Paradox Interactive has announced the cancellation of "Life by You," its in-development competitor to "The Sims." The company revealed that despite several delays to its early access launch, the project has now been scrapped.
Paradox Interactive has announced the cancellation of "Life by You," its in-development competitor to "The Sims."Image from SteamPowered
Paradox Interactive Canceling 'Life by You'
A few weeks ago, Paradox Interactive postponed the Early Access release of "Life by You" to review the game's development status comprehensively. After this evaluation period, they concluded that the path to achieving a satisfactory release was too uncertain and lengthy.
First unveiled in 2023, the game boasted ambitious features such as real-time town simulation without loading screens. However, according to a forum post by Paradox's deputy CEO Mattias Lilja, the game encountered significant issues that were challenging to resolve even with extended development time.
Lilja acknowledged that the game had its strengths, but the company reached a point where they felt that further development time would not bring the game close enough to a satisfactory version, leading them to discontinue its development.
The game was initially slated for an early access launch in September 2023 but has faced successive delays. It was postponed to March this year and June, then indefinitely in May before being canceled outright.
This decision reflects the complexities of game development and highlights the company's dedication to delivering polished and high-quality games to players.
It serves as a reminder of the demanding nature of creating innovative gaming experiences and the importance of balancing ambition with practicality in the industry.
"Life by You" is not the only venture aiming to reinvent "The Sims." Former XCOM developers have launched Midsummer Studios to create their own life simulation game.
Established by ex-Firaxis developers Jake Solomon and Will Miller, this marks a new chapter for the duo known for their work on "XCOM," "Civilization: Beyond Earth," and "Marvel's Midnight Suns."
The studio's debut project, a next-generation life simulation game, is set to be helmed by Grant Rodiek, a former director of "The Sims," who joins as executive producer.
According to the studio's announcement, their first project focuses on player-driven narratives, enabling communities to create memorable moments through player creativity. Currently, the project lacks a title and release date.
On the other hand, EA is also actively expanding "The Sims" franchise, working on a new free-to-play game known as Project Rene. During a recent Behind The Sims presentation, the company disclosed significant features, particularly focusing on its pricing strategy and how it will coexist alongside existing titles in the series.
Regarding pricing, EA revealed that "Project Rene" will be available for free download, a move consistent with "The Sims 4" becoming free-to-play last year.
EA explained in a blog post that Project Rene will be accessible for players without requiring a subscription, the purchase of the core game, or dealing with energy mechanics upon its full launch.
