They're already starting to turn to simulated universes to study economics and human behavior, and now scientists hope to use online worlds to predict the impact of plagues, too. Epidemiologists first identified the scientific value of these virtual worlds after an imaginary virus began to spread unchecked in the popular online game World of Warcraft.
In 2005, programmers released a contagious disease called "Corrupted Blood" into a new zone in the game. At first, the disease effected some players, while others shrugged it off. But then it began to spread, both through avatars - virtual versions of real world people - and their pets. The game's overlords, Blizzard Entertainment, actually had to shut down World of Warcraft and re-boot the system to get things running normally again.
Scientists who study these problems in the real world typically deal in mathematical simulations, but the World of Warcraft case presented an opportunity to study the behavioral side of plagues, too. If epidemiologists can get a better idea of how people might react in such situations, they may be able to build stronger models, which will in turn help them predict what would happen in the real world. A group of scientists is in talks with Blizzard to see how they can work together in the future.—Gregory Mone
I would think that Linden (Second Life) would be a better place to experiment with viritual viruses than WoW.
Posted by: Big G Makes WoW Gold | December 10, 2007 at 11:02 PM
amazing, I don't think they can do that in world of warcraft :-)
Posted by: WoW Guide Lover | April 11, 2008 at 05:22 PM
That is very interesting. I knew there had been some studies done on the economics of MMORPG's but not plagues. Amazing stuff.
Posted by: click hear | April 16, 2008 at 10:54 PM
Hello, Thank you for this information, keep up the good work!
Posted by: Curtis Dawson | June 17, 2008 at 06:43 PM
That's very interesting actually, it's funny that they had the idea to actually release a virus. In the real world however, it would be pure chaos.
Posted by: Marc | September 20, 2009 at 10:34 PM
On second thought, I bet most of those addicted wow players went crazy trying to rid their characters of the disease, much like the real world.
Marc,
http://www.wowgoldbook.com/
Posted by: Marc | September 20, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I love this game. This is a great article. Thanks!
Posted by: wow gold guide lover | December 14, 2009 at 12:38 PM
One word: love it. OK 2 words.
Posted by: strategy guide fan | January 17, 2010 at 01:31 PM
It's good to know that the World of Warcraft case presented an opportunity to study the behavioral side of plagues.
Luke
Posted by: harter jet | March 04, 2010 at 01:51 PM
I always thought Wow was a great place to experiment. I mean people are totally free to be themselves without having to face social norms. Some people really show their true colors. But this virus thing, I dunno, seems like it has a potential to damage equipment.
Just my two cents though. :D
Cheers!
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Posted by: cialis | April 26, 2010 at 04:55 PM
i wonder what useful findings can they really find out... yeah, i'm sarcastic. just study the real world
Posted by: wow gold guide | May 13, 2010 at 09:57 AM
Ooo WOW that sound like something...
I think that you can learn a lot about human behavior from online games.
Just look at the WOW Auction House and all you can learn from it in comper to the stoc market...
Posted by: WOW Gold maker | May 26, 2010 at 09:15 AM
It is funny that they released a virus in World of Warcraft
Posted by: World of Warcraft Gold making guide | June 23, 2010 at 06:02 PM
Just around the corner! We finally are going in to a new virtual world. with food, sex and online jobs! only part of the body lef will be the brain!
Posted by: secret gold guide | July 26, 2010 at 08:19 PM
It is not difficult to introduce the virus but difficult is how to spread it among people, What should be the reason that one will suffer such virus.
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