Ndemic Creations has taken a bold step with the release of After Inc., the sequel to the immensely popular Plague Inc., priced at a budget-friendly $2. Despite this seemingly attractive price point, the developer James Vaughn expressed reservations about this decision in a recent interview with Game File on November 28, 2024. The game, launched on the same day, follows the aftermath of the Necroa Virus, where humans emerge from their bunkers to rebuild society.

Vaughn's concerns stem from the mobile gaming market's saturation with free-to-play (F2P) games, which often rely heavily on microtransactions. Despite these doubts, Ndemic Creations proceeded with the $2 pricing strategy, buoyed by the success of their previous titles, Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc.. Vaughn explained, "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. If we didn't have Plague Inc. to help - I think any game, no matter how good it is, would really struggle to get noticed."

Ndemic Creations has assured players that all purchased content in After Inc. will be available without additional payments. The App Store page for the game states there are no "consumable microtransactions," and "Expansion Packs are buy once, play forever," ensuring players can progress without further costs.

Currently, After Inc. ranks fifth in the App Store’s Top Paid Games category, closely trailing behind Plague Inc. and Stardew Valley. The game also boasts a 4.77 out of 5 rating on Google Play. An early access version, After Inc. Revival, is slated for release on Steam in 2025, extending the game to PC players.

What is After Inc.?

After Inc. is a unique blend of a "mini" 4X grand strategy and simulation game, where players are tasked with rebuilding human society in a post-apocalyptic world. Set in the United Kingdom, players must use the remnants of modern civilization to establish and expand settlements. Key resources like wood and scrap metals, found in ruins, are crucial for constructing and maintaining essential structures such as farms and lumberyards. Players must also manage services to keep their citizens content and well-fed.

The game offers a choice of five leaders (ten on the Steam version), each with unique abilities to guide the settlements. However, the challenge doesn't end there; zombies roam the landscape, posing a threat to resource gathering and expansion. Vaughn humorously reassures players that with the right resources and strategy, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"