After Inc.: A $2 Gamble in a Free-to-Play World
Ndemic Creations' After Inc., released November 28, 2024, is a bold experiment. Priced at just $2, this sequel to the wildly popular Plague Inc. takes a significant risk in a mobile market dominated by free-to-play games laden with microtransactions. Developer James Vaughn, in an interview with Game File, admitted to his reservations about this pricing strategy.
While After Inc. offers a brighter, post-apocalyptic setting compared to its predecessors, Vaughn's concern is understandable. The sheer volume of free games with in-app purchases presents a considerable challenge for a premium-priced title. However, the success of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. gave the team the confidence to proceed, believing there's still a market for high-quality, strategic mobile games. Vaughn stated: "Our existing success with Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. is the only reason we could even attempt a premium release. It helps players find us and proves there's demand for sophisticated strategy games on mobile. Without that, I doubt any game, regardless of quality, would get noticed."
Ndemic Creations assures players that all purchased content remains accessible without further costs. The App Store listing explicitly states no consumable microtransactions and promises "buy once, play forever" expansion packs.
Initial reception has been positive. After Inc. currently ranks among the top paid games on the App Store, and boasts a high rating on Google Play. A Steam early access version, titled After Inc. Revival, is slated for a 2025 release.
What is After Inc.?
After Inc. is a compact 4X strategy and simulation game. Players rebuild human civilization across the UK after the Necroa Virus plague. Utilizing resources from ruins, players establish settlements, construct buildings (farms, lumberyards, etc.), and manage essential services to keep citizens happy and fed. Five leaders (ten on Steam) each possess unique abilities to guide this rebuilding effort.
The challenge? Zombies. Players must contend with these undead threats while expanding their settlements. Vaughn's reassuring words: "Nothing that can't be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"
