Paradox Development Studio

Paradox Development Studio is a developer and publisher.

Paradox Development Studio Webpage, Facebook

Paradox Development Studio is a Swedish video game developer based in Stockholm. The company is led by Johan Andersson, who formerly worked at Funcom. Over time, the team has become known for producing highly complex strategy titles with advanced gameplay systems. It's worth noting that most of the team's projects draw inspiration from historical events.

History

Beginnings and internal divisions

The studio's history dates back to 1995, when it was founded in Stockholm. In 1999, the company was divided into two branches: Paradox Interactive, which would focus on computer games, and the newly formed Paradox Entertainment, which would specialize in board and role-playing games. The setup remained unchanged until 2012, when the company was divided again. From that point on, Paradox Development Studio focused on developing video games, while Paradox Interactive handled their global publishing.

Debut and setting the course for future development

The team made its debut with Europa Universalis, an intricate strategy game set in Europe and spanning three turbulent centuries, from the Age of Discovery (1492) to the Napoleonic Wars (1792). The game was set on a two-dimensional map divided into 700 provinces. Each province could be conquered or colonized, and players' actions influenced not only their own nation's fate but also that of neighboring countries. The key to success lay in managing the economy and developing the army, but also in maintaining diplomacy, forging alliances, and waging wars.

Europa Universalis set the foundation for the team's development in the years to come. The studio focused on creating complex grand strategy games, most of which were set in historical periods. Over the next dozen years or so, the team gained international recognition through series such as Hearts of Iron, Crusader Kings, and the previously mentioned Europa Universalis.

The development of proprietary technology…

It's worth noting that in 2007, the studio developed its own graphics engine, the Clausewitz Engine (named after Prussian general Carl von Clausewitz), which made its debut in Europa Universalis III. The technology continued to evolve over the years - the first game to use Clausewitz 2 was Sengoku, which launched in 2011. While developing this technology, the studio prioritized modding support, which soon helped foster a large and active community around its games.

…and a few more (or less) significant sideways moves

Over the years, the team has also ventured into a few side projects. For instance, in 2011, the studio finished Hearts of Iron: The Card Game, a browser-based collectible card game that, like other Hearts of Iron titles, takes place during World War II. In 2015, the studio released Magicka: Wizard Wars, a MOBA spin-off of the Magicka series. In 2016, the studio added Stellaris to its catalog - a real-time strategy game with RPG elements focused on space exploration. The game was met with such a positive reception from both players and critics that it led to the release of several expansions over the next few years.

The resounding success of Crusader Kings III

Of course, in the meantime, the developers continued to release new installments of their flagship series, along with other titles related to their core genres. Many of these games continued to receive support from the developers long after their initial release. In 2019, the grand strategy title Imperator: Rome was released, followed in June 2020 by Stellaris: Galaxy Command, a mobile spin-off of Stellaris.

However, the studio's greatest success came with the release of Crusader Kings III in September 2020. Its impressive content and wide range of features contributed to record-breaking sales. As analysts at SuperData reported in October 2020, Crusader Kings III had sold 1.1 million units by the end of September, earning it the title of the fastest-selling strategy game in history.

A major restructuring and its consequences

Paradox Interactive founded a new studio, Paradox Tinto, in June 2020, entrusting it with the ongoing development of Europa Universalis IV. The first product of the studio's work was the Leviathan expansion, which was met with a lukewarm response from players on Steam.

Shortly after its release, Paradox Development Studio - not involved in the project's production - announced a major internal restructuring. The studio was split into three divisions, each focusing on a different project. PDS Green was assigned to the Stellaris series, PDS Red to Crusader Kings III, and PDS Gold to ongoing expansions for Hearts of Iron IV. Imperator: Rome was affected by the reorganization; its development was put on hold, and the team was redirected to work on higher-priority projects. The suspension was meant to be temporary, with plans to recruit new employees for a dedicated team to manage the project.

Over time, some changes took place in the structure described above. PDS Black managed Crusader Kings III, while PDS Red focused on the development of a separate project: Victoria 3, which debuted on PC in October 2022. The game was well received by industry media, earning an average score of 83/100 on Metacritic. On Steam, players were less enthusiastic, giving the game "mixed" reviews. Just over six months after it came out, the game got its first big expansion, Voice of the People.