Game Theory: How WoW Almost Prevented the Coronavirus Crisis! (World of Warcraft)

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Years ago now, World of Warcraft had an event that changed the landscape of the ENTIRE game for the players. Hundreds of thousands of skeletons littered the cities, all player characters who had perished to what was called the "corrupted blood plague". Now, some experts are saying that they could have used this event to better understand how viral pandemics spread in societies and how individuals react. What I want to know is, could this historic WoW moment have helped prevent the spread of our current pandemic? Let's find out!
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#WorldOfWarcraft #WoW #WoWClassic #Shadowlands #BlizzCon #Coronavirus #Pandemic #Theory #GameTheory #Matpat
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Credits:
Writers: Stephanie Patrick and Justin Kuiper
Editors: Tyler Mascola, Forrest Lee, and Dan "Cybert" Seibert
Assistant Editor: AlyssaBeCrazy
Sound Editor: Yosi Berman
Sources:
• Laggy Ironforge Moat V...
www.mmo-champion.com/threads/...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corrupt...
wowwiki.fandom.com/wiki/Zul%2...
wowwiki.fandom.com/wiki/Hakka...
classic.wowhead.com/npc=14834...
www.sciencealert.com/more-evi...
www.cdc.gov/onehealth/basics/...
www.liberationnews.org/rich-f...
uk.reuters.com/article/us-flu...
archive.org/details/PC_Zone_1...
journals.lww.com/epidem/Fullt...
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17301...
www.npr.org/templates/story/s...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...
www.pcgamer.com/the-researche...

[@101thebest4]

9:20 Wow. Hearing that, even in games, there is still people trying to help others is one of the best things I have heard in a while. That’s awesome. Maybe humanity isn’t doomed... yet

[@vaeder5427]

101TheBest i hate to admit it, but we are dead to global warming, pollution, lack of recourses and rising sea levels: Unless we do something, our selfishness will stop us until it’s too late, until we actually see it happening. But I have faith.

[@TerraHv1]

Yeah, but then I hear of those players intentionally getting people sick (e.g. coughing on food) and I think... well, it was a good run while it lasted.

[@JakO_Ob]

@@TerraHv1 it was people going into raid (hunters) corrupting their pet dissmissing and then calling him back in a city :-D and well as a healer myself in wow... I can tell you it's almost a muscle memory like to heal people who are damaged... You see low health you are instantly hitting the buttons :-D

[@notagoat281]

@@TerraHv1 : True, but the good news is that there were probably more players doing that sort of thing in game than idiots doing it in real life. At least I would _hope_ most of the jerks who decide to do that thing online where there are little to no real world consequences, while still bad people, aren't bad/insane enough to do it in real life. I would at least hope that most of them would have the common sense to not put _them selves_ at risk just so they can spread the virus.

[@JakO_Ob]

@@RMan160 /y Bloodbomb !

[@eliofficial5472]

HE SAID “CALL ME MOUSE-PAT”, COMPLETELY NEGLECTING “RATPAT.” What a missed opportunity.

[@ajluis5287]

It was, and it wasn't - either one sounds catchy

[@toes6071]

Someone copied your comment

[@random.junk1e710]

That was my first thought I’m glad I’m not the only one who saw it

[@jacobbabson6786]

Ikr

[@chiya97]

Because rat and mouse is not the same animal?

[@Vyrene]

Games: **can be used as a simulation to find a cure for real-life diseases and can also simulate the scenario and aftermath* Media: *Perhaps i treated you too harshly*

[@cherrydragon3120]

Nah. Media will always try to put games in a negative light

[@AlanCarlinoJr85]

Nah, somehow the media will link video games to the creation of the virus.

[@super_pow_boom5411]

Nah. VidEo game CauSes ViOleNce

[@VenomQuill]

@@AlanCarlinoJr85 Reportedly, a thirty-five-year-old Chinese epidemiologist, _Name P. Holder,_ also going by his gamer tag xXElfSl4y3rXx, created a virus with the intent to "simulate what [World of Warcraft] did in 2005 in real life." His whereabouts are currently unknown, but officials all over the world are searching for him. Games are known to increase aggression and violent tendencies in players, especially children or young adults who are known to mimic what they see. Could this behavior now be seen in professionals? Could video games, movies, and social media be under a whole new wave of censorship and reformation? More at nine.

[@jaxonkight4227]

@@VenomQuill dear God you are dumb

[@Aaron_GKV]

For those who doesn't know, as i lived that event myself, starting to play WoW in 2004, the Blood Plage was a debuff that "you needed to have" because Hakkar had a skill wich drained blood from players in order to heal himself, and if you had the debuff, he will drain *poisonous blood* and will hurt him instead of healing him. That's why that debuff intended, it wasn't just another boss mechanic, and yeah, cities would lag some PC's just because of the sheer amount of bones and corpses...

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Theorists... if your still interested in 'how we can learn from Mistakes and better the World', then try KZbinr Second Thought, maybe starting with his video on Food-WASTE: 'Is Capitalism even Efficient?'

[@JasakutheLeafeon]

A matter of weeks. A Matter Of Weeks. A MATTER OF WEEKS. *ITS BEEN A YEAR*

[@Karak971]

Because enough people didn't listen to the scientists.

[@papercrane_]

this proves that some people are really either dicks or they just don't care about other's safety

[@armymedicchris]

@@Karak971 you mean the one you like....there are 100s on both sides of how to deal with this. The ones that said masks a quarantine have a year and failed. Lets listen to what the others say maybe.

[@armymedicchris]

@@Karak971 in fact those states that finally decided to stop listening to those scientist you speak of are back to "normal" with fewer infections and death rate than those still listening to them.

[@francaisclive2033]

Sounds like a bunch of zhonerists tbh

[@kleinstyle69]

The people that played WoW in 2005 now: *"Just like in the simulations"*

[@Obi-Wan_Kenobi]

You are strong and wise and I am very proud of you.

[@darthknightwingphoenix2081]

Obi-Wan Kenobi *KENOBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!*

[@reymilocuevas3485]

@@darthknightwingphoenix2081 nah bro, if you weren't there for the falador massacre dont @ me.

[@commanderpotato5244]

*gets clone wars flash backs*

[@darthknightwingphoenix2081]

Reymilo Cuevas wtf is a falador massacre?!

[@Fire_Summoner]

Boss: What are you doing? Playing World of Warcraft during your work hours? Employee: No I'm doing research.

[@wariop282]

Stfu idiot

[@ReikiMaulana]

@@wariop282 my man literally made a joke, why are you being an asshole?

[@Silvyya]

lol

[@meneman5640]

Wario :P why are you so mad ;-;

[@qaday123]

Wario :P why don’t you stfu. You ever heard of a joke?

[@torralight4642]

As someone who experienced this event and has played wow for 16 years, I approve of this message. The explanation is at times insanely over simplified but it gets the point across

[@Definitely_not_ai]

I would have this happen again just because I could.

[@darthjayder9914]

social simulator /add in Corona (I think it has an H but I am not sure)

[@acorneroftheinternet4179]

I remember the extra credits video about this I found just after lockdown started. It was made pre-covid and the narrator concluded with "luckily something like this would never happen in real life."

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Theorists, this video here is a Prime-Example for Something, so if your still interested in 'how we can learn from Mistakes and better the World', then try KZbinr Second Thought, maybe starting with his video on Food-WASTE: 'Is Capitalism even Efficient?' Its Prime-Example for the evolution of channel like game-theorist.

[@spacerace1448]

Parents: Gaming is useless go outside Coronavirus: You sure about that?

[@misplaced3117]

Parents: Your Right. Alright Least Favorite Child, Go Outside And Stop Being Useless.

[@magicalmishap1201]

Parents: kids, stay away from strangers...we trained you for this

[@aquadark2291]

My parents actually said they were wrong to do that to us kids and said he should've encouraged us when we were young. I just looked at him and said. Yup.

[@bbbnose2577]

Please consider subbing to BBBnose road to 300

[@rv.d.h6587]

Make a meme

[@cognitiveTrifurcation]

"CDC turns to gamers as potential epidemiology lab rats" sounds like a Plague Inc. headline

[@jack_copperz]

Lmao

[@kaijumurmillo6630]

It do tho

[@geckoo9190]

I actually participated on a study in that you had to play a game about mining, to this day I still don´t know what was the study about

[@magnusalt9240]

So true

[@suraivase7285]

@@geckoo9190 Perhaps they where trying to use players to help find efficient mining strategies?

[@a.r._.2804]

The game developers: I COULD HAVE PREVENTED WHAT?

[@joshuakleopfer751]

Activision-blizzard doesn't care about it's fans

[@Chris_Husk]

Have you heard about a joke

[@joshuakleopfer751]

@@Chris_Husk yeah I'm just trying to get the "do you know what a joke is" reply

[@Chris_Husk]

@@joshuakleopfer751 ok

[@imvictorhugs]

@@joshuakleopfer751 "Activision-blizzard"? "China essentially owns us"? now that i think about it. it they knew they would definetly accept the offers since it started in china, unless the pandemic got more people playing their games.

[@danielwells1734]

I'd be okay with a Corrupted Blood 2.0 in game. It would be fascinating to see how people react to such a scenario in 202x as opposed to 2005.

[@pleon13822]

Finally someone I can agree with

[@beashemmad.sayson545]

Watch it be the same

[@MegaChickenfish]

When this happened, I wrote off people studying it. "you're crazy! People in real life wouldn't go out and *spread a plague on purpose!* " Oh how naive I was. Humanity is awful.

[@lunyxappocalypse7071]

Humanity just does what is imputed sometimes. Even if it does not make any sensible or logical sense.

[@carlycrays2831]

Yeah, I'm beginning to think all those horror and disaster movies were right.

[@safala]

I think our curiosity is our greatest strength and our biggest weakness. (Wow. Reminds me of a writing advice.)

[@mahmutyordamli4912]

they spread the virus to make the whole plague thing a problem bigger that humans cannot ingore and work on a cure to save their sorry asses

[@omarsabry9489]

@@mahmutyordamli4912 Nope, they were just purely evil.

[@casualobserver2000]

I remember this! i was a druid with a group of healers outside a major city desperately trying to save people but there was always some jerk running around trying to infect them.

[@theeclipsemaster]

You sir/madam are a hero

[@Giin0001]

My guild member and I was also trying to do the same, first we try to help guild members then we took the idea to help others, unfortunately we did all we could but it's too much to save.

[@Bundalaba]

IRL : DARN karen people and anti maskers!

[@meek8472]

I wansnt playing when this happened (still dont) but I read it in a barbor shop once

[@Wulf6491]

I remember, I was a lowbie at the time, and I was in a low level area, being told not to go into cities, so i didnt, but I would find high level players mounting up, and running around chasing lowbies, and getting them infected.

[@radasungod8]

It hit hard when you talked about the healers getting infected. My dad is a fireman and contracted COVID around Christmas time. It’s just so amazing how these people risk their lives every day to save other people’s lives.

[@channart374]

“two weeks to slow the spread” me in january: 👁👄👁

[@the_grim_gamer3039]

@Sarah Morey yup. Unfortunately this is probably gonna go into 2021. And I live in the state of ny. Which was getting hit hard before and we're getting hit hard again soooo.

[@littlekuribohimposte]

If you Americans just wore masks...

[@JoshSweetvale]

@Sarah Morey Well, _make_ them. Oh yeah, 'muh freedumb.' Ya can't. Socialism and communism now get fewer cases in a month than you do in a _day._

[@doubla871]

Haha yeah right . . .

[@miarangel2978]

its been almost a year since I’ve been able to go outside without being paranoid

[@555lalrinchhanaroyte5]

WoW players: Hey, I've seen this one, its a classic. Everyone: What do you mean you've seen it, its brand new

[@Ivoryforge11207]

TRUE! LMAO

[@mayoroicjre]

Good ol' BTTF references

[@fedstallions]

Ha back to the future reference.

[@FatalKenshen]

gamers ''we have to stop the spread of this blood plague by quarantining the major city areas'' *some players proceed to spread it to old and new players on purpose* ....sensing some dejavu right there *goes into a second lockdown* ahh now i remember

[@JoshSweetvale]

Oh yes.

[@pearldilucchio7465]

Speaking from the “ if you stay at home you’re saving an entire football team of people” you might actually be saving your favorite football team

[@jakethehyena9327]

I consider football to be quite boring.

[@Vrystalius_V]

Jake The Hyena who asked

[@Vortexiiixii]

Level 1 character: that's instant death! Level 60 above character: this is fine. *gets infected again*

[@saldan3985]

"Humanity will shine at it's finest upon the worst times" 2020 : *S I K E*

[@hungrymusicwolf]

"Humanity will shine at it's finest upon the worst times" Just don't get too close to the flames or they might burn you

[@darreljones8645]

Shouldn't that word be spelled "psych" or "psyche", since it's based on the root of "psychology"?

[@jerusha4jesus]

@@darreljones8645 I doubt he means psych as in the human psyche but "Sike" as in "haha jokes on you" correct me if I'm wrong people

[@bluewinterstorm]

@@jerusha4jesus well, while the original "sike" was "psych" from "we psyched them out"

[@CodinskiSchwartzando]

Warm Tea Actually “Sike” isn’t a real word. It’s just a misspelling of “Psych” that became popular.

[@tobyzecatcreamzecat3994]

50 YEARS LATER Teacher: Okay class theirs this guy called uhm, MatPat & his going to talk about the coronavirus....

[@sheilatakesabow]

😂

[@nflhighlights3215]

No.

[@harrisonmcdonald4566]

"I'll keep it lighthearted." [begins unintentionally showing proof that we're living in the Matrix]

[@watchingufrmbhindu8979]

I was a healer struggling to keep a small group alive during the crisis

[@Henry-lo8qo]

thank you for your service.

[@aquila1154]

Thank you for your service.

[@ciel2963]

cool

[@huh3027]

Thank you for your service.

[@theeclipsemaster]

You are a hero

[@kuraiwolf4047]

Normal People: "Oh god, the horror! We have to stay indoors and not socialize!" Gamers: "Hey bro, get on discord. We are gonna do that Raid again. Yeah, same as last week."

[@michellenichols1190]

Hah, thank you for explaining my life

[@PrinceGemJ]

Karen’s: *Are you saying we aren’t normal?*

[@CursedSFMS]

@@marinaforova3644 stop

[@pixelxmick1796]

Nah nah nah, same as 4 hours ago

[@aetherheart1954]

yooo everybody on? lets go we are joining my world

[@bellen5150]

Matpat 10 moths ago saying that there are two million diagnosed cases Corona:laughs in 2021

[@pizzapatrica7044]

Laughs in 2022

[@loganroufs9705]

@@pizzapatrica7044 it's 100 seconds to midnight

[@oliviakasza8329]

God: “hey angel remember that world of Warcraft viruses let’s do that”

[@blaackarrows110]

Matpat: we've been living like this for years Every gamer ever: SHHHHH they don't know that yet

[@ethanbattermann7123]

One thing he didn't know is that Epic Games has been giving away free games every week since Christmas... 2018

[@digitalscripture9245]

"Those gamers are up to something"

[@Not-the-Pope]

Ethan Battermann subnautica and Celeste are highlights for me

[@ethanbattermann7123]

@@Not-the-Pope I was dreaming about Subnautica and then they gave it away for free 😱 I also really enjoyed Celeste and Darksiders

[@blaackarrows110]

I just got a notification saying that mat pat liked mully comment. I just got 5 bucks. From the background: James you owe me 5 bucks

[@ladylunaginaofgames40]

Funny enough, the event was so big that Blizzard canonized the plague into their game lore and they SORT OF brought it back for their first expansion pack in a new form that's not deadly

[@GallerieDuIb]

So they finally decided to help, & realized that they could get research money.

[@coolcats435]

Just watched the PSA and boy after a two years of this illness, I realized how desensitized we are to Covid now, p.s hope you and the team are back on track and are making money to support yourself again 😁

[@loturzelrestaurant]

Theorists, this video here is a Prime-Example for Something, so if your still interested in 'how we can learn from Mistakes and better the World', then try KZbinr Second Thought, maybe starting with his video on Food-WASTE: 'Is Capitalism even Efficient?'

[@Neron616]

A virus in game that you need to be carful of or you will get sick and die actually sounds like a really cool game mechanic.

[@thedbdentity2102]

Bioarmer

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

For most of us... Life before quarantine: Staying at home and playing video games Life after quarantine: Staying at home and playing video games

[@jyetzer8364]

Or watching anime

[@srpufferfish3991]

Of course your here

[@flamestoyershadowkill6400]

your are everywhere

[@jaredjamesramos704]

Everyone: *Oh its you again* Me: yeah, *true*

[@randomizer8267]

but with quarantine we have 500 hours of homework to do

[@akazinnia]

“Just call me mouse pat” Me an intellectual: Mat Rat

[@snobdogg5095]

Or ratpat

[@legoking9079]

@@snobdogg5095 ratpat ratpat ratpat

[@blender6426]

ratpat

[@scribbledraws529]

RatPat

[@toes6071]

Copied?

[@partlycloudy7707]

A plague spread in an MMO completely by accident? That's incredibly fascinating, and it spread nearly in the same way as real life. Honestly, WoW shows that people could create an MMO, set up like the real world, and with real players. Make it fun like WoW or ESO, and then set up these kinds of situations. That would make some fascinating studies

[@callmeindie1348]

I vaguely remember strolling up to one of the towns on my horse after hearing about this raid so I came to get supplies, this was a bit after the raid launched and I had already heard of the corrupted blood effect but not how it would rid itself. I saw one person start taking damage, then the next and the next. I just got back on my horse went as far as possible, and left the game and waited for the raid to end.

[@jewelfoxgaming873]

Everyday you stay home you save 41 lives Me who's been staying inside even before quarantine: *you know, I consider myself something of a hero*

[@SimplyAnExistence]

What’s an outside?

[@krisbeagles7045]

@@SimplyAnExistence I know right, over never heard of that game

[@cuveedommartinic.balasta5032]

@@krisbeagles7045 good thing we're not in it.

[@yeaididdat666]

Dude I’m pretty sure that means by the official time of the start of quarantine minus 20 I’ve saved 2000+ people I AM BATMAN

[@safala]

This comment thread is way too relatable. However, if anyone finds what ‘outside’ is, please let me know.

[@wonk123]

“at home activities” *teachers: angry noises*

[@boejiden2793]

Lmao

[@jaredjamesramos704]

@Randombirdwhogoeschripchrip dude i see your profile picture e v e r y w h e r e

[@valentingeorgiev6510]

@@jaredjamesramos704 eat your cereal oh yeah yeah SSSSSSSSSSSSS

[@pizzatime7433]

Hey at least it's true

[@christianthememedealer6341]

@Randombirdwhogoeschripchrip @Randombirdwhogoeschripchrip @Randombirdwhogoeschripchrip pretty catchy name

[@ClownOwO]

Watching this video over a year into quarantine is like. Man.

[@oliverholm3973]

"At the end of the day, I'm not gonna let it stop me from partying" A true inspiration, absolute king, role model for the future generations

[@SimplyCrashed]

Plague inc: *They called me a madman.*

[@zzav2345]

yes, and i think deranged president will be added to one of the mutations .... soon ...

[@isaakvandaalen3899]

@@zzav2345 There actually are a certain series random of events which in Plague Inc which, if you evolve the correct symptoms at the correct times, you can get the US President to nuke Russia or China. I think you need to wait for the random event "US President Taken Ill", then evolve Insanity. After that I believe there's another event, after which you need to evolve Paralysis (Don't really get why). Then finally you can evolve either Cold Resistance II or Birds II to nuke either Russia or China respectively. Good times!

[@lordofspaghetti5454]

Plague inc was ahead of the times, thankfully it was my childhood. I also regret all the times I joked about a good old fashioned plague wiping out humanity. And naming a virus USSR and starting it in Russia.

[@LordMedic]

I guess Corona virus spend all it's point on transmission section

[@santiagosenoran1217]

@@lordofspaghetti5454 plague inc wasn't ahead of it's time, earth had many pandemics before , it's dumb to see how many people see this as a new thing

[@finak1673]

Matpat , do you know they finished the petscop series and they’vet released a soundtrack for it too

[@beegyoshiboi7320]

!

[@aster9953]

They released the soundtrack months ago...

[@towotts]

WA

[@justagny]

We should get pyrocynical to make petscop 2 then

[@fahggers69]

Ikkkkkk I need more petscop theoriesssss

[@KiritaWindwalker]

I remember this happening in vanilla.. and I find it horribly ironic that after WoW Classic got ZG it wasnt long till Corona became a thing.. x,x It wasnt till much later i heard they did a study on it and thought "hey, thats super cool. It sucks that the data might of been a bit skewed by the trolls that purposely carried it out or logged to keep the debuff for later"

[@ajarofworms7]

Have you ever just gone back, like WAY back, when you get bored and decide “I’m gonna go watch videos from years ago, maybe one, two or even three years” and when you do that it just makes you happy, it’s heavily raining outside and I’m watching this on 10/12/2021, it’s nice, I like this, its fun, it makes me happy...

[@Ky-kx2hd]

Umm... 10/12/2021 hasn't happened yet bro...

[@ajarofworms7]

@@Ky-kx2hd I meant 2020

[@ghostly7364]

"We can't restart the server in reality" I mean we could but it wouldn't be morally acceptable

[@lemurpaw3230]

Beanie Boys hol’ up...

[@dr.cheeto2149]

It would just result in a real life fallout 76

[@naheleshiriki5496]

@@dr.cheeto2149 depends on how you reset the server.

[@naheleshiriki5496]

I'm all on board for a good ol fashioned culling of the sick just like the good ol days... Seriously that was something that happened during past pandemics they just killed everyone that was sick. It was messed up... welp that's my concerning comment of the day.

[@SolsisEquone]

reset like noah's ark or fallout?

[@cipher2417]

Matpat- " World of Warcraft could've stop covid 19" Literally everyone- "interesting"

[@Viscidsquare040]

Carlos Gouyonnet Sanchez “half as-“

[@RoyalInspiration]

Carlos Gouyonnet Sanchez VERY INTERESTING

[@vintolio]

Who new a "bug" would hit so close to home. Literaly!

[@orphankicker4897]

@@vintolio yeah

[@Azeriiall]

I just sent this to my dad who played WoW three months after release

[@emilgibin]

WoW player afters covid starts : just like the simulations

[@Peyton73]

Lol that one slide with “Over 11,000 confirmed cases”. Ha we pumped those numbers way up sadly

[@SciFactsYT118]

Random fact: Nearly 30,000 rubber ducks were lost a sea in 1992 and are still being discovered today.

[@codyweaver2508]

How were they lost

[@paradox2702]

Ship accident maybe?

[@DogPerson626]

That is random

[@naltlan7651]

@@codyweaver2508 i think the boat they where stored in crashed and the containers fell into the sea, that was actually really usefull, scientists used the path the ducks made to study oncean currents

[@SciFactsYT118]

@@naltlan7651 ✔

[@pumpkinbumpkin767]

For me, plague inc is basically exactly what happened in real life -you’re supposed to keep your symptoms low -you’re supposed to spread it quickly -you’re supposed to delay a cure

[@nerdyfoxes8000]

That's.. Horribly funny

[@Speed001]

How do you delay the cure IRL?

[@ryuudasqurrel7364]

@@Speed001 by listening to someone that thinks less testing will mean the virus will go away

[@imbrifabian1529]

@@Speed001 by infecting the ones making the cure

[@alexispalangeo8643]

@@Speed001 spreading mass misinformation. Or defund research labs and scientists.

[@ChrisStahl]

1:39 - One and a half years later and we have 100x the number of cases.

[@mistermoon9305]

I think we should have more disease events like this in video games, just as long as it’s controlled. It’s such a cool concept and if it’s executed well it can be a fantastic social experiment.

[@_zerohour_]

Imagine being that one guy whos dog killed millions of people because it got a little sick.

[@idontgetthejoke4393]

Corona didn't come from a dog

[@toastvy]

@@idontgetthejoke4393 he's talking about WoW

[@toastvy]

@@idontgetthejoke4393 wait your channel name....

[@idontgetthejoke4393]

@@toastvy lol

[@justarandomidiot4627]

@@idontgetthejoke4393 ayy

[@killergamer7390]

matpat: just call me mousepat me: okay, i'm gonna call you ratpat as long as i can remember to do so

[@intelligencecube6752]

rats rats we're the rats...

[@SilentGlaceon94]

@@intelligencecube6752 *We prey at night, we stalk at night. WE'RE THE RATS!*

[@intelligencecube6752]

@@SilentGlaceon94 Lol, not quite what I had in mind. Was talking about this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5DQi5qdqZuUi8k

[@jessnicole12]

ratthew ratrick is his full name.

[@Sparkz1607]

rats are really smart compared to mice so that's accurate

[@revwroth3698]

This is quite fascinating. Thank you for everything you do, MatPat, you are a hero to the people. I am binging all four theory channels while playing Jak X Combat Racing.

[@Soup.25]

Crazy to think this happened almost 3 years ago. It feels like it happened less than a year ago.

[@silvertheelf]

When some random accident almost saved the real world.

[@tmthedragonslayer9203]

*almost* being the key word, unfortunately

[@TheBluePhoenix008]

@@tmthedragonslayer9203 really unfortunate

[@silvertheelf]

@@tmthedragonslayer9203 aye

[@silvertheelf]

@@TheBluePhoenix008 aye

[@zdelrod829]

Seems like WoW predicted the [redacted]virus

[@envycollar]

' Error: Reality is Unpatchable ' Tierzoo would like to talk to you.

[@Kneem]

That was the play test and stress test for the servers I believe

[@HelenGPitts]

Previous month I was able to pull my first five figure paycheck ever!!! I've been working for this company over the internet for 2 yrs now and I never been happier... They are paying me $95 per hour, and the most important thing about it is the fact I am not that tech-savvy, they just asked for basic awareness of internet and simple typing skill...Amazing thing about this is the more time I got for my kids. I am in a position to devote quality time with my family and friends and look after my babies and also going on holiday vacation together with them very often. Don't skip this chance and make sure to respond quick. Here is what I do *discuss84­.­c­o­m*

[@khoaledinh9027]

Helen G. Pitts ok

[@FiSH-iSH]

@Helen G. Pitts *silence, bot.*

[@pixellego4773]

Maruki has entered the chat

[@Rubywing4]

I'd be up for experiencing a Corrupted Blood pandemic event in WoW, I first started playing during Wrath and have only seen/heard of the plague in videos. While devastating and probably really annoying, it also looks really cool, especially to see players taking on certain roles to prevent the plague from spreading and healing others in attempt to save them until the debuff wears off, and overall making an attempt to eliminate the plague altogether, even from the NPCs (which is the hardest challenge as NPCs standing close together, like at the Auction House, will just keep spreading it to each other indefinitely, so if there was a way to dispell the debuff from the NPCs, that would be worth investigating). I also find it really cool that CDC actually found interest in a bug creating a pandemic within a video game. Sometimes bugs can lead to great things.

[@hamishcullen6878]

“Call me Mouse Pat” dang, really missed RatPat

[@ElementiaYT]

13:24 “Then you had the Griefers...” Now that’s a word I’ve not heard in a long time...

[@baronluke8065]

Griefers the PG version of a word we use frequently now days. That word is "Assholes"

[@RequiemPoete]

@@baronluke8065 assholes covers a range of douche-like behavior, griefer communicates the specific species of asshole.

[@donnybro6536]

Last time i heard that is from minecraft tho. Really old

[@vegetable1495]

Achu 03 for the first time in 2b2t history, slave labor

[@soulcakeplatypus6522]

normal people: - losing their minds because they haven't been able to leave the house for a month - me, someone who's disabled, immunocompromised, unemployed, and has been housebound for the past three years: *pathetic* but also I feel ya bro, it really really sucks. thank you for helping save my life, it means so much to me

[@meagafreak]

Oh yeah I've been in social isolation for 3 years too! it will hit the 4th year this august. So I feel your pain man.

[@lihzzahrdspeed6631]

Me a gamer: I’m just doing what I’ve been doing for years

[@lihzzahrdspeed6631]

Oh and oof

[@TheMangaanimefreak]

Same. Disabled, immunocompromised, mostly house-bound and on occasion bed-bound. Approaching a decade of this, for me. And all these people are complaining about months of time? *Pathetic* is truly the word for it.

[@kiwibuddy5341]

You should be vocal about this. As vocal as you can be, because some people just don't think about the conesquences. Out of sight, out of mind, so get in people's faces with this. Someone like you who is so at risk needs to be seen- not in person, obviously, but it's a lot harder to ignore a person who's name you know vs a hundred faceless people...

[@SneakyTogedemaru]

15:37 4-month quarantine, huh? Well, that was a bit optimistic...

[@notaphycologyst6644]

*cries in 2 year quarantine*

[@Linkolnverse]

The best way to have ensured this didn't constantly kill, is instead of a set amount of health damage, set it to be X% of your maximum health. It would still have spread, but it would have been doable.

[@theanarchist9733]

I mean, the "developer" can do a "server reset" by throwing the moon into the planet

[@timemonkey4027]

Can't spread a virus if there are no people

[@Giin0001]

Am pretty sure they did reset the server but didn't fix the bug and soon as server reopened, some player just do it purposely to get everyone infected again

[@odditycat2716]

We've met with a terrible fate, haven't we?

[@Bundalaba]

No need.Just do a Matrix reset.Just have to survive the unplug and talk to the machines .

[@becjed1701]

Yeah btw I found a legit cure for the virus It's called MR KNIFE Or ya know not being an idiot and staying in quarnteen

[@cthulhufhtagn2483]

"Helpful Matpat is helpful." Someone has been brushing up on their CinemaSins.

[@pyrophobia133]

DING

[@wow-wk4ww]

*ding*

[@fandomonium3789]

this is honestly one of my favorite game theory videos. It's really super fascinating.

[@nickbastion]

ZP talked about this last year. Cool that you’re talking about it too.

[@sad-pt7xd]

Healthy People: Don’t you dare DON’T YOU DARE People with covid-19: Traveling is fun!

[@carlycrays2831]

Traveling isn't even that fun!

[@sad-pt7xd]

Carly Crays that’s because you don’t have covid-19

[@safala]

Delusional Sexy Pants Lol

[@sad-pt7xd]

Deepucks getting sick isn’t fun and it kinda harms the economy a lot

[@Artist_Dakota]

Ugh

[@Boxingcat23]

“RATPAT” WAS RIGHT THERE DUDE

[@MsRedNebulaPlays]

I was gonna say that too!

[@xandermcdevitt9889]

SAME

[@Thil]

This is so weird to watch now in 2022, the intro is like a recap of all the suffering we went through the past few years

[@Irohtheweirdo]

I used to play WoW when I was about 7-8 only because my parents were pretty big gamers, but I remember watching something like this way back. And considering how this took place before I could remember, that’s kind of concerning 😅

[@omegabet3912]

MatPat: Just call me MousePat! Me, an intellectual: RatPat

[@adeadmeme6494]

VerminPat

[@user-wz1jh3rh7z]

@Arimus Adcock packrat

[@Faolan-qe9vl]

yes

[@Savinterra]

thought the exact same thing

[@vennisuna4187]

MatRat

[@irondennis1]

knowing how everyone's like "you have no life" "get a life" "why you so into this? it's just a game" .. it's been awhile since i felt proud to be a gamer. thank you for this at 15:10 means a lot to me

[@emilywhite9549]

Gamers unite!

[@manueldeleon301]

Me: Am i late........

[@M.Ghilas]

gamers together strong .

[@DrumRollPlease2520]

I feel that way about Rick May, may he RIP

[@finlayg9833]

Momoshi I know how you feel

[@sanic6663]

"You save 41 people by staying home" Me looking at my right hand 😳.

[@becjed1701]

Him seems a little sus

[@mrorganic13]

Ark players coughing in swamp fever “You know what, I guess it’s going to be okay, ima try to stick it out.”

[@Definitely_not_ai]

Yup.

[@darkgamermobile6397]

Matpat: *says coronavirus* KZbin: *DEMONITIZE*

[@williamwontiam3166]

Well, it’s not like he’s making money in the first place.

[@hotnopgames]

Why is youtube so sensitive about word corona virus

[@robertserban2422]

Matpat,you said you do videos for maintaining the channel,you will get demonitized

[@LordBloodySoul]

@@hotnopgames I think they try to appease the Chinese people who ban all things that seem like they could "corrupt" their people. Or it's just to stop fake news to spread like wildfire, or someone abusing the algorithm and making it trending, so that anyone with a vid that uses it will end up on front pages. Who knows :I

[@psielemental]

@@hotnopgames Because there are a lot of missinformation being spread.

[@darkpaw1522]

I remember this, man this was crazy. It was my first time visiting Iron Forge. I traveled from Teldrasil, went to Darnassus where I found a Dwarf who told me a place where I could find someone to craft a noob level 5 green item I "needed". So I made my journey through the Wetlands and past the snow tunneled tundra. There I....got lost. I originally thought Iron Forge was a dungeon or cave. Then a level 60 Paladin guided me into Iron Forge with the exchange I'd sign his petition to join his guild, his name was Xandran. As we went in I lagged terribly. Then as my game came in I seen tons of skeletons everywhere. Then I seen Xandrun run up to me and yell "run!". So I ran...in circles not knowing what to do. Before I knew it Xan's healt started ticked, then my health, and I died. I respawned and died again, and again, and again. Xandran tried to bubble me to get out but it was no use. I kid you not I ended up getting a res timer of 40 minutes before I was far away enough to not die. And that's how I discovered the Gnome starting area.

[@omega1074]

This story needs a Netflix adaptation

[@Deikun]

I think i remember xandran somewhere

[@immernacht]

That's honestly an amazing story lol

[@MrGermandeutsch]

God bless Xandran

[@skylarscm4274]

Xandran is the real homie

[@gendygoblin8391]

That is actually a super cool glitch! Holly crap you could use that as a form of world building for any video game, it is kind of terrifying. That would be a fascinating game mechanic, it reminds me of this one anime called “Rising of the Shield Hero.” A dragon infects a small town with a plague after being killed by another hero who didn’t clean it up after it died.

[@raayaswidler1049]

Watching the ads for you and your team, matpat! Keep the excellent episodes coming ☺️😁👌

[@fernandolemon9204]

"Just call me MousePat" How about RatPat?

[@astriaredacted9571]

Eyyyyyy

[@astriaredacted9571]

Maybe even CatPat

[@poptarts123]

Matmouse

[@whyamihere7846]

Puppat

[@SolsisEquone]

@@astriaredacted9571 catpat is skip

[@kurosutachibana6403]

Government: Stay inside, avoid human contact. Me: Oh so do my usual thing then huh?

[@squidofthelake5783]

Kurosu Tachibana same

[@cier5158]

Oof

[@StarlasAiko]

The only thing that changed, it is no longer your choice to make.

[@luissanchezpalacios7698]

Otaku coming out of apartment in 2021:there was a virus out there? :0

[@insertusernamehere8324]

Well, considering that the government (although this could just be my opinion) is based on money, I really wouldn’t want to believe the government...

[@thatone2297]

Is it just me who remembers watching this channel when only one green light was on? I also recognised almost all the video game characters from previous episodes of game theory. I feel so proud of this channel. Here have a like before ive even watched the whole of the video.

[@willycantere8287]

it would be pretty cool if roleplay games sometimes have virus outbreaks on the most random times

[@themattster]

Gamer: Stays inside Corona: Exists Gamer: **Insideness intensifies**

[@Frey0Skule]

Jeez we need the laugh reaction in KZbin too

[@iciebear]

Socialites: socializes Corona: Exists Socialites: **socializationness intensifies**

[@themattster]

@@iciebear Corona: Exists Every sane person who doesn't have athsma or lung cancer: Everything's fine here, we're all fine here, thank you... How are you?

[@sourswift]

You mean Fortnite streamers

[@Pinanimate]

“Wait.. you guys are getting paid!?”

[@thales7947]

Memes aside, the revisiting of one of WoW's most notorious moments is actually really nice to see, especially with the impact it may bring to current Worldwide studies, and with the release of the same raid back in this month's 15th for WoW Classic, we may actually have more studies to it. And also, regarding the youtube ad revenue, thank you and your team for spending such time bringing this theme to light without even being able to regain the money from it, and not only are you helping us, with the entertainment of your videos, but you're helping against the current pandemic. /salute

[@lifeforchrist4595]

The plague is just a setback hogger, go back to the stockades

[@andyandersson5497]

"/salute" AAAAAAAHAHHAA

[@kazaklichborn3923]

The only negative thing about the video revisiting this is I knew what was gonna be pretty much the whole video. It was nice to see though. I did however forgot that the CDC wanted the data.

[@shelbcake]

Wow, it's like MatPat predicted Hakkar returning in Shadowlands.

[@patio8044]

This stuff is kind of amazing. It's really cool to see the affects of a dangerous outbreak that doesn't cause any real world fatalities. It'd definitely be useful for more of this kind of thing to happen in video games, even to the displeasure of players and devs. I don't think any developer would ever actually intentionally create a nuisance for their player base to handle, but just like in real life, accidents with unintended repercussions exist and bugs spread.

[@N3onWolf]

"Just call me mouse Pat" How did you miss the opportunity to say RatPat!

[@SupaKoopaKid64]

THANK YOU!

[@leirawhitehart1236]

I was just about to make this comment!

[@Light_novel_reader]

Because Mickey Mouse

[@jreed4359]

@@Light_novel_reader Or LABRATPAT!

[@UnderScore404]

IKR I was just gonna say that

[@Duskets]

One of my fondest memories in WoW is establishing a quasi-triage center with about 15 other Priests outside the gates of Orgrimmar to try and contain this thing as best as we could. You can imagine how well that went.

[@ajluis5287]

I imagine that it went poorly...?

[@justindman00]

I was there to but on the roof of a building trying to keep myself safe lol

[@danieloceansmith3156]

Hazy it would have been a great idea from the programmers to at least (while they couldn’t figure out how to get rid of the thing) to program a piece of equipment that helped either make you immune or at least not contagious when you wear it. That could have been something you could buy for the dungeon and then the healers could actually do their job and would have still proven a challenge since it would have taken off a high level gear slot. But hey, hind sight is twenty twenty. If they did that it would have been like you had antibodies and could treat patients effectively

[@pastapasteque3032]

@@justindman00 so you quarantined yourself! Good job!😂

[@miralaine935]

BRO MY DAD LITERALLY TOLD ME STORYS OF THAT AS IF IT WAS A REAL LIFE EVENT, he was the most epic gamer

[@CAT_LoVEr917]

I once got Covid and this was after the pandemic started dying out like in the summer of 2022. I literally spent 2 YEARS trying not to get and yet I still got

[@iamagirl9938]

Same exact thing happened to me 😃 Fun times...

[@Nimullitia]

Just before the pandemic I was in college and I had a project to do a presentation about anything you have knowledge on (it was for english) I chose the "Corrupted blood incident" and how it affected real world outbreak research. But I dropped out just after this, and then covid hit, but yeah a lot of research went into it and I will say its shocking how little we learnt from it. Main reason I chose this topic for a presentation was because I was involved in it when it happened. (I was a nooby running into the city getting it and seeing how far I could get before dying, I got to goldshire with it)

[@JoshSweetvale]

All your classmates and proffessor will remember that forever. Cassandra, predicting doom but cursed to never be heard. Not that you _actually_ knew the immediate future, but that's how legends get made. Someone does something apropos, and then disappears.

[@whatisupmyfellowamericans8808]

Gamers before corona: **introverted hermits** Gamers during corona: **introverted hermits** Gamers after corona: **introverted hermits** _Perfectly balanced, as all things should be_

[@Blue-mr7fe]

No.*legalized* introverted gamers

[@primroserain1739]

Y e s

[@jdragon8812]

I would like to disagre

[@grimmsoul3096]

agreed

[@sirprincethelancer7433]

If covid was called “fear of despair” or “wrath of a wraith” staying home will not be a problem.

[@lawrenceadriennevalero3633]

people would be shaking in fear because of that name

[@moonlightcreasant]

unless your a danganronpa player, specifically the crazy junko stans(not the normal junko stans)

[@herrscherofsweets9583]

@@moonlightcreasant natural selection right?

[@itsuko3205]

PrincesRoyalCan And fries well this is ultimate Despair

[@gaberobison680]

They genuinely fucked up the naming. Call it something intimidating not "generic virus name disease 2019"

[@BrontoSmilodon1]

Why do I get the feeling that in an alternate universe where the movie was an extreme success that a third film was going to be filmed with this plague being a central focus but was canceled because of COVID-19

[@hannahdivic28]

I actually remember when this happened on WOW. I was playing in a main server and saw the plague beginning to spread so fast and the havoc it was causing. Really crazy to think about that as a model for today.

[@icegolemite]

Well what did u do when it happended

[@hannahdivic28]

@@icegolemite I was in a group that formed to work on a quarantine at a gate

[@icegolemite]

@@hannahdivic28 That's great( it's 2AM in Vietnam and yes i am staying up)

[@giomations4885]

Fourtunately it's just a game and not a real life virus

[@SillyAmoeba]

Matpat: "why would a game developer make something contagious" DE: "shoves nidus into closet"....

[@DaleKamp]

Hello, fellow Quarantenno.

[@jerdjerd23]

Heh. Space AIDS.

[@analogicparadox]

@Moral Relativism it's a warframe joke

[@lyravain6304]

@Moral Relativism To explain the joke; when Nidus was released, anything a Nidus touched would gain a disease that would grow as a postule over a week. The gameplay concept was to use that postule to get something (which so far is a combat pet you can take but we're still dreaming for some more stuff). Thing is; that is a pink, glowing, pulsating postule with a TENTACLE coming out of it. And you can't recolor or hide it. And anyone who has that disease, even if it doesn't show, ALSO transmits it. Now imagine a social space, when a new warframe/cosmetic is released... people walking around, showing off... and then just ONE person can run in and give everyone 'The Space AIDS'. Screams of 'NOO MY FASHIONFRAME!' ensue.

[@logancressy2259]

Nickolas Ganadakis but it has a cure

[@totallynameless8861]

Wait, Blizzard got a call from the CDC saying 'this information could potentially help us save lives', and they just said 'no'? And observing gamers in their natural habitat is better than experimenting on animals. #RatPat

[@dr.penguin7934]

So we can blame Blizzard for not allowing us preparation for the coronavirus?

[@Ontarianmm]

Blizzard didn't want the bad PR since it was actually still a new game and the success we know now wasn't cemented yet.

[@totallynameless8861]

@@Ontarianmm The CDC said that this could save lives, though.

[@FastForwardPlans]

@@totallynameless8861 This was less a case of pr, everyone already knew about this thing, and more a matter of lots of old people failing to see how peoples actions in a game could connect with real life. Blizzard probably thought it would be a waste of time and give false data that could cost lives rather then save.

[@totallynameless8861]

@@FastForwardPlans Which is not really their call to make. They're a games company. The CDC is literally the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If they say something is useful, then it's best to treat it as useful.

[@gwendolynsnyder463]

My little sister is playing Genshin Impact, and I think Mihoyo should add something similar. Just to see if Players tuck their high level characters that got infected away, until they're healthy again, or if they continue using their infected dps. Also, a useful quirk that the Star Stable Online Team could add would be, I have two effects in mind: 1. an effect that makes the player see everything extremely blurry around the horse, making travelling difficult. So you have the choice, wether to park your character in your stable for a few days, or to still try and explore. 2. or, the effect could be a continuous loss of Jorvic coins. Star coins would maybe be a bit too harsh, but since Star Stable Online doesn't have an hp system, the Star Stable Online team can only implement debuffs that affect something else.

[@brookerbrt]

the fact that covid could've been eradicated in a matter of weeks, but six months later cases are still rising.

[@politebadger5049]

Could it have been?