Paradox Interactive has announced a significant shift in its development strategy, parting ways with Colossal Order, the studio that has been instrumental in the creation of the Cities Skylines series for the past 15 years. This decision follows a series of disappointing reviews for recent titles, including Surviving Mars: Relaunched and Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, which garnered only 41% and 56% positive feedback on Steam, respectively. While Europa Universalis 5 received a warmer reception, the publisher finds itself at a crossroads, needing to reassess its approach to downloadable content (DLC) for the beloved city-building franchise.
Transitioning to New Horizons
In a joint statement shared on the Paradox Plaza forum, Colossal Order expressed gratitude to both Paradox and the fan community for their unwavering support throughout the years. CEO Mariina Hallikainen conveyed excitement about the studio’s future endeavors, emphasizing a desire to channel their experience and creativity into new projects that align with their long-term vision.
On behalf of Paradox, deputy CEO Mattias Lilja acknowledged the remarkable achievements of the partnership, expressing eagerness to continue serving the passionate Cities: Skylines community. He assured fans that the company remains committed to delivering fresh content and new experiences.
Taking the reins from Colossal Order will be Iceflake Studios, one of Paradox’s internal management game studios. Colossal Order will continue to support the game with a forthcoming bike patch and the introduction of Old Town buildings until the end of the year, after which Iceflake will officially take over in 2026.
According to a detailed FAQ document, Iceflake’s responsibilities will encompass a range of tasks, including:
- Patches and polish for the current version
- Ongoing work on the Editor and console editions
- Future expansions and content packs
Paradox has emphasized that the core identity of Cities: Skylines 2 will remain unchanged, despite the transition to a new developer.
Iceflake Studios brings a diverse portfolio, primarily focused on mobile games, with titles such as Pirates Don’t Run and Ice Lakes. On the PC front, they have developed Premium Pool Arena and Race Arcade, showcasing their versatility in different gaming genres. Their sole venture into city-building, Surviving the Aftermath, received mixed reviews, achieving a 69 rating on Metacritic and a 53% positive rating on Steam in recent months, raising some concerns among Cities Skylines enthusiasts.
As Paradox navigates this transition, the future of Cities Skylines 2 remains uncertain, but fans can anticipate a period of adjustment as the company adapts to the new development team at the helm of this strategic title.
