Cities Skylines 2 Development Flaws Spotted Pre-Launch, Paradox CEO Reveals
The first anniversary of Cities Skylines 2 is approaching on Thursday, October 24. Despite significant improvements, the game still struggles to win over fans. In a recent discussion, Paradox Interactive's deputy CEO Mattias Lilja and chief creative officer Henrik Fåhraeus opened up about the Cities Skylines 2 development flaws identified before the game's launch.
Paradox Addresses Development Flaws in Cities Skylines 2
Early Recognition of Issues
Lilja admitted that they noticed Cities Skylines 2 development flaws even before release. "We saw some flaws for the games before release, but we didn’t really think that it was that serious," Fåhraeus said. This acknowledgment highlights the challenges faced during development.
Impact on Player Trust
The game's turbulent launch affected player trust significantly. Colossal Order CEO Mariina Hallikainen mentioned that restoring this trust would be challenging. Multiple updates have improved the game, but there's still work to be done to address the development flaws fully.
Competition and Market Position
Concerns About Competitors
When asked if they're worried about competitors capitalizing on the Cities Skylines 2, Lilja admitted it's a possibility. "We don’t dominate that genre like we do with grand strategy, so it’s a more vulnerable position," he stated.
Focusing on Game Quality
Fåhraeus emphasized their inward focus. "We look mostly at the quality of the games as they are, rather than worrying too much about competitors," he explained. Addressing Cities Skylines 2 remains their primary goal.
Moving Forward After Development Flaws
Engaging the Player Community
To overcome the development flaws of the Cities Skylines 2, Paradox is increasing player engagement. "We have more beta tests, talk to them, listen to their feedback better," Fåhraeus said. This approach aims to rebuild trust and improve the game.
Positive Trends and Future Outlook
Momentum seems to be shifting positively. Victoria 3, another Paradox title, improved its Steam rating after addressing issues. Although Cities Skylines 2 currently has only 53% positive reviews, the team remains hopeful. "We are going to make these games great," Fåhraeus assured.