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's CEO, Fredrik Wester, acknowledged strategic errors in a recent financial report (July 25th), particularly concerning the cancellation of their life simulation game, Life by You. While the company boasts strong financial performance thanks to flagship titles like Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis, Wester openly admitted, "We made the wrong calls in several projects, especially outside of our core." The cancellation of Life by You, a significant departure from their usual strategy game focus, is a prime example.

Despite a nearly $20 million investment and initial promise, Life by You's June 17th cancellation stemmed from the game failing to meet internal expectations. This setback, coupled with challenges faced by other recent releases, underscores the need for strategic reevaluation.

Cities: Skylines 2 grappled with performance issues, and Prison Architect 2 experienced repeated delays despite platform certification. These difficulties, however, are contrasted by the strong performance of core titles. Wester emphasized the company's stable foundation built on successful franchises like Crusader Kings and Stellaris, stating, "Amid the well-deserved self-criticism, our core 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 their fanbase.