Plague Inc: Evolved by Ndemic Creations is set to get an update adding anti-vaxxers into the game thanks to a successful Change.org campaign. The game is a strategy simulation title where you evolve and nurture a harmful disease from its humble Patient Zero origins into a massive global catastrophe.
The petition which was started by Eduard Gabrian who has one simple request. “Add anti-vaxxers as a buff in Plague Inc” because “Anti-Vaxxers are stupid.” Currently the petition has smashed its initial 10,000 signature goal and is sitting at over 20,000 signatures with an ever increasing goal. The petition seems to have worked too, because Ndemic Creations have sent out a few Tweets and it looks like they are on board.
Ok, fine! 😛 If this petition gets to 10k, will add a specific new anti-vaxxer scenario to Plague Inc. https://t.co/DJjmRFpOMa
— Plague Inc. / Rebel Inc. (@NdemicCreations) February 24, 2019
ICYMI: Alright, alright! You spoke, we listened. Neurie’s very happy to hear that we’re going to start figuring out anti-vaxxers soon. He’s dying to try and get inside their heads. https://t.co/fYq09awgJc pic.twitter.com/qxnNQGIV1b
— Plague Inc. / Rebel Inc. (@NdemicCreations) February 26, 2019
It’s interesting that a genuine threat to humanity looks like it will be added to what is typically a fairly light-hearted and fun strategy game. This anti-vaccination trend may be genuinely alarming, although combating it with mockery could prove to be a powerful social tool. There’s no word yet on when the game is set to receive it’s anti-vaxxer update. Plague Inc: Evolved is currently available on PC, Mac, Linux, Android, PS4 and Xbox One.