Plague Inc. Sequel: $2 Price Tag a Gamble for Devs

Plague Inc.'s Less Bleak, Budget-Friendly Sequel

Ndemic Creations' After Inc., released November 28, 2024, takes a bold step with its $2 price tag. Developer James Vaughn, in a recent interview with Game File, admitted some apprehension about this pricing strategy in a mobile market dominated by free-to-play games laden with microtransactions. Despite his concerns, the success of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. fueled their confidence. Vaughn explained, "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."

Reassuringly, Ndemic Creations promises a truly premium experience. The App Store page explicitly states there are no consumable microtransactions, and expansion packs follow a "buy once, play forever" model, ensuring players get complete value for their purchase.

Initial success is promising. After Inc. currently sits in the App Store's Top Paid Games category, closely trailing Plague Inc. and Stardew Valley, and boasts a 4.77/5 rating on Google Play. A Steam early access version, After Inc. Revival, is also slated for release in 2025, bringing the post-apocalyptic rebuilding experience to PC gamers.

What is After Inc.?

After Inc. is a compelling blend of 4X grand strategy and simulation. Following the events of Plague Inc., players must rebuild human civilization across the United Kingdom, utilizing the remnants of a ravaged world. Ruins provide crucial resources for settlement expansion, and players manage various buildings – farms, lumberyards, etc. – to ensure the well-being of their citizens. Five leaders (ten in the Steam version), each with unique abilities, guide the rebuilding efforts.

The challenge? Zombies. Players must strategically manage resources and manpower to overcome this threat and reclaim the world. As Vaughn jokingly assures players, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"