Paradox cancels “several” unannounced projects to focus on its “proven gaming niches” • Eurogamer.net



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But still has 15 new titles in the works.

Paradox Interactive, the developer behind Crusader Kings 3 and Stellaris, has canceled “several” unannounced projects in order to focus on its “proven gaming niches.”

“Paradox Interactive was born and raised in strategy and management games,” said Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox, in connection with the announcement. “This is where we have our heart and mind and we are passionate about creating games that our players can enjoy over a long period of time. Therefore, we have further refined our pipeline to ensure that projects with the greatest potential have the necessary resources for the best possible development. “

Paradox says the decision to end development of unspecified titles was made in order to shift its resources and expertise to its “proven gaming niches and projects that better meet the company’s demands for performance and performance. risk ”. It says the cancellations will ultimately amount to around SEK 265million (£ 22.3million) in write-offs and impact its Q3 2021 pre-tax profit of around SEK 135million (approx. £ 11.3million).

This shuffle to Paradox’s development roster follows the departure of former Paradox CEO Ebba Ljungerud in September, and comes after a difficult period for the studio.

While the long-awaited Victoria 3 announcement earlier this year has thrilled fans, Paradox has undergone a series of disappointing releases lately, including last year’s Empire of Sin, the Europa Universalis 4 Leviathan expansion ( which was so disastrous, its director posted an apology), and other hiccups, including the recent expansion for Surviving Mars Below and Beyond, which remains at a very negative rating on Steam.

This year, it also pulled the troubled Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2 from its original developer Hardsuit Labs, indefinitely delaying its release in 2021 and, more worryingly, being accused of fostering a culture of bullying and discrimination. based on gender after a union survey of employees found that nearly half of the 133 participating employees had experienced “abuse”, with the problems considered “the worst for women”.

Although Paradox vowed to conduct a “thorough audit” of its processes following the report, eyebrows were raised a week later when Paradox’s new CEO, Fredrik Wester, publicly admitted to an incident of “inappropriate behavior. To another employee at a company-wide conference in 2018. “This is something I immediately and sincerely apologized for in person the following Monday as part of a process reviewed by HR, ”Wester wrote.

Despite these concerns and cancellations, Paradox Interactive remains positive, noting that it has 15 new projects in development behind the scenes, of which only four are currently announced: Victoria 3, Crusader Kings 3 for consoles, Shadowrun Trilogy for console, and Vampire: the Masquerade. – Bloodlines 2. This number does not include its various DLC projects, such as the upcoming Royal Court expansion for Crusader Kings 3.



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