Paradox Entertainment, a Swedish company known for its dense strategy games like Europa Universalis IV and Crusader Kings III, has recently faced some major issues. To address these problems, the company’s deputy CEO Mattias Lilja and chief creative officer Henrik Fåhraeus have been on an apology tour, promising a return to better times and a renewed focus on niche strategy games.
One of the main issues Paradox has faced is the rocky launch of Cities: Skylines 2 on Steam. The game was released in 2023 as an Early Access title with bugs and incomplete content, disappointing many fans. Lilja has acknowledged that poor hardware optimization and testing contributed to the negative reception of the game. The planned Xbox Series X/S and PS5 port has been delayed indefinitely as the company works to improve the game.
Another anticipated title, Prison Architect 2, has also faced challenges. The game, which was set to be a follow-up to the original hit, has been delayed multiple times due to technical issues and performance problems. Fåhraeus emphasized the need to polish the game before release to ensure a positive reception from players.
In addition to these issues, Paradox has faced setbacks with Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 and the cancellation of Life By You, a competitor to The Sims 4. Despite these challenges, the company remains committed to delivering quality games to its fans. Lilja has stated that action games like Bloodlines 2 are not Paradox’s specialty, and future titles in the series may be developed by other studios.
Looking ahead, Paradox is focused on returning to its core competencies and avoiding ambitious projects that may not align with its strengths. The company plans to cancel projects early on if they do not meet quality standards and stay true to its niche strategy game roots. With a renewed emphasis on core values and game development, Paradox aims to regain the trust of its players and deliver exceptional gaming experiences in the future.