Paradox Interactive, known for its diverse range of strategy and simulation games, had high hopes for "Life By You" as a strong competitor to "The Sims 4". However, Deputy CEO Mattias Lilja recently announced that the project has been put on hold indefinitely. This decision follows multiple delays in the game's Early Access launch.
Originally, Life By You was scheduled to enter Early Access in September 2023. The release date was then moved to March 5, and then to June 4. But on May 20th, Paradox Interactive postponed the game once again, this time without giving a new date.
Developer Speaks Out On Life by You Controversy And Sudden Delay
Willem Delventhal, a former developer at Paradox Tectonic, spoke out on LinkedIn regarding the controversy surrounding Life by You. According to Delventhal, the simulation game was performing "extremely well" before Paradox delayed its release. The team had surpassed internal metrics and received a thumbs-up just weeks before the planned launch on June 4, 2024. However, the game was postponed indefinitely."Two weeks before launch we were told we wouldn't be launching. And just now that we've all lost our jobs." Delventhal shared on LinkedIn. The team was not given any reasons for the delay. They spent a month in limbo, trying to prove their worth but received almost no feedback. The closure of the studio was also not communicated directly to the developers; they found out through a public announcement."To be honest, I have guesses about what happened," Delventhal added "this industry has become a place in which you can deliver more than expected, have AA money behind you, and still have the rug pulled two weeks before launch."
Life By You: Paradox Interactive Shelves Ambitious Life Simulation Game
In a detailed statement on Paradox Interactive's website, CEO Mattias Lilja explained that a thorough re-evaluation of the game's status had been conducted a few weeks earlier. The team felt that essential elements were still missing from the game. Despite considering another delay, it became clear that the road to a successful release was still too long and uncertain.Lilja mentioned that each delay had led to noticeable improvements in Life By You. However, the game still lacked the desired quality expected from such a title. Faced with the reality that the game might never meet those expectations, the decision was made to stop development.The potential downfall of Life By You was hinted at earlier, when CEO Fredrik Wester commented on the Paradox Interactive website that the game was falling significantly short of its goals.
Despite the setbacks, Paradox Interactive's transparency about the project's status reflects their commitment to quality and player satisfaction.