The British studio Ndemic Creations, known for the strategy about epidemics Plague Inc. In 2012, which received more than 190 million downloads, unexpectedly announced the release of a sequel. According to lead designer James Vaughn, he wanted to make a «happier and more optimistic» game about the post-pandemic rebuilding that players in Plague Inc.
The British studio Ndemic Creations, known for the strategy about epidemics Plague Inc. In 2012, which received more than 190 million downloads, unexpectedly announced the release of a sequel. According to lead designer James Vaughn, he wanted to make a «happier and more optimistic» game about the post-pandemic rebuilding that players in Plague Inc.
Plague Inc. is a real-time strategy simulator inspired by the film «Contagion» directed by Steven Soderbergh. In it, the player creates and evolves a pathogen to destroy the human population with a deadly pandemic. The game uses an epidemic model with a complex and realistic set of variables to simulate the spread and severity of the plague.
Plague Inc. was positively received by critics and took second place in IGN Game of the Year 2012 in the category «Best Strategy Game». Following major viral outbreaks such as the 2014-16 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, the game has seen a large influx of new users. According to Ndemic Creations, Plague Inc. already downloaded more than 190 million times.
After Plague Inc. James Vaughn and his studio released Rebel Inc. — a strategic game about political choices made in the context of growing insurgent movements around the world. It also succeeded and found many commonalities with modern riots. But for his next game, After Inc., the creator wanted to do something less grim and more about building a better world after the zombie apocalypse.
«The world is lush and beautiful. Those who survived suffered hardships, but they are alive and able to rebuild. The only downside is the zombies, but that’s not a problem that can’t be solved with a few nails stuck in a cricket bat!», — Vaughn said of the new project.
According to him, many people worry that our games tend to predict the future. «Unlike our other games, I’m happy to announce that After Inc. not based on any real situation. No, it is still too early to worry about a real zombie apocalypse…», — the game designer reassured.
Currently, After Inc. released on mobile for $2, which Vaughn says is a «huge gamble» for the studio, and he’s not sure this monetization model will work. Plague Inc.'s success provided the only opportunity to release the game in this way. and Rebel Inc.
But just like with these games, the developers plan to support the game for years after launch, believing that the «long tail» will keep the game active. In the case of After Inc. ranks 2nd among paid simulators in the Apple Store, and in Google Play it has been downloaded more than 10,000 times. The game should be released in early access on Steam next year.
