After Inc, the Plague Inc Sequel, Priced at $2 in Risky Move for Devs

After Inc.: A $2 Gamble in a Free-to-Play World

Ndemic Creations' bold move to price its new game, After Inc., at just $2, has raised eyebrows. Released on November 28th, 2024, this sequel to the wildly popular Plague Inc. sees humanity rebuilding after the Necroa Virus devastation. Developer James Vaughn, in an interview with Game File, admitted to reservations about this pricing strategy in today's mobile market, dominated by free-to-play games laden with microtransactions.

Despite the concerns, Vaughn and his team proceeded, confident in the success of their previous titles. He stated, "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."

The commitment to a premium model extends to in-app purchases. Ndemic Creations assures players that all content is included in the purchase price; there are no consumable microtransactions, and expansion packs follow a "buy once, play forever" policy.

Initial success is promising. After Inc. sits comfortably in the App Store's Top Paid Games category, and boasts a 4.77/5 rating on Google Play. A Steam early access version, After Inc. Revival, is slated for 2025.

What is After Inc.?

After Inc. is a blend of 4X grand strategy and simulation. Players rebuild human civilization across the UK in a vibrant, post-apocalyptic setting. Ruins provide resources, and players build settlements, manage essential services, and choose from five leaders (ten on Steam) to guide their people.

The challenge? Zombies. Resource gathering and expansion require battling the undead hordes, a task Vaughn playfully assures is manageable: "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"