Some gamers think that Insomniac's Spider-Man (PS4) may have accidentally predicted the coronavirus. At the very least, people are starting to notice just how much the game's third act resembles the situation currently plaguing the real world today -- spoiler warning for anyone who has yet to complete it at this point.
To break it down, at the end of the game's 36 story mission, titled "Out of the Frying Pan," Spider-Man fails to stop Doc Ock from freeing the rest of the Sinister Six members from the prison. As a result, Doc Ock proceeds to poison New York with a virus called "Devil's Breath."
The Devil's Breath inflicts its victims with symptoms eerily similar to that of the coronavirus. Most of the individuals that catch it suffer an experience close to that of the flu. Others, however, remain asymptomatic.
The virus is also highly contagious and makes having physical contact with others incredibly dangerous. So much so that the island of Manhattan had to start practicing social isolation. And just like the United States in the real world, New York suffers the brunt of the virus.
The general public of the game also seems to handle their situation pretty much the same way the real world has on social media. One portion makes memes about what's going on, another sends their thoughts and prayers to those affected, and others promote ways people can lend a hand.
News outlets also take a realistic approach to things. Jay Jonah Jameson starts broadcasting warnings and updates that are similar to how news networks are currently covering the coronavirus. Though, JJJ still finds the time to blame Spider-Man for things.
Luckily for the real world, however, it doesn't also have to contend with an all-out war between super villains, criminals, police, and a private militia. There's also no evidence that COVID-19 is a biological weapon. Taking into account the similarities with the game, however, a cure for Devil's Breath was found in the end after a short time had passed. Maybe a treatment for the coronavirus will come around soon, too.
Honestly, the amount of realism Spider-Man managed to capture shows just how high its level of quality is. There are rumors that a Spider-Man sequel is in development, but Sony hasn't announced anything so far. Hopefully, when the next game does arrive, it'll predict something a little less stressful.
Spider-Man released for the PlayStation 4 in September 2018.