Paradox Interactive CEO Admits Mistakes, Highlights Life by You Cancellation
Paradox Interactive's CEO has acknowledged missteps in recent game development, notably the cancellation of the highly anticipated life simulator, Life by You. This admission came during the company's July 25th financial earnings report.
CEO Fredrik Wester's Statement
While Paradox Interactive reported strong overall financial performance driven by established titles like Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, Wester openly admitted strategic errors. He specifically cited the cancellation of Life by You as a significant misstep, stating, "It is clear that we have made the wrong calls in several projects, especially outside of our core."
Life by You and Other Setbacks
Life by You, intended as a competitor to the Sims franchise, represented a departure from Paradox's usual strategy game focus. Despite a substantial $20 million investment and initial promise, the game's June 17th cancellation highlighted the company's challenges. Wester explained the decision by stating the game "did not meet our expectations."
Further compounding the difficulties were issues with other recent releases. Cities: Skylines 2 experienced performance problems, and Prison Architect 2 faced multiple delays despite platform certification. These setbacks underscore the need for a reevaluation of Paradox's development strategies.
Focusing on Core Strengths
Wester emphasized the company's continued success with core franchises like Crusader Kings and Stellaris, providing a foundation for future growth. He stated, "Amid the well-deserved self-criticism, it is worth reminding ourselves that we have solid footing because the foundation of our business is doing well." By acknowledging its mistakes and concentrating on its core strengths, Paradox Interactive aims to regain momentum and deliver high-quality games to its players.
