After Inc.: A $2 Gamble in a Free-to-Play World
Ndemic Creations' bold move to price its Plague Inc. sequel, After Inc., at just $2, has raised eyebrows. Developer James Vaughn, in a recent Game File interview, admitted to reservations about this pricing strategy in today's mobile gaming market, dominated by free-to-play (F2P) models laden with microtransactions.
Released on November 28th, 2024, After Inc. offers a brighter outlook than its predecessors, Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc., depicting humanity's rebuilding efforts after the Necroa Virus pandemic. Despite the game's positive premise, Vaughn's concerns about market saturation led to internal debate over the $2 price point. However, the team's confidence in their previous successes ultimately swayed the decision. Vaughn stated, "Our success with Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. is the only reason we could even consider a premium release. These games help players find us and demonstrate a continued demand for intelligent strategy games on mobile. Without that existing player base, I believe any new game, regardless of quality, would struggle to gain visibility."
Ndemic Creations assures players of a complete experience without additional costs. 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, alongside titles like Plague Inc. and Stardew Valley, and boasts a 4.77/5 rating on Google Play. A Steam early access version, titled After Inc. Revival, is also planned for 2025, expanding the game's reach to PC players.
Rebuilding Civilization in After Inc.
After Inc. is a blend of 4X grand strategy and simulation. Players rebuild human society across the UK in a vibrant post-apocalyptic landscape, utilizing salvaged resources from ruins to construct settlements and essential services. Five leaders (ten on Steam), each with unique abilities, guide this rebuilding effort.
The looming threat of zombies adds a survival element, demanding resource management and strategic settlement expansion to overcome. As Vaughn confidently assures players, "Nothing that can't be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"
