Buggy Releases Anger Gamers

Paradox Interactive: Learning from Mistakes, Prioritizing Quality Over Speed

Following the cancellation of Life By You and the troubled launch of Cities: Skylines 2, Paradox Interactive is re-evaluating its development approach. The company acknowledges shifting player expectations and a reduced tolerance for post-launch bug fixes.

Addressing Player Expectations

Paradox CEO Mattias Lilja and CCO Henrik Fahraeus discussed the evolving player landscape with Rock Paper Shotgun. They highlighted increased player expectations and decreased trust in developers' ability to effectively patch issues after release. The Cities: Skylines 2 launch served as a crucial learning experience, emphasizing the need for more rigorous pre-release quality assurance. Increased pre-release player feedback is also a key focus. Fahraeus stated that broader pre-launch player testing would have significantly benefited Cities: Skylines 2.

Delays and Cancellations: A Shift in Strategy

The indefinite delay of Prison Architect 2 reflects this new focus. While acknowledging positive gameplay, Lilja cited technical difficulties as the reason for the postponement. The delay prioritizes delivering a high-quality, stable product, acknowledging players' reduced acceptance of post-launch fixes, especially given budget constraints for gamers. The cancellation of Life By You, however, stemmed from unmet development goals, rather than solely technical hurdles. Lilja admitted to a lack of complete understanding of certain development challenges, taking full responsibility.

The Competitive Landscape and Player Retention

Lilja emphasized the highly competitive gaming market, where players are quicker to abandon flawed titles. This trend has intensified in recent years, influencing Paradox's commitment to improved quality control and pre-release testing. The negative reception to Cities: Skylines 2's launch, including a joint apology and proposed "fan feedback summit," underscores the company's commitment to course correction.