Discover how a small indie studio created one of mobile gaming's most influential strategy titles
Plague Inc. flips the conventional gaming narrative on its head. Rather than playing as humanity's saviour, you take on the role of a pathogen striving to bring about human extinction. This innovative premise combines strategic depth with an eerily realistic disease simulation.
Your microscopic organism starts with Patient Zero, and from there, you must carefully evolve and adapt your plague to spread across the entire globe while staying ahead of scientific countermeasures designed to stop you.
The game challenges players to think critically about transmission vectors, symptom evolution, and environmental resistance — all while racing against the clock as humanity scrambles to develop a cure.
The talented team that brought this pandemic simulation to life
Founded by James Vaughan, Ndemic Creations is an independent game studio based in the United Kingdom. The company was established with the singular vision of creating Plague Inc., which launched in 2012 and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon.
The studio's commitment to scientific accuracy caught the attention of major health organisations. The developer was invited to present at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, where they discussed the disease models integrated into the game.
During the global health events of recent years, Ndemic Creations partnered with the World Health Organisation to create "Plague Inc: The Cure" — an expansion that lets players experience the opposite perspective: saving humanity rather than destroying it.
The studio has since expanded their portfolio with Rebel Inc., another strategic simulation focused on post-conflict stabilisation, continuing their tradition of creating thoughtful, educational entertainment.
A decade of continuous innovation and growth
Plague Inc. launches on iOS, quickly climbing to #1 in the App Store charts across multiple countries.
The game expands to Android platform, reaching millions of new players worldwide.
First major expansion introduces mind-controlling parasites with unique victory conditions.
Developer invited to present at Centers for Disease Control about the game's epidemiological models.
Nominated for Standout Indie at the inaugural Google Play Awards ceremony.
In partnership with WHO, launch of The Cure mode letting players save humanity instead.
Plague Inc. reaches the milestone of 100 million downloads across all platforms.
Understanding the core mechanics that make Plague Inc. so compelling
Choose which nation your pathogen will emerge from. Each starting location offers unique advantages and challenges based on climate, population density, and healthcare infrastructure.
As your disease spreads and claims victims, you earn DNA points — the currency for evolving new traits, symptoms, and abilities to make your pathogen more deadly.
Balance infectivity against lethality. Become too deadly too quickly, and you'll eliminate hosts before spreading. Stay too mild, and humanity will develop a cure.
Victory comes when the final human falls. But beware — remote islands, cold climates, and wealthy nations pose unique challenges that require careful planning.
Awards and media coverage highlighting the game's impact
Experience this award-winning strategy simulation for yourself
