Paradox CEO on a shopping spree, added 50,000 more shares to his portfolio. Personally, I like to see this.
9 Likes
This move wasn’t on my bingo card. I wonder if Iceflake is taking this on as well, while simultaneously developing Skylines 2?
6 Likes
Paradox’s Deputy CEO Mattias Lilja was interviewed by NB regarding the company’s game development and pipeline.
Eight games are reportedly coming by 2030, so even though it has been quiet lately in terms of news (excluding the constant barrage of DLC), there is a lot in the pipeline. Known games include Prison Architect 2, which seems to have gotten stuck in said pipeline, and Transport Fever 3, which was mentioned earlier in the thread, as well as that Lego game reported indirectly yesterday—which Mattias obviously doesn’t mention since the interview was done earlier and PDX themselves haven’t whispered a word about it.
My understanding is that in recent years, the communication strategy has shifted more toward “letting actions speak for themselves.”
Otherwise, the pipeline contains new IPs as well as sequels, which is no surprise. There are surely Hoi5 and Stellaris 2 (or equivalent) projects well into development.
Mattias dodges questions about Colossal Order, but since Iceflake is their own studio, he claims the development of Cities: Skylines II is now much more straightforward.
The interview can be read at least via the Nordnet feed:
Paradox’s stock is priced at multiples of a high-quality “cash cow” compounder that performs with steady inconsistency, just like in recent years. In that sense, 8 major games (a few will almost certainly slip past 2030, something always blows up there :D), even if a couple are sequels, is an interesting outlook if they succeed in growing the player base.
At least the very extensive insider buying this spring, most recently this one, would suggest that the insiders at least see the development pipeline as promising overall. 
Another thing. Here was a good video, in my opinion, about the problems with strategy games (Paradox and the Civ series). Especially regarding Paradox, the growth over the last ten years has been staggering, but the video essayist ponders whether the limits of the niche have already been reached. In addition, player expectations are rising and initial game reviews are weakening. It is difficult to satisfy the diverse needs of a larger community.
7 Likes
Or perhaps Iceflake had already developed the game quite far, given that an age rating has already been issued in Korea. My understanding is that this indicates the game is nearly finished. Once Iceflake’s hands started to become free, they might have been thrown the… renovation of Cities Skylines 2 itself. I guess you could call the massive task ahead a “total plumbing overhaul.”
The stock has continued to sag, which is interesting considering what a success Lego games have been for the last ~30 years. Of course, the biggest hits involve another powerful brand, like Star Wars. But still, there is undoubtedly potential here.
Perhaps the market thinks Paradox will botch this one too.
6 Likes
You are actually quite right about this, and it’s likely that the course of events could indeed be something like that.
We don’t really know much about the game yet, but previous Lego games have had significantly simpler mechanics, mostly of the action-adventure type.
If they are creating a clearly more complex entity here, and the target audience is partially different from the average Paradox consumer, then launch blunders might not be forgiven as easily. What I’m trying to say is that, in addition to the potential, there is also genuine risk involved.
Of course, the target audience could also be ~7-10 year olds, who will certainly be forgiving.
It will be interesting to see; I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what comes out!
4 Likes
It should be noted that Traveller’s Tales’ Lego games are not the only Lego games that have been released over the years. Perhaps Lego City Skylines will generate interest as a sort of spiritual successor to LEGO Creator.
Builder’s Journey, released a few years ago, was also more of a puzzle game focused on building and seemed to be quite a hit. Personally, I have high expectations for Lego City Skylines because the LEGO brand is so strong, and I believe people are craving games where they actually get to build something with Legos.
4 Likes
moving to the main list next Tuesday
6 Likes