and made available globally. The game centers on a student named Badr who is transported through his classroom blackboard into a world where players must solve chemical equations and defeat creatures inspired by chemistry concepts to progress.

Al-Rwaili described the competition as an inspiring experience that helped her discover creative talents and develop original ideas. She emphasized the importance of designing the game to make chemistry accessible and engaging, especially since many students find the subject challenging. “If we make that enjoyment part of a game, it becomes really engaging,” she said, highlighting the educational benefits of using games to teach not only academic content but also problem-solving and life skills.

Al-Rwaili also noted that her perspective on educational games shifted during the project. Prior to participating, she believed there were few educational games available, but the experience led her to appreciate their potential for effective learning.

Al-Huwaydi, whose interest in game development began at a young age through exploring Minecraft, said balancing fun and educational value was the main challenge in creating Glitch: Parallel Reactions. She sees education as a process that extends beyond conventional methods, advocating for interactive and experiential learning to enhance knowledge acquisition.

Throughout the development process, Al-Huwaydi gained skills beyond technology, including idea organization, teamwork, creative thinking, and project management. She also views emerging technologies like artificial intelligence as valuable tools that can support and enhance educational content. Looking ahead, she expressed hope that future iterations of the game might incorporate AI features tailored to individual learners’ needs.

The success of Glitch: Parallel Reactions demonstrates the potential for student-led innovation in educational technology and reflects Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to engage youth in digital learning initiatives.