Paradox CEO Admits Error in Cancelling Life By You

Paradox Interactive's CEO has openly acknowledged the missteps that led to the cancellation of Life by You. Dive deeper into the CEO's reflections and the hurdles the company faced.

Paradox Interactive CEO Acknowledges Mistakes Amidst Setbacks

Wester Admits Wrong Decisions

Paradox Interactive navigated a year filled with both triumphs and trials. During the company's financial earnings report on July 25, CEO Fredrik Wester openly admitted to making several incorrect decisions, particularly highlighted by the cancellation of Life by You.

Wester emphasized that while Paradox's core games like Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis continued to perform strongly financially, the company encountered significant obstacles elsewhere. "It is evident that we have made incorrect decisions in several projects, especially those outside our core competencies," Wester stated. "Although our core business is thriving, we had to make the tough call to cancel Life by You."

Cancellation of Life by You and Other Challenges

Life by You, a life simulation game intended to rival The Sims, represented Paradox's venture beyond its traditional strategy game niche. Despite a significant investment of nearly $20 million and early promise, the game was canceled on June 17 after failing to meet the company's standards.

In addition to the Life by You debacle, Paradox Interactive grappled with issues surrounding their recent releases. Cities: Skylines 2 struggled with performance problems, while Prison Architect 2 experienced numerous delays, even after achieving certification across all platforms. These setbacks underscored the challenges Paradox faced, prompting a reevaluation of their game development approach.

Reflecting on the second quarter, Wester praised the resilience of Paradox's core offerings, such as Crusader Kings and Stellaris. "While we must be critical of our missteps, it's important to acknowledge that our foundation remains strong," he noted. By acknowledging their errors and refocusing on core strengths, Paradox Interactive aims to recommit to providing engaging and high-quality gaming experiences for their dedicated fanbase.