Plague Inc. developer Ndemic Creations is in the midst of creating a game mode where players can save the world from a disease outbreak. The development team was asked about creating such a mode during discussions meant to arrange a $250,000 donation split between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), according to the company's news release yesterday.
The donation and subsequent game mode being made with WHO experts, as well as the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, come in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic that has led to shutdowns across the world. In the announcement, the Plague Inc. team says they have been working hard to support global response efforts and made the donation on behalf of the game's player base.
James Vaughan, the creator of Plague Inc., is quoted in the announcement saying, "Eight years ago, I never imagined the real world would come to resemble a game of Plague Inc. or that so many people would be using [it] to help them get through an actual pandemic." He says the team is proud to support "vital" organizations working toward a vaccine, and similar donations have been made in recent weeks by other members of the gaming community such as Fortnite streamer Tyler "Ninja" Blevins.
Ndemic Creations has also promoted a COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for WHO which will be further advertised in-game. The UN Foundation's President and CEO Elizabeth Cousens applaud them for supporting "the World Health Organization's lifesaving work" during an "unprecedented pandemic." Plague Inc.'s developers put out another statement in January commenting on their site being down because of high traffic following the initial outbreak.
The game has been used for educational purposes in the past. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, is quoted in Ndemic's announcement saying "games have an important role in raising awareness of the challenges the world is currently facing." Sales of Plague Inc. spiked in China, where the outbreak began, before it was banned from the App Store by the Chinese government.
Ndemic Creations' donation and relief fund promotion will no doubt be a huge help to all those working at the front lines finding a cure for the current coronavirus pandemic. With game developers increasingly working from home, events like E3 being canceled, and communities all over the world staying at home to self-quarantine and prevent the spread of disease, it's good to see positive news.
Plague Inc. is currently available on mobile devices, PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
Source: Ndemic Creations, COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, WHO, CEPI