Paradox Interactive CEO Admits Mistakes, Highlights Life by You Cancellation
Paradox Interactive's CEO, Fredrik Wester, recently acknowledged missteps in the company's recent financial report (July 25th), specifically citing the cancellation of the life simulation game, Life by You, as a significant error. While the company's core strategy titles (Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis) performed strongly, Wester admitted to flawed decisions in projects outside this core competency.
The cancellation of Life by You, a potential Sims competitor, represents a notable setback. Despite a significant investment (nearly $20 million) and initial promise, the game ultimately failed to meet expectations, leading to its cancellation on June 17th. This departure from Paradox's usual strategy game focus proved challenging.
Further compounding the difficulties were issues with recent releases. Cities: Skylines 2 struggled with performance problems, and Prison Architect 2 experienced repeated delays despite platform certification. These setbacks underscore the need for a strategic review of Paradox's game development processes.
Wester emphasized the company's strong foundation built on the success of its core franchises, like Crusader Kings and Stellaris. By acknowledging mistakes and refocusing on its strengths, Paradox Interactive aims to reassure fans of its commitment to quality game development.
