14 DAY TRIAL // For a few years now, the development team at Paradox Interactive, now known as Paradox Development Studio, has managed to find a solid long-term model for the development of its grand strategy titles, which has made Crusader Kings II and Europa Universalis IV both a success.
The team first launches an entirely new installment for the series, with some series changes in terms of looks and gameplay over the previous titles, and delivers patches in order to make the core of the entire experience work well.
In about six months, a first installment is delivered, which enhances one aspect of the title and comes with a free major patch that also expands the options and the usability of the main features, as smaller tweaks are delivered and as bugs are also fixed.
The process is then repeated for as long as the development team has new ideas to explore and the fan community asks for new content and continues to pay for the base game and the expansions.
Sure, there are sometimes glitches like big launch bugs or new ideas that do not work exactly as advertised, but mostly, the system works, producing value for Paradox and an addictive game experience for players.
Europa Universalis IV is the perfect example, a title that continues to sell well even as a significant portion of the player base has also bought both Conquest of Paradise and the recently delivered Wealth of Nations.
The only problem with this approach, which I would like to see adopted by other companies, is that there’s a constant learning process that gamers must go through, which might consume a little too much of their time and energy.
All grand strategy experiences are rather complex when it comes to gameplay, although it has been easier than ever to do that with EU IV and with CK II thanks to streamlined user interface and data delivery.
The launch of expansions means that just as many players are getting accustomed to the core features and the nations they choose to play, the rules change and they need to once again spend time and energy to learn rather than to enjoy the title.
I love the long-term support that Paradox is offering and the new content that it delivers, but I would like to see a few more months between releases in order to have more time to play the title as I understand it.