Plague Inc: Evolved

Plagueincevolved logo

Plague Inc: Evolved is a real-time strategy, simulation video game developed and published by Ndemic Creations. The game is a remake of the original Plague Inc., which was released in 2012 for mobile devices. Plague Inc: Evolved features improved graphics, more detailed gameplay mechanics, and additional content not found in the original game. It was released on Steam for PC, Mac, and Linux in February 2014, and later for Xbox One in September 2015, and for PlayStation 4 in May 2016.

Gameplay

In Plague Inc: Evolved, players create and evolve a pathogen in an effort to annihilate the human population with a deadly pandemic. The game combines high strategy with terrifyingly realistic simulation. Players can choose from several types of pathogens, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, which include bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, prions, nano-viruses, and bio-weapons. The game is set in a realistic world with countries, cities, and a variety of environmental conditions that affect the spread and severity of the disease.

Players must manage their pathogen's evolution by choosing traits and abilities that allow it to spread in different environments, resist treatments, and overcome the various defense mechanisms of humanity. The game challenges players with real-world strategies used to control epidemics, such as quarantine, public awareness campaigns, and the development of vaccines.

Development and Release

Plague Inc: Evolved was developed by Ndemic Creations, a studio founded by James Vaughan, the original creator of Plague Inc.. The game was designed to be a more immersive and expanded version of the original, taking advantage of the capabilities of more powerful hardware to enhance graphics and gameplay depth. The development team focused on incorporating feedback from the community of the original game to improve features and add new content.

The game was initially released in Early Access on Steam in February 2014, allowing the developers to refine the game with community feedback before its full release. Plague Inc: Evolved officially left Early Access and was fully released in February 2016. The game has received several updates and expansions since its release, adding new disease types, scenarios, and gameplay features.

Reception

Plague Inc: Evolved has been praised for its engaging gameplay, strategic depth, and educational value in understanding the complexities of disease spread and pandemic management. Critics have lauded the game for its challenging scenarios and the ability to simulate a wide range of epidemic outcomes based on player decisions. However, some have criticized it for potentially trivializing the serious subject matter of pandemics.

Impact

The game gained renewed attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many drawing parallels between the game's simulation of a global pandemic and the real-world crisis. Ndemic Creations responded by donating a significant sum to the COVID-19 relief efforts and adding a new game mode that focuses on stopping a pandemic rather than creating one. This move was widely praised for raising awareness and educating players about the importance of disease control and prevention.

See Also

• Simulation video games
• Real-time strategy games
• Pandemic board game
• Epidemiology