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

After Inc., the sequel to Plague Inc., launches at a bold $2 price point – a risky move for developers Ndemic Creations. This article explores the reasoning behind this pricing strategy and the game's reception.

Ndemic Creations released After Inc. on November 28th, 2024, a sequel depicting humanity's rebuilding efforts after the Necroa Virus pandemic. While the premise offers a more optimistic tone than its predecessors, developer James Vaughn expressed reservations about the $2 price tag in a Game File interview. His concern stems from the mobile gaming market's saturation with free-to-play games laden with microtransactions. Despite these doubts, the team proceeded, confident in the success of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. Vaughn stated that the existing player base for those titles was crucial for visibility in a competitive market. He believes that without the established success of previous titles, even a high-quality game would struggle to gain traction.

The developers have committed to a premium model without additional in-app purchases. The App Store listing explicitly states no consumable microtransactions and that expansion packs are "buy once, play forever."

Initial reception has been positive. After Inc. quickly reached the top 5 in the App Store's paid games category, 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 slated for release in 2025.

After Inc. is described as a "mini" 4X grand strategy/simulation game. Players rebuild human society across the UK in a post-apocalyptic setting, utilizing salvaged resources from ruins to establish and expand settlements. The game features various buildings, resource management, and the challenge of zombie threats. Players can choose from five leaders (ten in the Steam version), each with unique abilities. Vaughn humorously assured players that even zombie threats are manageable with sufficient resources and ingenuity.