After Inc, the Plague Inc Sequel, Priced at $2 in Risky Move for Devs

After Inc., the $2 Sequel to Plague Inc., Takes a Gamble on Premium Pricing

A Risky Bet in a F2P-Dominated Market

Ndemic Creations' latest release, After Inc., launched on November 28th, 2024, priced at a surprisingly affordable $2. However, developer James Vaughn admits to some apprehension regarding this pricing strategy in a recent Game File interview. The game, a sequel to the wildly popular Plague Inc., casts players in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity rebuilds after the Necroa Virus pandemic.

While After Inc. offers a brighter premise than its predecessors, Vaughn voiced concerns about the mobile market's saturation with free-to-play (F2P) games laden with microtransactions. Despite these reservations, the team's confidence stems from the established success of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc.

"Our existing successes with Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. are the only reason we could even consider a premium release," Vaughn explained. "They help players find our games and demonstrate a continuing demand for intelligent, sophisticated strategy games on mobile. Without Plague Inc.'s established presence, I believe any new game, regardless of quality, would struggle to gain visibility."

Ndemic Creations assures players that all purchased content will remain accessible without further costs. The App Store listing explicitly states the absence of "consumable microtransactions" and promises that "Expansion Packs are buy once, play forever."

Currently, After Inc. holds a strong position in the App Store's Top Paid Games category, ranking 5th, closely trailing Plague Inc. and Stardew Valley. It also boasts a 4.77 out of 5 rating on Google Play. A Steam early access version, titled After Inc. Revival, is slated for release in 2025, expanding the game's reach to PC players.

What Awaits in After Inc.?

After Inc. is a compact 4X grand strategy simulation game. Players must rebuild human civilization in a post-apocalyptic UK, utilizing the remnants of old settlements to establish new ones. Resources like wood and scrap metal are crucial for expansion and infrastructure development. Players manage essential services to maintain citizen happiness and well-being, choosing from five leaders (ten on Steam) with unique abilities.

The challenge? Zombies. Players must combat the undead threat to secure resources and expand their settlements. As Vaughn assures, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"