With the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Plague Inc. shot to the top of the Apple App Store charts in China. It’s a completely predictable outcome when you think about it. The game’s creators even told gamers to not take it as a serious source of information. Now, though, it looks like the game won’t be available in China. At least, not for Apple users in the country.
VentureBeat reports that makers of the game, Ndemoc Creations, were in formed that the game “includes content that is illegal in China as determined by the Cyberspace Administration of China“. Oddly enough, Plague Inc is still available via its Steam page in China.
We’re really sad to announce that Plague Inc. has been removed from the China App Store. This is completely out of our control and we are working to find a way to bring the game back to our players in China. Our statement here: https://t.co/oYkHHkMbgw pic.twitter.com/5wQ93NsCKw
— Plague Inc. / Rebel Inc. (@NdemicCreations) February 27, 2020
As for what exactly about the game is illegal, it remains unknown to all but the Cyberspace Administration. Though VentureBeat speculates that it may be because the virus in the game always starts in China. The outlet also reports that Plague Inc. now has a “fake news” mode, in addition to the addition of anti-vaxxers from back in March last year.
For now, Ndemic Creations is getting in touch with the Cyberspace Administration to find out what exactly it finds illegal in Plague Inc. Though the devs do provide a disclaimer that reads “as a tiny independent games studio in the UK, the odds are stacked against us”.
For those who are not in China, Plague Inc. remains available on all platforms the game is already on. The other game by the devs, Rebel Inc., also remains available on all platforms in and outside of the country.
(Source: Ndemic Creations via VentureBeat)
