Strategy simulation game Plague Inc. has been suddenly pulled from the app store in China. The ban has been enforced by the Chinese government following a recent surge in popularity for the title.
While the expanded version of the game available on Nintendo Switch and other platforms worldwide naturally remains unaffected, the developer responsible for both editions, Ndemic Creations, has issued a statement on the matter. It notes that it is actively working to find a solution to the takedown, suggesting that the ongoing coronavirus may be to blame, and that it will continue to "support and update" all versions of the game, presumably including the one on Switch:
We have some very sad news to share with our China based players. We've just been informed that Plague Inc. “includes content that is illegal in China as determined by the Cyberspace Administration of China” and has been removed from the China App Store. This situation is completely out of our control...
It’s not clear to us if this removal is linked to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak that China is facing. However, Plague Inc.’s educational importance has been repeatedly recognised by organisations like the CDC and we are currently working with major global health organisations to determine how we can best support their efforts to contain and control COVID-19.
We are working very hard to try and find a way to get the game back in the hands of Chinese players - we don’t want to give up on you - however, as a tiny independent games studio in the UK, the odds are stacked against us. Our immediate priority is to try and make contact with the Cyberspace Administration of China to understand their concerns and work with them to find a resolution.
Nothing is changing outside of mainland China: we will continue to support and update both Plague Inc. and our newest game Rebel Inc. on all platforms whilst also working hard to try and find a way to bring Plague Inc. back to players in China.
The game itself has players making up and evolving a pathogen in an attempt to wipe out the human race with a deadly plague. While that description alone paints a pretty bad picture in light of recent events, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has actually praised the series in the past, saying that it "creates a compelling world that engages the public on serious public health topics".
It's unlikely that any similar takedowns will occur on Switch or other platforms, but it's worth noting that the game is still available to download from the eShop and is still fully playable for users who have already downloaded it. Ndemic Creations has previously stated that players shouldn't rely on the game to learn about the coronavirus or any deadly diseases.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 38
there is a good chance it was banned because of the chances of it potentially causing fear because of its theme.
China being China again
When it comes to people losing their lives to this virus, I totally understand why you wouldn’t want a piece of popular culture making light of the situation. No different when they ban terrorism films after terrorist attacks, or how they banned a bunch of songs on the radio that connected to flying or falling or buildings after 9/11.
I personally think it’s the respectful thing to do, if only until the situation is solved.
This situation really sucks and I pray for the people in China right now, but we all know in a few years the Chinese government will deny it ever happened, or blame it on something unrelated
Lol that's crazy
@MrGawain What about the people who make light of the situation in order to cope?
@Kalmaro
Does playing a video game about people dying in an epidemic really make life easier for someone when people are dying in an epidemic?
To be fair, it’s a bit poor taste in the circumstances. Banning it is a tad extreme but China seem to like a good ban.
@MrGawain I wouldn't know personally, but I know of people who play games or joke about stuff they've gone through as a way to cope. Comedians sometimes base their entire shtick on it.
Not everyone copes the same way, is my point. I don't think it's fair to limit everyone on how they handle things.
On the brink of a pandemic, you'd think the chinese government would have something better to do.
@MrGawain - Really going to doubt that China will unban a thing that "mocks" a situation.
I believe they booted a game, many years back, for being too Tiananmen Square too. No "rise up" style games at all in China.
@MrGawain Plaque Inc has been around for years. It wasn't banned during the H1N1, MERS, SARS, Swine Flu epidemics in China.
I also don't remember any terrorist films stopped, or songs being pulled from the radio.
Maybe instead of engaging in scapegoating practices, China can focus on an actual virus. Not a virtual one.
Flight Simulator banned due to a plane crash, shooters banned due to a shooting, driving games banned to a car crash... nothing would surprise me anymore
@HobbitGamer To be fair, all of those epidemics happened either before Plague Inc came out or never was a major problem in the region. (Also H1N1 and Swine Flu are the same thing)
@HobbitGamer
Some examples, but there is a lot more.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/nov/16/film-french-terror-cell-called-off-paris-attacks-made-in-france
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_memorandum
I do wonder, are they going to ban Resident Evil 3 remake as well?
.....yes, banning a game will totally make the situation much better now.
There's a difference between a creator taking something offline for respect's sake voluntarily. For instance, when Death Road to Canada's Switch port got delayed after a Canadian terror attack.
And a hugely authoritarian government peddling censorship like this. Simply the Chinese government trying to tighten its already steel grip on its oppressed people who are suffering their own real life Plague Inc because the communists were too worried about social stability than to actually properly respond to the outbreak. And now we're 80k cases later, next to zero containment, and they're banning video games. Thanks for nothing Xi...
PS: Censorship is evil and ineffective.
@ryando not everyone working for the government works for the infectious disease or healthcare system. We all have our pets to play. The division responsible for something like this does this for a living, full time.
@willi3su Agreed, I never think banning is a good idea. I think we never give people enough credit in difficult situations like this. Do we think people can't separate a game from real life?
This appears to be part of a much bigger conversation of what should be allowed in polite society that might cause emotional stress on some part of the population but I don't want to go there right now so hopefully, we can just agree that banning from a big centralized government is not a great thing.
I have this on my phone, love and have nearly 100% it. Just got it on Switch as I’ve been debating it. Time to show some love in a troubled time.... heart goes out to those in China, and everywhere the virus has effected people.
@PBandSmelly Pray for the people not in China too it is spreading pretty well it seems.
This reminds me of when they banned/cancelled some flight games right after 9/11
Plague Inc was actually the first thing I thought of when when I heard about Covid-19 🤔
Poor Chinese gamers
Fool, you can't stop a virus by banning games.
Only Greenland can do that.
@DarkKirby Curious, what did Greenland do?
China is in a dangerous state of authoritarian suppression.
@MayroMake Greenland in the game is notoriously hard to infect due to limited travel and extreme cold.
I haven't gotten confirmation yet, but I've heard rumors China has also banned the games "Muslim Inc" and "Tibet Inc"
Absolutely ridiculous... just gives more reasons to hate China’s government...
@MrGawain yes i laugh at it
The first step in finding a cure for any disease is to ban video games. It means scientists can now concentrate on their work in the lab instead of wasting precious time with a joystick in hand...
And to those praying for the people affected, if you really think prayers help, then please pray for no more disease - it seems the sensible thing to do. As an atheist, I'll continue to donate money to assist how I can.
No surprise there. Typical Chinese censorship.
Kay sera sera.
@willi3su There's a difference between a creator taking something offline for respect's sake voluntarily. For instance, when Death Road to Canada's Switch port got delayed after a Canadian terror attack.
And a hugely authoritarian government peddling censorship like this. Simply the Chinese government trying to tighten its already steel grip on its oppressed people who are suffering their own real life Plague Inc because the communists were too worried about social stability than to actually properly respond to the outbreak. And now we're 80k cases later, next to zero containment, and they're banning video games. Thanks for nothing Xi...
PS: Censorship is evil and ineffective.
Right oh any form of Censorship no matter what excuses made aren't just ineffective. But one has to remember those making Censorship aren't censoring themselves at all themselves hypocrites in-return.
@MrGawain Screw censorship, of any kind, ever.
People who don't want to play Plague Inc. right now aren't being forced to. No reason to ban anything.
Also, the government didn't ban any songs from playing after 9/11. It was Clear Channel (iHeartRadio) that made the decision to stop playing certain songs on their radio stations.
I doubt that's how the virus spreads but if Pooh Bear says so I guess it has to be true.
Ha ha , oh dear. Surely it can be fixed with tiger penis soup???
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