After Inc's Plague Inc. Sequel Risks $2 Price Tag

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

Ndemic Creations' bold move to price its new game, After Inc., at just $2, has raised eyebrows. Developer James Vaughn, in a recent interview with Game File, admitted to reservations about this strategy in a mobile market dominated by free-to-play (F2P) games laden with microtransactions. Released on November 28th, 2024, After Inc. serves as a sequel to the immensely popular Plague Inc., shifting the narrative from global pandemics to the rebuilding of human civilization after the Necroa Virus catastrophe.

Despite the seemingly optimistic premise—a stark contrast to the grim scenarios of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc.—Vaughn's apprehension is understandable. The team's decision to proceed with the $2 price point rests heavily on the success of their previous titles:

"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."

A key aspect of Ndemic Creations' strategy is the commitment to no additional costs for purchased content. The App Store listing explicitly states "no consumable microtransactions" and promises that "Expansion Packs are buy once, play forever."

Initial reception has been positive. After Inc. currently sits in the top 5 paid games on the App Store, trailing only Plague Inc. and Stardew Valley, and boasts a 4.77/5 rating on Google Play. Furthermore, a Steam early access version, titled After Inc. Revival, is slated for release in 2025, expanding the game's reach to PC players.

What is After Inc.?

After Inc. is a blend of 4X grand strategy and simulation, challenging players to rebuild human society in a post-apocalyptic UK. Players manage settlements, utilizing salvaged resources from ruins to construct essential buildings like farms and lumberyards. Maintaining citizen happiness and well-being is crucial, and players can choose from five leaders (ten on Steam) with unique abilities. The ever-present threat of zombies adds a layer of strategic challenge to resource gathering and expansion. As Vaughn assures players, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"