MANILA -- Plague Inc., a game that recently went viral amid the global spread of the novel coronavirus or 2019-nCoV, topped Apple's App Store gaming charts as of Thursday.
This, despite reminders from the game developers that the game was "not a scientific model" to follow amid the global outbreak.
The gaming app -- which allows players to create a pathogen in an effort to destroy the world with a deadly plague -- took over the top spot as Apple's "Top Paid" game, followed by NBA 2k20.
UK-based independent games studio Ndemic Creations previously said it has seen a trend in increase of players when a disease spreads across the world.
However, it has also advised against "sensationalizing real-world issues" such as the global spread of the virus and recommended that players get information directly from local and global health authorities.
"We specifically designed the game to be realistic and informative, while not sensationalizing serious real-world issues. This has been recognized by the CDC and other leading medical organizations around the world," the developers said in a statement.
The death toll from the Wuhan coronavirus has jumped past 500 and confirmed infections piled to around 30,000.
Local health authorities have also reiterated that majority of those infected with the virus recover from the illness.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
