After Inc., the $2 Sequel to Plague Inc., Takes a Gamble
Ndemic Creations' latest release, After Inc., launched on November 28th, 2024, priced at a daring $2. Developer James Vaughn, in an interview with Game File, expressed reservations about this pricing strategy in a mobile market dominated by free-to-play (F2P) games laden with microtransactions. The game, a sequel to the immensely popular Plague Inc., casts players in a post-apocalyptic world rebuilding human civilization after the Necroa Virus pandemic.
Despite After Inc.'s seemingly brighter premise compared to its predecessors, Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc., Vaughn's concerns remain. He acknowledges the risk, stating that the success of their previous titles is crucial to their current venture's visibility: "The only reason we can even consider releasing a premium game is because we have our existing juggernauts of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc... If we didn't have Plague Inc. to help – I think any game, no matter how good it is, would really struggle to get noticed."
Ndemic Creations assures players of a fair purchase. The App Store listing emphasizes the absence of consumable microtransactions, promising that all purchased content will remain accessible without further payment. Expansion packs, they state, are "buy once, play forever."
Initial reception has been positive. After Inc. currently ranks among the top paid games on the App Store, while boasting a 4.77-star rating on Google Play. A Steam early access version, titled After Inc. Revival, is slated for release in 2025.
What is After Inc.?
After Inc. blends 4X grand strategy with simulation elements. Players rebuild human society across the United Kingdom, managing settlements amidst the ruins of a post-apocalyptic, yet vibrant, environment. Resource management is key, utilizing salvaged materials to construct essential buildings like farms and lumberyards. Player choices extend to selecting one of five leaders (ten in the Steam version), each with unique abilities.
The challenge? Zombies. Players must contend with undead hordes while securing resources and expanding their settlements. Vaughn playfully assures players, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!" The game promises a compelling blend of strategy, resource management, and survival against the undead.
