Paradox Interactive has announced a significant change in its partnership with Colossal Order, the developer behind the popular Cities: Skylines series, after 15 years. The split is mutual, allowing Colossal Order to pursue new ventures while development on Cities: Skylines 2 transitions to Iceflake Studios, an internal studio of Paradox. Cities: Skylines 2, released in October 2023, faced criticism for performance issues, which impacted console release timelines. Colossal Order expressed gratitude for the collaboration and a commitment to the franchise's future, while Iceflake Studios is ready to take over ongoing updates and expansions starting in 2026.
What impact will the developer change have on Cities: Skylines 2?The developer change is expected to bring fresh perspectives and improvements to Cities: Skylines 2, as Iceflake Studios has a decade of experience in city-building games. This transition aims to address performance issues and enhance future content, ensuring the game remains engaging for its loyal community.
Cities: Skylines originally launched in 2015 and quickly gained a dedicated fanbase due to its robust city-building mechanics, allowing players to create and manage their cities. The franchise has since expanded with multiple expansions, bridging a blend of simulation and creativity that resonates with gamers seeking intricate management experiences. The pivot in development may revitalize the series as it faces competition and evolving player expectations.
Casey Loh
Casey Loh is a tech-savvy writer who specializes in the intersection of gaming and technology. With a background in computer science, Casey brings a technical lens to her reviews, breaking down the nuts and bolts of game engines, graphics, and AI innovation.
Read more articles from Casey Loh
Comments
Honestly, this studio shuffle feels like passing the controller to a friend who's been grinding city-builders for years. Let's hope Iceflake's fresh approach can smooth out those frame rate dips while keeping the creative soul of the series intact.
Honestly, this feels like a classic new game plus moment for the franchise—sometimes a fresh dev team is exactly what's needed to optimize and evolve a beloved series. Here's hoping Iceflake Studios can patch up the performance woes and deliver the city-builder experience fans have been waiting for.