Full Breakdown
Transition of Development for Cities: Skylines Franchise
11/17/2025, 10:57:09 PM
Announcement of Developer Change
Paradox Interactive has announced a significant shift in the development of the Cities: Skylines franchise, transitioning from longtime developer Colossal Order to Iceflake Studios, an internal studio owned by Paradox. This decision, described as a mutual agreement, aims to ensure a promising future for the franchise. The announcement was made on the Cities: Skylines II forum, highlighting the thoughtful nature of the decision.
Background of the Partnership
Colossal Order, founded in 2009, gained recognition with its first title, Cities in Motion, in 2011. The studio achieved its greatest success with Cities: Skylines, released in 2015, which has sold over 12 million copies. The partnership with Paradox Interactive, which began over 15 years ago, allowed Colossal Order to maintain its independence while Paradox controlled the Cities IP. This unique arrangement enabled Colossal Order to pursue its creative goals while benefiting from Paradox's publishing capabilities.
Future Development Plans
Colossal Order will continue to oversee development of Cities: Skylines II until 2026, focusing on final updates, including the addition of bike features and bug fixes. Iceflake Studios will officially take over all development responsibilities starting in 2026, including ongoing updates, expansions, and the long-delayed console versions of Cities: Skylines II. Iceflake's Studio Manager, Lasse Liljedahl, expressed enthusiasm for the transition, stating that it is an "immense honor and a great responsibility" to lead such a renowned franchise.
Challenges Faced by Cities: Skylines II
The announcement comes in the wake of a troubled launch for Cities: Skylines II in October 2023, which was criticized for performance issues and missing features that players had come to expect from the original game. Colossal Order acknowledged these challenges and has been working on patches to improve the game's performance. Despite these efforts, the sequel has received mixed reviews on platforms like Steam, contrasting sharply with the original's positive reception.
Official Statements & Responses
Mariina Hallikainen, CEO of Colossal Order, expressed gratitude for the partnership with Paradox, stating, "For over fifteen years, the Cities Series and our partnership with Paradox have been a defining part of our journey." She expressed confidence that the franchise would continue to thrive under Paradox's leadership. Mattias Lilja, Deputy CEO of Paradox Interactive, praised the achievements of Colossal Order, noting the long-standing relationship and the community's support.
Criticism & Opposition
While the transition aims to revitalize the franchise, some industry observers speculate that the decision may stem from the difficulties faced during the launch of Cities: Skylines II. Critics have pointed to the game's rough start and the delays in console releases as potential factors that strained the relationship between Colossal Order and Paradox.
What's Next for the Franchise
Iceflake Studios is expected to share its development plans for Cities: Skylines II in the near future, focusing on enhancing the game and addressing community feedback. As Colossal Order prepares to move on to new projects, the future of the Cities franchise remains in the hands of Iceflake, which aims to build on the legacy established by its predecessor.
