Plague Inc. Sequel 'After Inc' Risks with $2 Price Point

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 sparked debate. Released on November 28th, 2024, the sequel to the wildly popular Plague Inc. follows humanity's struggle to rebuild after the Necroa Virus catastrophe. Developer James Vaughn, in an interview with Game File, admitted to reservations about this pricing strategy in a mobile market dominated by free-to-play (F2P) models.

Vaughn's concern is the overwhelming presence of F2P games with extensive microtransactions. However, the success of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. provided the confidence to launch After Inc. as a premium title. He believes their established player base and the proven demand for high-quality strategy games on mobile justify the risk. "The only reason we can even consider this," Vaughn stated, "is because of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. Otherwise, I think any game, regardless of quality, would struggle to be seen."

Ndemic Creations assures players of a truly premium experience, with no hidden costs. The App Store listing explicitly states no consumable microtransactions and guarantees 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-star rating on Google Play. A Steam early access version, titled After Inc. Revival, is slated for release in 2025.

What is After Inc.?

After Inc. is a 4X grand strategy and simulation game where players rebuild civilization in a post-apocalyptic UK. Players manage settlements, gather resources from ruins, construct buildings (farms, lumberyards, etc.), and provide essential services to keep citizens happy. Five leaders (ten on Steam), each with unique abilities, guide this rebuilding effort.

The challenge? Zombies. Players must combat the undead threat to secure resources and expand their settlements. As Vaughn playfully put it, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"