An outbreak of a deadly disease in a virtual world can offer insights into real life epidemics, scientists suggest.
The "corrupted blood" disease spread rapidly within the popular online World of Warcraft game, killing off thousands of players in an uncontrolled plague.
The infection raged, wreaking social chaos, despite quarantine measures.
The experience provides essential clues to how people behave in such crises, Lancet Infectious Diseases reports.
In the game, there was a real diversity of response from the players to the threat of infection, similar to those seen in real life.
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As long as its not herpes.
I know that there are pathetic geeks that take their WoW very seriously, but a virtual threat will never generate a response the likes of which can be found in a real LIFE or DEATH situation.
It may be an interesting thing to simulate, but just like dreams about sleeping with Rosie O'Donnell, there's nothing quite like the real thing.
And you gotta love this quote
"For example, it would be unethical to release an infectious disease in real life in order to study what the consequences might be."
O RLY!?
AND as a footnote to the super-sensitive and Emo types,
I'm not generalising all WoW players as UBER-geeks, just those that would cry if their mom grounded them from WoW or if their account got banned...
If you're offended by this, you're probably one of them, and need to go get some sunlight