Inafune cancels Nordic appearance over swine flu restrictions

This is a bit over the top, don't you think?

Statistically, he's more likely to come to harm on his way in to work; should he work from home now? Fair enough it's policy but it seems overly sensitive to me. :)

Posted:4 years ago

What a shame. The far eastern territories really take this sort of thing far too seriously, particularly as the whole 'pandemic' appears to be on the wane. I hope they get it sorted before E3, I couldn't imagine it without Capcom. You have to wonder which other developers/publishers will fall foul of this kind of policy.

On the other hand, a big bonus in securing the services of Martyn Brown. He will be able to fill in admirably, and his session is incredibly pertinent to the industry at the moment.

Edited 1 times. Last edit by Alex Wright-Manning on 18th May 2009 11:25am

Posted:4 years ago

I'd rather hear what Martyn has to say.

I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords.

Posted:4 years ago

Swine Flu is the new Y2K.

Posted:4 years ago

More accurately, swine flue is the new SARS. It was ridiculous seeing people walking around with painters masks in Toronto. The tourism and movie industries definitely took a hit in 2003.

Posted:4 years ago

i don't know...call me a pesimist but i think it may actually kill off 10's of millions of people if not hundreds and we are not taking it seriously enough - i never felt that way about SARS

Posted:4 years ago

I think the fact SARS originated in the Far East made it seem a little detached and far away. Swine flu seems a little closer to home. Well, we'll soon know when the traditional flu period begins in a few months. I would imagine that there is a vaccine well under development, but who knows? There are a lot of events worldwide this year that it could really effect. GDC Europe, Austin and China all could take a big hit, not to mention the returning 'glitz & glamour' of E3. I'm buying shares in Paper Masks Inc.

Posted:4 years ago

Apparently this isn't just Capcom specific -- they have installed scanners at Japanese airports that detect your body heat (really?!) and if you are detected to have a flu [is that even possible?] they detain you, and everyone else on the plane, overnight. Or maybe the person who told me this was taking the piss. Either way, doubt he'll be at E3 either.

Posted:4 years ago

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/04/... !

Posted:4 years ago

Swine Flu, the economic stimulus plan for pharmaceuticals.

Posted:4 years ago

Now that's a conspiracy theory and a half John! If anyone comes to your door wearing sunglasses and a paper mask with Pfizer badges, don't answer it!

I have to say a pandemic would be bad for all industries except pharmaceuticals, but surely millions of people staying at home ill would play more games? Could swine flu give the games industry a shot in the arm? ;)

Posted:4 years ago

We have communicable diseases that kill hundreds of thousands of people every year. Why are we up in arms over a disease that was supposed to cause a pandemic back in the 1970's - only for the actual vaccine to kill more people than the actual disease.

See, this isn't our first rodeo with this pig. Massive media and political hysteria ensued in 1976 and the only casualties from it were mostly ill with other diseases to begin with.

Asian Flu in the 50's - 2 million deaths.
Hong Kong Flu in the 60's - 1 million deaths.
Swine Flu in the 70's - 1 death.
Bird Flu in the 2000's - 261 deaths.
Swine Flu in 2009 - 82 deaths.

Common Flu every year - 500,000 deaths.

Posted:4 years ago

Spanish Flu 1918 - 50 to 100 million people

Common flu kills the old and weak. This kills the young and healthy.

The world has been getting ready for Bird Flu and stockpiling vaccines on that and now even western nations won't be able to create enough vaccine for swine flu.

People live in illusionary world - witness the denial that the economy would crash under debt during the economic boom. This threat is real and the world should be prepared for it. If things get bad, we have 4 months to get ready. It's too risky to "hope" it won't happen.

Posted:3 years ago

Well, maybe this is nature's way of telling us that there are several billion people too many on the planet!

Posted:3 years ago

Another four confirmed cases in the UK today Tam, looks like you may be onto something. I think we'll definitely see it rear it's piggy head with a vengeance come the traditional flu period.

Posted:3 years ago

Alex, we just had flu season this year already - well, for the northern hemisphere anyway. Flu season doesn't begin again until late December.

Posted:3 years ago

I always seem to get it around September. Although having Googled it I am more than happy to bow to your superior viral knowledge Jimmy. ;)

Posted:3 years ago