Anti-Vaxxers Help Wipe Out Humanity Even Faster In A New Addition To ‘Plague Inc’
In a timely example of art imitating life, a video game is adding anti-vaxxers to help players render humans extinct.
Initially released on mobile in 2012, Plague Inc. puts you in control of a disease such as a virus, parasite or fungus. Your mission is to evolve and spread to as many people as possible, with the end goal of infecting the entire world and exterminating of all human life. The game was a success and has since spread to Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC as Plague Inc: Evolved.
Two weeks ago, Eduard Gabrian started a Change.org petition to “add anti-vaxxers as a buff in Plague Inc.” It was an unassuming petition, brief and uncomplicated in its demands. The only text in its description simply reads, “Anti-vaxxers are stupid”. It’s possible the whole endeavour was intended as a joke.
Then, on February 25, Plague Inc. developer Ndemic Creations tweeted out the petition. “If this petition gets to 10k, will add new anti-vaxxer scenario to Plague Inc.” they said, causing an influx of players to add their names to the list.
Sure enough, the very next day, that lofty goal was achieved, and Ndemic Creations was quick to confirm they would uphold their promise.
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/Sof0aJE0yw
— Plague Inc. / Rebel Inc. (@NdemicCreations) February 26, 2019
Though the anti-vaxxer content has been promised, eager players are still signing the petition. It has since collected over twice as many signatures.
In a blog post late last week, developer Ndemic Creations expanded on their decision to include anti-vaxxers in Plague Inc.
“[T]he Science Denial scenario we released last year touched on anti-vaxxers (along with flat earthers and climate change deniers). But recent news makes the whole issue even more important,” wrote Ndemic Creations’ James Vaughan.
“We’re currently working out how Anti-Vaxxers will actually work in the game. We have a few ideas that we’re trying out and running them through our algorithms. (The biggest challenge is that if everyone in Plague Inc.’s global simulation suddenly stopped getting vaccinated then it would be a very easy game to win!)”
This is literally a headline from the news updates in plague inc pic.twitter.com/RSGsnXPREo
— whore (@corner_stoned) February 24, 2019
It isn’t all fun and games, though. Vaughan recognises the serious threat that diseases pose to humanity, and hopes that the inclusion of anti-vaxxers in Plague Inc. will do some small part in educating the populace.
“If adding something to the game helps some people understand the importance of vaccinations then it will be worth it.”