In 2009, the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth was celebrated worldwide. That's why the Erasmus MC and the Rotterdam Museum of Natural History organised the exposition H5N1 - The evolution of a flu virus.
The exposition’s goal: exposing the evolution of a virus and with that the danger of a possible pandemic. In an interactive demonstration, visitors could discover what happens when someone comes back from a vacation and turns out to be 'infected' with a flu virus.
In the context of the exposition, Ranj developed The Great Flu, in co-operation with the well-known virologist Prof. Dr. Ab Osterhaus. Two weeks after the launch, the Mexican or swine flu broke out worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of players tried the game to get to know more about the virus - what the risks are and where it comes from.
Fly pandemic
In The Great Flu players meticulously follow the outbreak of a flu pandemic. They also obtain the means to control the outbreak. This leads to some moral dilemmas, because opinions about combating flu pandemics are divided.
The game confronts players themselves with these important choices, after which the effects immediately become clear. This creates a newfound understanding - and respect for the choices of others.
Results
- Hundreds of thousands of players worldwide.
- Front page of NRC Handelsblad.
- NBC.
- Pauw en Witteman.
