After approximately half a decade in development, Paradox Interactive has made the decision to cancel “Life by You,” a game initially positioned as the first noteworthy competitor to “The Sims 4” in years. Originally announced in March 2023, “Life by You” was the debut project from Paradox Interactive’s Tectonic studio, which was established in 2019 in Berkley, California.
Helmed by Rod Humble, a former EA executive and head of the “The Sims” label, “Life by You” aimed to offer a fresh take on life simulation. Despite its anticipated launch, Paradox Interactive concluded that the game was insufficient in key areas, ultimately leading to its cancellation.
Paradox Labels Life by You Cancellation as a ‘Clear Failure’
Some Key Elements Were Missing from Life by You
The termination of Life by You on June 17 shocked many, given its potential as a significant competitor to The Sims. Deputy CEO Mattias Lilja of Paradox Interactive revealed that the company failed to meet both its own and fans’ expectations, marking the decision as a “clear failure.”
Paradox’s development team, led by Lilja, found themselves entangled in the minutiae of the game after its first two delays in September 2023 and March 2024. According to Lilja, this focus on small details distracted them from seeing the bigger picture, leading to the recent mid-May re-evaluation of the entire project.
Some Key Elements Were Missing from Life by You
After extensive reviews, Paradox concluded that a third delay for Life by You was not viable. Lilja explained that continuing to funnel resources into a project lacking crucial elements was not sustainable. Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the game had potential, evidenced by its “promising qualities,” which had justified its development persistence.
While specifics on Life by You‘s deficits were not disclosed, Lilja candidly discussed the inherent risks of game development. He acknowledged that mistakenly investing years in a project only to cancel it is a harsh reality publishers face. Such missteps, according to him, are significant and warrant thorough examination to prevent repetition.
This decision is a considerable letdown for life simulation enthusiasts, especially since Life by You was poised to be a serious contender against The Sims. This incident also adds to Paradox Interactive’s recent string of setbacks, notably the problematic launch of Cities Skylines 2 and its underwhelming first DLC, Beach Properties, which compelled the company to offer the expansion for free in April 2024 due to negative reception.
