# Game Dev Story vs After Inc.

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Game Dev Story at none against After Inc.'s 14. Game Dev Story also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). After Inc.'s advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and price ($1.99 vs $4.99). On rating, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Game Dev Story costs $4.99 and After Inc. $1.99 up front. After Inc. sells 14 one-off in-app purchases. Game Dev Story asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Game Dev Story against 4.8 for After Inc.. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: After Inc. has 17K ratings behind it against 3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 96% of Game Dev Story's written reviews are positive against 89% of After Inc.'s.

Game Dev Story ships an update every 4 months, After Inc. weekly. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Game Dev Story | After Inc. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$1.99** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-story/id396085661/reviews)** | [4.8 (17K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/after-inc/id1631859420/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3K | **17K** |
| Positive reviews | **95.7% of reviews** | 88.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | #82 | **#12** |
| Size | 74 MB | 288 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Kairosoft Co.,Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/381477233) | [Ndemic Creations](https://appshunter.io/developer/525818842) |

## What reviewers say

### Game Dev Story

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/game-dev-story/id396085661)

**Currently charting:** #82 Top Paid · Strategy, #84 Top Paid · Simulation (US App Store)

Build your own game development studio from the ground up. Hire and train staff, research new genres, and develop hit games to conquer the industry. Create your own consoles and aim for a million-selling title.

**Highlights:** Manage game company, Develop own game console, Train staff members, Unlock new genres, Discover popular combinations, Develop for latest platforms

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun game
- 👍 Simple, creative, and fun
- 👍 Nostalgic and fun
- 👍 Relaxing and enjoyable
- 👍 Great time-killer

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and crashes on newer devices
- 🐛 Lack of explanation for some mechanics
- 🐛 Difficulty in obtaining certain resources (e.g. hardware engineer)

**Reported bugs**

- Blackouts causing loss of progress
- Compatibility issues with newer devices
- Difficulty in obtaining certain resources

**Requested features**

- More consoles and game genres
- Ability to customize console designs
- Expanded content and longer playtime
- More staff and office options
- Improved late-game progression and challenges


### After Inc.

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/after-inc/id1631859420)

**Currently charting:** #12 Top Paid · Simulation, #12 Top Paid · Strategy, #33 Top Paid · Games, #48 Top Paid (US App Store)

Rebuild civilization after a zombie apocalypse by building a settlement, exploring, and scavenging for resources. Make difficult societal decisions and defend against zombie threats in a persistent campaign.

**Highlights:** Build and expand settlements, Explore a post-apocalyptic world, Scavenge for resources, Make difficult societal decisions, Defend against zombie infestations, Research new technologies, Persistent campaign with multiple settlements

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Survival Guide | $2.99 | one-time |
| New Leaders | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cheats & Punishment | $4.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Pack (big discount) | $4.99 | one-time |
| Season 2 Pass (Discount) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Critical Mass | $6.99 | one-time |
| Season 1 Pack (discount) | $6.99 | one-time |
| Beyond the Bunkers | $6.99 | one-time |
| Shadows of the Past | $6.99 | one-time |
| Season 2 Pass | $9.99 | one-time |
| Season 1 Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Pack (discount) | $11.99 | one-time |
| Ultimate Pack | $14.99 | one-time |
| Season 1 Pack (full) | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great game
- 🚀 Fun and addictive gameplay
- 💡 Interesting concept and mechanics
- 👍 Offline play
- 👍 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔒 Content locked behind paywall
- 🔒 Lack of free play mode
- 🔒 Limited number of missions
- 🐛 Scrolling issues in menus

**Reported bugs**

- Sudden zombie attacks crippling settlements
- Moral system being too punishing
- Difficulty balancing issues

**Requested features**

- Endless/sandbox mode
- More varied mission types
- Ability to customize settlement
- Improved camera controls
- More content updates and expansions


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Game Dev Story free?

Game Dev Story costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is After Inc. free?

After Inc. costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Game Dev Story or After Inc.?

Game Dev Story is rated higher. Game Dev Story averages 4.9 out of 5 from 3K ratings, while After Inc. averages 4.8 from 17K ratings.

### Do Game Dev Story or After Inc. have ads?

Neither Game Dev Story nor After Inc. shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Game Dev Story or After Inc.?

Game Dev Story ships an update every 4 months, and After Inc. weekly. Most recently, Game Dev Story was updated on October 30, 2026 and After Inc. on October 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Game Dev Story or After Inc.?

Game Dev Story currently peaks at #82 in the App Store charts, and After Inc. at #12. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*