SAN FRANCISCO, July 8 ― Already well established as a mobile, console and computer game, “Plague Inc” will play host to a theatrical tie-in that shows how the Planet of the Apes came to be.

Titled “Simian Flu,” the upcoming update will provide a new injection of novelty by making its ape population more intelligent while having unpredictable effects on humankind.

In keeping with the game's anti-hero bent, players will be in charge of ensuring viral success, and preventing the timely development of an effective vaccine.

Similar in scope to popular board game Pandemic, which is also available on iOS, but taking the side of a microscopic enemy, “Plague Inc” will welcome the simian update “very soon” on iOS, Android, Linux, PC and Mac according to James Vaughan of developer Ndemic; the Xbox One edition will come with

“When I was making 'Plague Inc.' (as a hobby) 3 years ago ― I was watching the previous film 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' and the end credits scene gave me a lot of inspiration,” he wrote on his studio website. “Crazy to think that 'Plague Inc' is now big enough to work directly with the film's sequel!”

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is being readied for a July 11 debut in North American cinemas, the same week in much of South East Asia, Oceania, South Africa and some parts of Eastern Europe, with Europe, South America and remaining territories receiving it the week of July 24; the Middle Eastern peninsula joins in August 28 and Japan from September 19. ― AFP-Relaxnews