Scientific accuracy

[Great Memes Immortal Venerable]

So what I'm interested in learning, from those who have the game, is just how scientifically accurate is this game? I'd be really interested in playing a sim that pays attention to at least the basics of immunology and microbiology.

[The Toblin]

I seem to remember NDemic posting a blog about this. Check out www.ndemiccreations.com and search for the blog. There might be something in there. I know he held a few seminars at the CDC.

[Viz]

It is like 80% accurate :)

[Satoru]

It models your typical R-0 transmission rate. From there the infection rate varies from country to country based on climate, rich/poor, urban/rural etc.

Not sure how 'scientifically accurate' you really want it. Note that there is a 'zombie virus' so I mean 'accuracy' is kidna relative :P

[theking2]

It has a nice soundtrack, kills the entire population. It must be accurate!

But I strongly believe that a thing like this might happen. Obviously doctors do wash there hands.

[60]

Originally posted by Satoru:

It models your typical R-0 transmission rate. From there the infection rate varies from country to country based on climate, rich/poor, urban/rural etc.

Not sure how 'scientifically accurate' you really want it. Note that there is a 'zombie virus' so I mean 'accuracy' is kidna relative :P

It can be discussed how accurate the climate, rich/poor, urban/rural classifications are.

[serebix]

I work on a daily basis with viruses at a lab and I can say it has some nice aspects, but it's more arcade then a simulation ;)
Nevertheless some parts are quite accurate (like the symptomes and ways of infection).

[TheSoundOfTrees]

The most inaccurate aspects in my opinion : first, evolution does not make "plans" as we, players, do. Second, and it's the most important, I think : a whole population of germs won't evolve en masse, all of them acquiring the new trait simultaneously. Each evolution would in fact be a new germ who has to spread again from patient zero ...

[*GRExENs]

Maybe this can let us in daily life to prevent disease

[Cryptic]

Originally posted by serebix:

I work on a daily basis with viruses at a lab and I can say it has some nice aspects, but it's more arcade then a simulation ;)
Nevertheless some parts are quite accurate (like the symptomes and ways of infection).

It's unrealistic but has some things that are realistic.

[意気消沈]

The term "scientifically accurate" can not be used. It's a game, not a simulation program. Granted, the devs took a lot of inspiration from "real stuff" so to say, but... it doesn't work that way. By comparison, this game is as realistic as most gunfights are in action movies. Huge flashes, suppressors turning the bang to an almost inaudible "pop" sound... nope.

Still this game could spark some curiosity and get people interested in how these things actually work, but I think it's safe to assume they'd end up scrounging Wikipedia and reading things they wouldn't understand - with references to scientific publications which they'd understand even less (and couldn't access unless willing to pay a substantial subscription that is), hell it's my work and sometimes NBT issues give me a headache.

Now don't get me wrong, it's still a great game. and it being far from scientifically accurate doesn't deter me from enjoying it - it's actually the only game I have installed on my phone. And I'm usually easily irritated about all things unrealistic/redundant/uncorrect. But this, this is a little pearl of a game that manages even a fastidious biochemist such as myself to spend hundred of hours on it - I only have about a hundred hours on Steam, but I'm positive I spent at least 500 hours on the mobile version. No better way to stomach customer calls than by pretending to be listening to them whilst playing Plague Inc. instead, I assure you. Just don't do that unless the only person who can fire you is yourself.

[Rex]

It's not a simulator if that's what you are asking. As for accurate, it probably isn't that easy to infect the entire world with these various plagues as this game suggests with modern technology and medicines. Zombies, for example, wouldn't make it outside of a country with modern military technology.

[76561198123023651]

Originally posted by TLEGManagarmr:

I seem to remember NDemic posting a blog about this. Check out www.ndemiccreations.com and search for the blog. There might be something in there. I know he held a few seminars at the CDC.

The best thing to read about the talk James did at the CDC is in this blog: http://blogs.cdc.gov/publichealthmatters/2013/04/plague-inc/ It was definitely a very cool thing to do!

In terms of scientific accuracy, it's a pretty fine balance of science and 'fun' / good gameplay. For example - the cure being almost instantly available worldwide is an obvious simplification, just because it wouldn't be fun for the player to be in a drawn-out situation where there are almost certain to lose.

You can read more about Plague Inc. being used in an educational context here too: http://www.ndemiccreations.com/en/news/88-guest-blog-plague-inc-educating-through-infection