Life By You's Cancellation Was A Mistake Says Paradox Interactive's CEO

Paradox Interactive CEO admits missteps, highlighting Life by You cancellation

Paradox Interactive CEO Fredrik Wester openly acknowledged strategic errors in a recent financial report (July 25th), specifically citing the cancellation of Life by You as a significant misstep. While the company boasts strong financial performance driven by established titles like Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, Wester admitted, "We've made wrong calls on several projects, particularly outside our core strengths. The core business is thriving, but we had to make the tough decision to cancel Life by You."

The Life by You cancellation represents a departure from Paradox's typical strategy game releases, aiming for the life simulation market, a potential competitor to The Sims. Despite a substantial investment nearing $20 million and initial promise, the June 17th cancellation reflected the game's failure to meet expectations, according to Wester.

Further compounding the challenges, Cities: Skylines 2 launched with performance problems, and Prison Architect 2 faced repeated delays despite platform certification. These setbacks underscore the need for a strategic review of Paradox's game development approach.

Wester emphasized the company's resilience, rooted in the continued success of core franchises like Crusader Kings and Stellaris. He stated, "Despite the necessary self-criticism, our core business remains strong." By acknowledging errors and refocusing on its strengths, Paradox Interactive aims to reassure fans of its commitment to quality gaming experiences.