Gamers are \"Less Accepting\" of Buggy Releases, Publisher Learns

Paradox Interactive Shifts Strategy After Game Setbacks

Following the cancellation of Life By You and the troubled launch of Cities: Skylines 2, Paradox Interactive is outlining its revised approach to game development and release. The company acknowledges a shift in player expectations and tolerance for post-launch bugs.

Higher Expectations, Less Patience

Paradox CEO Mattias Lilja and CCO Henrik Fahraeus discussed the changing landscape of player expectations in a recent interview with Rock Paper Shotgun. They noted increased player scrutiny and a decreased willingness to accept buggy releases. The poor reception of Cities: Skylines 2 highlighted this shift, prompting a reevaluation of their development processes. The company now emphasizes more rigorous pre-release testing and increased player involvement earlier in development. Fahraeus stated that broader pre-release testing for Cities: Skylines 2 would have been beneficial.

Delays and Cancellations: A Learning Experience

The indefinite delay of Prison Architect 2 underscores Paradox's commitment to quality. While acknowledging strong gameplay, Lilja cited technical challenges as the reason for the delay, emphasizing the need to meet heightened player expectations in a competitive market. The cancellation of Life By You stemmed from different challenges, ultimately deemed insurmountable to meet their quality standards. Lilja admitted a lack of full understanding of certain development issues contributed to the cancellation.

A Competitive Market Demands Quality

Lilja highlighted the "winner-takes-all" nature of the gaming industry, noting the increasing tendency for players to abandon games quickly, especially those with significant technical flaws. This trend, amplified in recent years, directly influences Paradox's renewed focus on delivering polished, bug-free experiences. The negative response to Cities: Skylines 2, including a joint apology and planned fan feedback summit, serves as a stark example of the consequences of releasing a flawed game. The delay of its first DLC further underscores the impact of these issues. The Life By You cancellation, while stemming from different issues, reinforces the company's commitment to meeting high player expectations.