Paradox CEO: Canceling 'Life By You' was a mistake

Paradox Interactive's CEO admitted that they made erroneous decisions, which was underscored by the cancellation of Life by You. Read on to learn more about the CEO’s statement and the adversities it encountered.

Paradox Interactive CEO Acknowledges Mistakes Amidst ChallengesWester Admits Misguided Decisions

Prestigious Interactive found itself in a intricate situation, marked by accomplishments and obstacles this year. Its Esteemed CEO, Fredrik Wester, forthrightly confessed that they made some erroneous decisions at the company’s latest financial earnings report on July 25 in light of Life by You’s cancellation.

Wester unveiled that despite the company’s overall robust financial performance due to their existing games, like the Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, it encountered substantial challenges. "It is apparent that we have made the incorrect calls in several projects, especially outside of our core," he said. "Our core business has performed very well, but on the other hand, we made the arduous decision to cancel the release of Life by You."

Cancellation of Life by You and Other Hurdles

The development of its now-aborted life simulation game Life by You, a potential rival of Sims, marked Paradox's departure from its customary formula of releasing strategy games. Though the game exhibited potential and the company had already invested nearly $20 million in its development, they ultimately terminated its release last June 17. Wester declared that the game failed to "satisfy our expectations."

Beyond this development debacle, Paradox Interactive also encountered obstacles from their recent releases. The eagerly awaited Cities: Skylines 2 was hindered by performance issues, and Prison Architect 2 likewise suffered from recurring delays despite receiving certification on all platforms. These challenges intensified the difficulties Paradox experienced this year, emphasizing the necessity of reevaluating their game development approaches.

Reflecting on the second quarter's results, Wester underscored the company's resilience through their core games like Crusader Kings and Stellaris. "Amidst the justified self-criticism, it's crucial to remember our firm footing because the cornerstone of our business is thriving." By acknowledging their error and concentrating on their core games, Paradox Interactive intends to reaffirm its commitment to providing enjoyable and high-quality games for their enthusiasts.