In what could possibly be due to heightened tensions and awareness during the Coronavirus outbreak, China has pulled the game Plague Inc. from its regional App Store. The official reasoning behind this was because the game "includes content that is illegal in China, as determined by the Cyberspace Administration of China". The developers, Ndemic Creations, are attempting to appeal this decision, by contacting the previously mentioned Cyberspace Administration. Previously, Plague Inc. has been on the Chinese App Store for years, making it likely that the removal was due to sensitivity around viruses and pandemics and its relation to current events. In the past few weeks since Coronavirus cases were first diagnosed in China, the game surged in popularity, to which the developer had to issue an official statement stating that while Plague Inc. was made to portray pandemics realistically, it shouldn't be used as a tool to actually measure a real-life disease and how it would spread.

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.



Plague Inc. is a huge critical and commercial success. Eight years old and with over 130 million players, it’s the #1 strategy/simulation game worldwide and has been the most popular paid game in China for many years. Plague Inc. stands out as an intelligent and sophisticated simulation that encourages players to think and learn more about serious public health issues. We have a huge amount of respect for our Chinese players and are devastated that they are no longer able to access and play Plague Inc.



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.



We will share more information about our efforts to support the fight against COVID-19 soon. You can find our statement on the current coronavirus outbreak here.



Chinese translation available here.

Source

 

[Spider_Man]

I take resident evil 3 will be delayed due to corona virus.

 

[Captain_N]

I wonder if those red commies can delete it off of peoples phone. Id fancy that they can.

 

[wartutor]

Final fantasy vii remake postponed due to corona virus. Ps5 and xbox (hell i cant remeber what they want to call it or how the fuck they try to count. Friggin sesame street cant even count they're systems.) Postponed till 2021 and little puppies are past due. What else can we blame on this. Wheres a blood moon when u need one. On a positive side dying light 2 was released ahead of schedule. Damn trump wheres my wall

 

[snobbysteven]

Ooo Oooo conspiracy theory time! The Chinese removed this game, because they are affraid the game will teach the Chinese citizens how to cure the virus(just like in the game), and then the Chinese's plan of unleashing the virus on their own people will be ruined because Pleague Inc tought them how to cure it! 100% facts here folks, do not even question my information, just know it is 100% truth!

 

[Xzi]

I wonder if those red commies can delete it off of peoples phone. Id fancy that they can.

> Second worst wealth and pay inequality in the world, behind only the US
> "Commies"

Rofl.

Anyway, yeah might as well add it to the laundry list of things that the Chinese government censors for their own people. Funny enough, this virus is really pretty weak by Plague Inc standards and would definitely get cured in the game.

 

[Bladexdsl]

Chinese's plan of unleashing the virus on their own people

it's prob true too like some kind of population control

 

[SnakeOil992]

China's government is a bunch of pathetic crooks whose only concern is saving face.

 

[NoNAND]

When you hurt yourself in your confusion.

 

[PatrickD85]

We are all getting carried away with this kind of stuff ...
Not even talking censorship here ... just using common sense.
What's next ... no more selling of titles like Biohazard, Pandemic and so on and so on?

 

[BraveDragonWolf]

Ahhh, I see you don't want to get demonetized on Youtube!

Was actually making a joke referring to the G-Virus from Resident Evil, but I guess everyone tries to make a bad joke here and there...I don't really know...

 

[Viri]

Was actually making a joke referring to the G-Virus from Resident Evil, but I guess everyone tries to make a bad joke here and there...I don't really know...

I know, I was just making a joke also about the fact that Youtube doesn't like Youtubers saying nono words.

 

[Hucz]

Yeah, I'm sure this well help the health and safety of the Chinese citizens living in mainland China.

Would you have the same thought process for radio stations removing songs with guns after school shootings?

 

[Viri]

Would you have the same thought process for radio stations removing songs with guns after school shootings?

If the US gov forced them to do it, then yeah, I would. But, if the radio stations did it them self voluntarily, then mehh, just listen to another radio station.

 

[Hucz]

If the US gov forced them to do it, then yeah, I would. But, if the radio stations did it them self voluntarily, then mehh, just listen to another radio station.

Ok so it being pulled from the app store is not what you're taking exception to, it's because the government pulled it.