Paradox CEO Laments 'Life by You' Axing

Paradox Interactive CEO admits missteps, highlighting Life by You cancellation

Paradox Interactive CEO Fredrik Wester recently acknowledged strategic errors within the company, specifically citing the cancellation of the life simulation game, Life by You, as a key example. This admission came during the company's July 25th financial earnings report.

While Paradox Interactive reported strong overall financial performance driven by established titles like Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, Wester openly admitted to miscalculations in several projects outside their core competency. He stated, "It is clear that we have made the wrong calls in several projects, especially outside of our core," further emphasizing the difficult decision to cancel Life by You.

Life by You, intended as a competitor to the Sims franchise, represented a departure from Paradox's usual strategy game releases. Despite a significant investment of nearly $20 million and initial promise, the game's cancellation on June 17th underscored the company's unmet expectations.

Further compounding the company's challenges were setbacks with recent releases. Cities: Skylines 2 faced performance issues, and Prison Architect 2 experienced repeated delays despite platform certification. These difficulties highlight the need for a reevaluation of Paradox's game development approach.

Wester concluded by emphasizing the company's strong foundation built on the success of core franchises like Crusader Kings and Stellaris. 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 their mistakes and refocusing on their strengths, Paradox Interactive aims to regain momentum and deliver high-quality games to its players.