Plague Inc. Sequel: $2 Price Tag a Gamble

Description: The Ndemic Creations developer James Vaughn harbors reservations about their choice to launch After Inc. at $2. Read on to discover more about why he proceeded with this pricing strategy despite his uncertainties.

Plague Inc.'s Less Somber and More Budget-Friendly SequelConcerned About Mobile Game Market Being Oversaturated With F2P

Ndemic Creations just launched After Inc. on November 28, 2024, at a budget-friendly price of $2. However, developer James Vaughn is somewhat hesitant about this daring pricing strategy, according to his interview with Game File on the same day. The game is the sequel to the immensely popular Plague Inc., as humanity emerges from bunkers after decades of the Necroa Virus devastating the world.

While After Inc.'s concept seems more upbeat than its forerunners, Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc., James Vaughn voiced reservations about its $2 price point. His worries arise from the mobile gaming market's plethora of free-to-play titles brimming with microtransactions. Nonetheless, he and his team moved forward, basing their conviction on the demonstrated success of their prior games.

"The only reason we can even contemplate releasing a premium game is because we have our existing behemoths of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. which will aid players in discovering our games - and also demonstrate that there's still a demand for clever, complex strategy games on mobile. If we didn't have Plague Inc. to assist - I believe any game, regardless of its quality, would truly struggle to gain attention."

Ndemic Creations also pledged that all purchased content would be accessible to players without extra charges. On After Inc.’s App Store page, the developer stated that there are no "expendable microtransactions." They also added, "Expansion Packs are buy once, play forever," ensuring player advancement without further cost.

Currently, After Inc. is at the 5th position, closely trailing Plague Inc. and Stardew Valley, in the App Store’s Top Paid Games category. The game also boasts a 4.77 out of 5 rating on Google Play. Meanwhile, an early access version called After Inc. Revival is also slated for release on Steam in 2025, bringing Ndemic Creations’ latest title to PC gamers.

What is After Inc.?

After Inc. is a "mini" 4X grand strategy game blended with simulation, where players must reconstruct human society from scratch after the events of Plague Inc.. Scattered amidst the remnants of modern human civilization, they must establish multiple settlements across the United Kingdom in a post-apocalyptic world featuring a lush and vibrant environment.

In this game, ruins yield essential crafting and building materials such as wood and scrap metals for expanding, creating, and maintaining settlements. There are numerous buildings to jumpstart the revival of human civilization such as farms and lumberyards. Providing essential services is also crucial for keeping the citizens content and well-fed. To conclude, players can select from five leaders (ten on Steam), each with unique abilities, to guide these settlements.

However, a menace looms. Zombies are roaming the world, and players must eliminate them to ensure the safe gathering of resources and potential expansion of settlements. But with sufficient resources and manpower, players can overcome this threat and reclaim the world. Vaughn reassured players, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"