In the wake of the recent closure of Paradox Interactive's Berkeley-based studio, Tectonic, the team behind the canceled game Life by You has spoken out about their tumultuous journey leading to the shut down. Game designer Willem Delventhal took to LinkedIn to express his devastation and referred to the past events as "a real s**t show."

Life by You, a Sims competitor, had been in development by Tectonic since 2019. The game, which aimed to offer a highly customizable life simulation experience, had faced several delays. Initially scheduled for an early access release in September 2023, the launch was pushed back multiple times, first to May 2024 and then to June 4. However, just two weeks before the anticipated release date, Paradox abruptly informed Tectonic that the game would not be launched.

Delventhal revealed that the studio had gone through a month of uncertainty, desperately trying to prove to Paradox that Life by You was worth releasing. The team explored options such as finding potential buyers or even going independent, but their efforts ultimately proved futile. The devastating news of the studio closure and job losses was only confirmed when it was publicly announced.

Paradox declined to comment on the allegations made by Delventhal when contacted by IGN. Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive, expressed gratitude for Tectonic's hard work on Life by You but cited the cancellation of their sole project as the reason behind the studio closure. Wester acknowledged that the decision was difficult but necessary, as it marked an end to Paradox's venture into a new genre.

The closure of Tectonic is another blow for Paradox Interactive, which has faced a series of high-profile failures in recent times. Wester admitted that they had performed poorly in recent releases. In October 2023, the company reported a $22 million write-down due to the disappointing performance of The Lamplighters League. Other titles, such as Cities Skylines 2 and Prison Architect 2, have also faced delays and encountered unexpected issues, impacting both Paradox's financial position and its reputation.

The shutting down of Tectonic adds to the growing list of studio closures and layoffs that have plagued the video game industry in recent years. As the industry grapples with financial challenges and market demands, thousands of employees have been affected by cuts at prominent companies such as Microsoft, Sony, and Embracer.

Paradox Interactive, despite the setbacks, maintains confidence in its future. The company emphasizes its solid financial position and a strong core game portfolio. As the search for stability continues, the closure of Tectonic serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by game developers in an increasingly competitive market.

It remains to be seen what lies ahead for the Life by You team and whether they will find new opportunities within the industry.