Under normal circumstances, Minecraft creepers are phallic beasts that chase players and explode when they get close. But the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic means that things are definitely out of the ordinary for much of the world, and for the next week or so, those creepy green bastards will be delivering a different kind of message to fans: wash your hands.

Not in-game - the creepers will be dedicated to blowing you to pieces, just as they are when you're actually playing - but on Minecraft social channels like Twitter and Facebook, you can see a different side of them You can see them on Twitter, Facebook and other Minecraft social channels. This is because Mojang has partnered with the United Nations Development Programme and Heart17 to "raise awareness and engage young people to prevent, respond and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic."

"At Mojang, we believe it is very important to deliver factual information. That information helps people make informed decisions, which in turn can save lives," the studio wrote.

"Over the next week or so, we are devoting space on all our social channels to important health advice based on World Health Organization recommendations. So if you suddenly run into a creeper telling you to wash your hands, don't worry. In-game, the creeper still only wants to get to know you and have a blast. But on our social channels, for the time being, they also want to help put an end to the pandemic."

For starters, the UNDP program will focus on the basics of preventing the spread of infection, such as hand washing, social distancing, and staying at home. It then plans to shift its messaging to efforts to protect and support those hardest hit by the epidemic.

"The only way we can solve our global challenges is by working together and building partnerships, and when a popular culture company like the H&M Group was asked by UNDP to spread information to young people about the COVID-19 pandemic, and to act immediately We are very grateful and proud that a popular culture company like the COVID-19 group decided to take immediate action when asked by UNDP to spread information about the COVID-19 pandemic to young people," said Anna Lyot and Jørgen Andersson, founders of Heart17. What we need now is hope and solidarity."

UNDP describes Heart17 as "a global initiative that partners with UNDP and global brands within popular culture to accelerate the UN Sustainable Development Goals with a message of hope, creativity and partnership." Interestingly, while programs like the Minecraft partnership are live, Heart17 itself is not: according to the apparently incomplete website, the program was launched "to support UNDP's ongoing fight against the spread of COVID-19," according to the expected . was launched earlier than expected.