Return of the Black Plague--on 'World of Warcraft'?

World of Warcraft

(Credit: World of Warcraft)

As I was struggling with my slow Internet connection today (it's fixed, thank goodness), I came across one of the best stories I have ever read. According to Techdirt, researchers were trying to find a way to simulate the death toll of another plague. And, luckily for everyone involved, they thought World of Warcraft would be a great place to start.

Yes, you read that correctly--your WoW character may soon be the recipient of some pretty serious bleeding of the organs, vomiting fleas that release bacteria and a whole bunch of other plague goodness.

Personally, I think this is great. How many times have we heard of people hiring others to get them up to level 70 or cheating their way to the top of the WoW social hierarchy? I'm sick and tired of it. If you play WoW, learn how to play it and earn your level 70 the right way--spending 16 hours per day for the next six months in a dark basement running through the world and picking up attractive "female" avatars. Now that is living.

If you ask me, the Bubonic Plague should be unleashed on these cheaters. Let's round them all up and keep them in a secluded area in the world. From there, let's see what a little bleeding will do to that god-like level 70 now. In a matter of minutes, the characters would start to know what it's like to be a level 15 trying to fight with the big boys. Then and only then would those bullies have some appreciation for the game.

Then, if we're really lucky, scientists will start releasing the bird flu and maybe even a scientifically engineered plague that rivals the great mouse plague of a few years ago. I like the sound of that!

OK, so you heard my hopes for the plague. What kind of plagues would you like to see in WoW?