Plague Inc. announces mode where players save the world from a pandemic Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Plague Inc. announces mode where players save the world from a pandemic And makes $250k donation towards fighting COVID-19. News by Emma Kent Contributor Updated on 24 Mar 2020 14 comments Plague Inc., the game where the main aim is to spread a plague around the world, is feeling a little close to home right now: but it seems a change in objective is on the way, as developer Ndemic Creations is working on a new game mode where players save the world. Oh, and it's making a cool $250k (around £213k) donation towards fighting the current coronavirus outbreak. Announced via blog post, Plague Inc. creator James Vaughan said that eight years ago, he "never imagined the world would come to resemble a game of Plague Inc. or that so many players would be using Plague Inc. to get them through an actual pandemic. "We are proud to be able to help support the vital work of the WHO and CEPI as they work towards finding a vaccine for COVID-19." If you're wondering exactly what those organisations are, the 250k is being split between the Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (a foundation that helps finance research for vaccines), and the World Health Organisation's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. Anyone can donate to the latter, which is currently helping the WHO track and understand the virus, get supplies to frontline workers, and accelerate efforts to create vaccines, tests and treatments. As for the new game mode, Ndemic Creations explained this came about after it was "repeatedly asked if we could make a game which let the player work to stop an outbreak". It's now accelerating work on a new update which allows players to save the world from a deadly pandemic. "Players will have to balance managing disease progression and boosting healthcare systems as well as controlling real-world actions such as triaging, quarantining, social distancing and closing of public services," the blog post explained. "We are developing this game mode with the help of experts from the World Health Organisation, the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network and more." Even better yet, the update will be free for all Plague Inc. players during the coronavirus pandemic. As of yet there's no release date for the new mode, but Ndemic Creations will share more information soon. The reverse of this, basically. Recently Plague Inc. was subject to an effective ban in China after it was removed from both Steam and the iOS Store for containing "illegal content" (something the Cyberspace Administration of China did not fully explain). Before that point, it had become incredibly popular in China as the country's citizens sought to understand the outbreak, to the extent Ndemic Creations had to warn players it was "a game, not a scientific model". Outside of China, perhaps the new game mode can at least provide some comfort to players as we all wait for the outbreak to be controlled. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 59 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store