After Inc.: A $2 Gamble in a Free-to-Play World
Ndemic Creations' bold move to price their new game, After Inc., at just $2, has raised eyebrows. Developer James Vaughn, in a recent interview with Game File, admitted to reservations about this pricing strategy in a mobile market dominated by free-to-play (F2P) games laden with microtransactions.
Released on November 28th, 2024, After Inc. offers a brighter outlook than its predecessors, Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc., following humanity's recovery from the Necroa Virus. Despite this positive premise, Vaughn's concerns about the competitive landscape remain. He credits the success of Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc. with giving After Inc. a fighting chance: "The only reason we can even consider releasing a premium game is because we have our existing juggernauts... which will help players find our games - and also show that there is still an appetite for intelligent, sophisticated strategy games on mobile."
Ndemic Creations assures players that all purchased content is complete; there are no hidden costs or consumable microtransactions. Expansion packs follow a "buy once, play forever" model. This commitment to value seems to be paying off. 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 Google Play rating. A Steam early access release (After Inc. Revival) is planned for 2025.
What Awaits in After Inc.?
After Inc. is a blend of 4X grand strategy and simulation. Players rebuild human society in a post-apocalyptic UK, utilizing salvaged resources from ruins to establish and expand settlements. Essential services, resource management, and zombie-clearing are key elements of gameplay. Players can select from five leaders (ten on Steam), each with unique abilities. As Vaughn puts it, "Nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!"
