This is a very curious one, Paradox Interactive have just announced that they've acquired Prison Architect from Introversion Software.
This isn't the usual thing here that we've seen before as Paradox aren't taking over Introversion Software, it's very specific to the Prison Architect game. As they said in their press release:
Paradox will take ownership of Prison Architect on all current and any future platforms, including Windows, MacOS, and Linux PCs, and Switch, Xbox and PlayStation consoles, in addition to their ongoing publishing of Prison Architect: Mobile on iOS and Android tablets. This acquisition also allows Paradox to continue development of Prison Architect going forward, and to explore opportunities with the wider “Architect” IP in the future.
From that same release, Introversion's co-founder Mark Morris said he felt they had taken it as far as they could and that they're "eager to see where a team like Paradox can take it next". This also gives Introversion room to breathe life into their next project (and no doubt plenty of money to help too…).
I'm a big fan of the game myself, I've sunk many great hours into it and having it in the hands of Paradox who've supported Linux very well over the years is a good fit I think. Paradox support their titles for many years after release, far longer than a lot of others do and that makes me happy about the future of Prison Architect.
You can find Prison Architect on Humble Store, GOG and Steam.
It will likely show up on Paradox's own store sometime soon, perhaps this is another step towards a larger push for their own store? They do already have their own launcher, which supports Linux. It wouldn't surprise me if we saw them acquire more across this year.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
stretch611 Jan 8, 2019
I am thankful for the post-1.0 updates and I think that introversion had a great team working on PA. Now that it is changing hands I pray for no more updates, but I doubt Paradox would buy the rights and not add DLC. Hopefully, they will make it easy for existing players and toss a "beta branch" on steam so we can play it as is forever.
If it isn't obvious by now, I fully agree with @pb's sentiment towards Paradox and DLC.
One good thing for me is that I bought it originally through a Humble Bundle. I was able to go there download the file for the game directly so that now I have a good copy. Also, I remember that Prison Architect was offered through GOG Connect as well... Sure enough, I have it on that site as well and available for download.
Hope most of you used GOG connect while you had the chance... now is the time to save a copy of the game while you can.
EDIT: I am not worried about Paradox Updates per se, I am worried about Paradox updating with new content as a DLC that I am not interested in (or not interested in at their prices.) Then they change the balancing of the game based on the new content and that "balancing" affects the base game in an adverse way.
Last edited by stretch611 on 9 January 2019 at 5:29 am UTC
stretch611 Jan 8, 2019
I guess I will miss those cheesy update videos that came out with every beta and post 1.0 game update.
Quoting: scaineQuoting: pbSo much for free updates, welcome a swarm of dlc.
That wouldn't be a bad thing. If you're happy with the value you got from the game's purchase, fine, just ignore the DLC. If you loved the game and would welcome more features and expansion, this is great news.
Unless you wanted all those extras for free...? In which case, I have no words! :)
Up to now, all updates to the PC version of PA have had those extras for free. Introversion's way of supporting games after release is fundamentally different from that of paradox. Crudely stated: Introversion has provided extra value for money, whilst paradox is always trying to sell you more stuff.
Last edited by emphy on 9 January 2019 at 4:28 am UTC
Quoting: emphyQuoting: scaineQuoting: pbSo much for free updates, welcome a swarm of dlc.
That wouldn't be a bad thing. If you're happy with the value you got from the game's purchase, fine, just ignore the DLC. If you loved the game and would welcome more features and expansion, this is great news.
Unless you wanted all those extras for free...? In which case, I have no words! :)
Up to now, all updates to the PC version of PA have had those extras for free. Introversion's way of supporting games after release is fundamentally different from that of paradox. Crudely stated: Introversion has provided extra value for money, whilst paradox is always trying to sell you more stuff.
And to be clear, Introversion's way of supporting their title after release is completely unsustainable. People have to eat and pay rent/mortgage and giving away free content updates for years after release doesn't bring in any new money, beyond perhaps a trickle of sales.
I'm not defending Paradox's aggressive DLC model, but to expect extra content for nothing is just in my opinion a bit naive or, worse, entitled.
I think we can agree that Introversion are awesome people though. They went above and beyond, particularly on this title.
Kimyrielle Jan 9, 2019
Personally I think Paradox has occasionally went over the top with releasing super tiny packs in fast cadences for waaay too much money (remember when CK2 DLCs consisted of the actual DLC, PLUS a music pack PLUS a fashion pack?), but they seemed to have learned that lesson now.
The bottom line is that Paradox's model means that games will be supported, enhanced and improved MANY years after release, leaving us with an ever larger and ever better game. Compare that to, say, EA's model, which is releasing the SAME game every year with updates to graphics and other minor things. What's really better? CK2 which was released in 2012 (IIRC) and is STILL growing? Or FIFA? FIFA is still largely the same game it was in 2012, it just looks better. I know what I prefer, but maybe it's just me.
*shrug*
psycho_driver Jan 9, 2019
Quoting: pbSo much for free updates, welcome a swarm of dlc.
Well, if they were looking to sell the IP, they were probably about done with free updates anyway. I really dislike DLC as a whole, but Paradox and their games are one company from whom I don't mind them. Buy them if you want to keep seeing a game developed, don't buy them if you don't want to or already like the game as it is. The type of games they typically release can potentially provide thousands of hours of gameplay and I'd rather keep a title alive through occassional optional DLCs than what EA does with their sports franchises.
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