One of the biggest mobile games ever gets a surprise 4X city-builder sequel, and its dev is "absolutely not" confident in its $2 price tag: "It's a huge gamble!"
Nov. 27, 2024Following Plague Inc., the creator is ready to “make a more happy and optimistic game this time”
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In a report fromGame File(paywalled), designer James Vaughan looked back on the unexpected success of Ndemic Creation’s previous strategy games during chaotic times, what led to his newest game — After Inc. — and its optimistic view of rebuilding the Earth after tragedy.
“I have had quite a lot of people worry that our games tend to predict the future,” said Vaughan to Game File.
After Plague Inc., Vaughan released Rebel Inc., a grand strategy game about the political choices made with growing insurgencies across the world. It also found success and a lot of common ground as unrest grows in the present day. But for his next game, After Inc., the creator wanted to make something less bleak and more about building a better world following the end of a zombie apocalypse — which is out now.
“The world is lush and beautiful. The survivors have endured hardships but they are alive and able to rebuild,” said Vaughan. “[The] only downside is the zombies, but that’s nothing that can’t be solved with some nails stuck in a cricket bat!”
Currently, the game is out on mobile devices for $2, which Vaughan stated in the Game File report is “a huge gamble” for the studio – even stating further that’s he’s not at all confident that it will work out in the end for them. The only way for the game to be released in this way was due to the success of both Plague Inc. and Rebel Inc.
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But much like those games, the developers plan to support the game for years to come post-launch, believing that the “long tail” will keep the game active. Currently, as of the time of this posting, After Inc. is the #10 best sellers for paid games on the Apple Store.
If you’re looking for suggestions more civilization andcity-building games, check out our roundup of the 15 best titles in the genre you can play right now.
Alessandro is a freelance writer and editor based in the San Francisco Bay Area who has covered the games, tech, and entertainment industries for more than 13 years. Having previously worked at GameSpot, CNET, and various other outlets writing features and coordinating event coverage, Alessandro enjoys playing games on PC, but also gives plenty of time to his Nintendo Switch. You can find him on various socials at @afillari.
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