After Inc: Plague Inc Sequel Launched at Risky $2 Price

Ndemic Creations recently launched After Inc. on November 28, 2024, priced at a budget-friendly $2. Despite this strategic move, developer James Vaughn expressed his reservations about the pricing in an interview with Game File on the same day. After Inc. serves as a sequel to the immensely popular Plague Inc., set in a world where humanity emerges from bunkers post the devastating Necroa Virus outbreak.

While After Inc. offers a more hopeful narrative compared to its predecessors, Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc., Vaughn's concerns revolve around the saturated mobile game market, dominated by free-to-play (F2P) titles with microtransactions. However, the team's confidence stems from the successful track record of their previous games. "The only reason we can even consider releasing a premium game is because we have our existing juggernauts of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. which will help players find our games - and also show that there is still an appetite for intelligent, sophisticated strategy games on mobile. 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," Vaughn explained.

Ndemic Creations has also committed to providing all purchased content without additional payments. On After Inc.'s App Store page, the developer assures that there are no "consumable microtransactions," and "Expansion Packs are buy once, play forever," ensuring player progression without further costs.

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

What is After Inc.?

After Inc. is a "mini" 4X grand strategy game infused with simulation elements, where players must rebuild human society from scratch following the events of Plague Inc.. Set in a post-apocalyptic yet vibrant world, players start in the United Kingdom, utilizing the remnants of modern civilization to establish and expand settlements.

The game features ruins that supply crucial materials such as wood and scrap metal, essential for constructing and maintaining settlements. Players can develop various buildings, including farms and lumberyards, to kickstart the revival of human civilization. Ensuring the provision of essential services is crucial for keeping citizens happy and well-nourished. Players can select from five different leaders (ten on the Steam version), each with unique abilities to guide their settlements.

However, the world of After Inc. is not without its threats. Zombies roam the landscape, posing a danger to resource collection and settlement expansion. Players must combat these undead threats, with Vaughn humorously noting, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!" With sufficient resources and manpower, players can reclaim the world, turning the tide against the zombies and restoring human civilization.