Ebola outbreak sparks 50% rise in Plague Inc downloads

Sales of Ndemic Creations’ Plague Inc rose by 50 per cent in October as the Ebola outbreak continues to spread and dominate the news.

Though the deadly virus has claimed thousands of lives and has sparked concerns across the world amidst continued efforts to contain it, consumers’ disturbing fascination with the strain has increased sales of the UK-developed title, which tasks players with spreading a disease around the world.

Last week Plague Inc downloads rose by 147,000 than two weeks earlier, an increase of 50 per cent. The total number of players also grew to four million, rising by nearly one million from two weeks prior.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, developer James Vaughan, who released the game over two years ago, said he wants to donate a portion of profits to charity to fight ebola and help victims.

“There will be people queuing up to say it’s a cash grab, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Vaughan.

“It would be infinitely better if the Ebola outbreak had never happened at all, but I want to use the position that Plague Inc has to try and help in whatever way I can.”