The Great Flu Game

Concern about the worldwide spread of H1N1 has sparked many creative approaches to capture the world’s attention and provide helpful information to encourage prevention and intervention.


Dutch researchers have created a free computer game which illustrates potential dangers by challenging players to control a pandemic. As the head of the fictitious "World Pandemic Control," players pick a flu strain, and then monitor that strain's spread around the world. They set up surveillance systems, stock pile antivirals and vaccines, and decide whether to close public facilities. Players must also consider existing health budgets and political implications. Simulated news clippings appear and provide additional information.

It is actually what is happening now, what is happening in the real world," said Albert Osterhaus, head of virology at the Erasmus Medical Center, who designed 'The Great Flu' game with colleagues.

While the game does have weak points, it is certainly worth a second click. And, it provides a look into a growing genre, namely serious games for health which cover complex health topics through game-play strategies that lead to stealth learning opportunities.

I hope developers will see fit to fill in a bit more "behind-the-scences" information to give the player and the reviewer more guidance, more history and more assurance that this is a product based on good science.

See the game and give it a try at: http://www.thegreatflu.com/