Paradox Interactive CEO admits missteps, highlighting Life by You cancellation
Paradox Interactive's CEO has acknowledged strategic errors, notably the cancellation of its life simulation title, Life by You. This admission came during the company's recent financial report on July 25th.
CEO Fredrik Wester's frank assessment
While Paradox Interactive reported strong overall financial results driven by established franchises like Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, Wester openly admitted to missteps in several projects outside their core strategy game portfolio. The cancellation of Life by You was cited as a prime example of a "wrong call."
Life by You and other setbacks
Life by You, a significant departure from Paradox's usual strategy game focus, represented a foray into the life simulation genre, potentially competing with titles like The Sims. Despite a substantial $20 million investment and initial promise, the game's June 17th cancellation was attributed to its failure to meet internal expectations.
Further compounding these difficulties were performance issues with Cities: Skylines 2 and repeated delays for Prison Architect 2, despite platform certification. These challenges underscore the need for a reassessment of Paradox's development strategies.
Focus on core strengths
Wester emphasized the company's robust performance in its core strategy game segment, citing Crusader Kings and Stellaris as key contributors to their overall success. He stressed that despite the self-criticism, the company's foundation remains strong. By acknowledging their mistakes and refocusing on their core competencies, Paradox Interactive aims to reaffirm its dedication to providing high-quality gaming experiences for its players.
