Virus Tracker

Summary

Virus Tracker is an educational game that can transform any event into a full-blown Zombie epidemic. Score points by passing on your Zombie Virus to other players, or even better, by curing them with the latest Zombie Vaccine! As you play, the game creates a map of all your interaction information, which helps real-life scientists study how diseases spread through social interaction. Earn Leaderboard standings, collect achievement Badges, choose your favorite Zombie character, and help save Humanity!

The Science of Virus Tracker

This app was developed by researchers at the Biocomplexity Institute of Virginia Tech with support from the National Institutes of Health. As players compete to earn the high scores and badges, they’re exposed to the basic science of how diseases spread: evolving viruses, mass vaccinations, and increasing rates of infection through contact with the people around them. Virus Tracker also gives you the power to inspire real-life research! General information from your game is shared with actual scientists. This data can inform research ranging from how diseases spread to how games enhance science education.

Data Collection and Transmission

The Virus Tracker app is part of an ongoing research effort. By downloading and using the app, players are giving consent for their game playing information to be used in this research. No personally identifying information is collected by, or through, the app. Players must provide a screen name and password in order to register for the game. Screen names are stored on the game servers, though passwords are not stored. Players may optionally provide their age range, gender and Zip Code, which can be used to help in the research utilizing the game data. Pending players’ permission, the location and time of their interactions with the system and with other players in the game may be collected. Permission to collect location data is not a prerequisite for playing the game. All interactions with the game servers are conducted via HTTPS.