Buggy Launches Breed Distrust Among Gamers

Paradox Interactive Acknowledges Shifting Player Expectations After Game Setbacks

Following the cancellation of Life By You and the troubled launch of Cities: Skylines 2, Paradox Interactive has outlined its revised approach to game development, acknowledging a change in player expectations.

Paradox's CEO, Mattias Lilja, and CCO, Henrik Fahraeus, discussed the evolving player landscape with Rock Paper Shotgun. Lilja noted increased player expectations and a decreased tolerance for post-launch bug fixes. The Cities: Skylines 2 launch highlighted this shift, prompting a more rigorous approach to quality assurance. Fahraeus emphasized the importance of expanded pre-release player feedback, stating that broader testing would have benefited Cities: Skylines 2. They aim for greater transparency and player interaction before future releases.

The indefinite delay of Prison Architect 2 exemplifies this new strategy. While Lilja confirmed positive gameplay, technical issues necessitated the delay to ensure a high-quality release. He clarified that the delay differs from the Life By You cancellation, attributing it to unforeseen technical hurdles and the inability to maintain the desired development pace. These challenges, identified during internal reviews and user testing, proved more complex than anticipated.

Lilja highlighted the competitive gaming market, where players readily abandon subpar games, a trend amplified in recent years. This observation underscores the need for polished releases to retain players in today's demanding environment.

The disastrous launch of Cities: Skylines 2 resulted in a joint apology from Paradox and developer Colossal Order, along with a planned fan feedback summit. The game's first DLC was also delayed due to performance issues. The Life By You cancellation stemmed from a determination that the game wouldn't meet the standards of either Paradox or its players, partly due to a lack of full understanding of certain development challenges.

In summary, Paradox Interactive's revised approach prioritizes thorough quality assurance, increased player involvement in pre-release testing, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, bug-free experiences to meet evolving player expectations in a highly competitive market.