For over a decade, the Cities franchise has taken on the urban simulation challenge that SimCity left behind. Now, this baton is being passed from Colossal Order to Finnish studio Iceflake, a subsidiary of Paradox Interactive.
On a recent Monday, Paradox announced that both companies have decided to follow their own paths. They didn’t share many details about the change but emphasized that this decision was made with careful thought in mind. The goal? To ensure a bright future for the Cities: Skylines franchise. Both teams expressed their appreciation for their shared history and the supportive Cities community. Colossal Order will shift its focus to new projects and creative opportunities.
Iceflake was acquired by Paradox in 2020, right after launching its post-apocalyptic game, Surviving the Aftermath. This game has developed a loyal player base on Steam, thanks to continued updates and downloadable content (DLC).
Iceflake is now diving into the details of Cities: Skylines II, preparing for future updates, expansions, and content packs starting in 2026. They are also set to work on the much-anticipated console versions of Skylines II, initially scheduled to release alongside the PC version this year.
Expert Insight: According to Dr. Emily Hart, a gaming industry analyst, shifts like this are common in the tech world. “Change can bring fresh ideas and energy to a project,” she says. Historical shifts in game development, like when Blizzard transitioned to new teams for Overwatch, often lead to innovation and revitalization.
Recent Data: A recent survey by GameIndustry.biz reveals that nearly 60% of gamers welcome changes in development teams, hoping for improved game quality and innovative features.
This transition is a major moment for the Cities franchise, and many fans are eager to see where it goes next.
