In response to overwhelming backlash from players, the developer of Cities Skylines 2, Colossal Order, has announced that they will be offering refunds for the game's latest DLC, Beach Properties. The joint statement from Mariina Hallikainen, CEO of Colossal Order, and Mattias Lilja, deputy CEO of publisher Paradox, acknowledges the community's disappointment and the rush to release the DLC in an attempt to improve the game's reception.

Cities Skylines 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the popular city-building game, launched on PC in October 2023, but encountered numerous issues right from the start. The game's Steam user review rating quickly changed from 'mixed' to 'mostly negative' for recent reviews, and the original Cities Skylines game currently boasts more players than its sequel.

One of the major criticisms from players was the lack of modding support, which Colossal Order's CEO, Mariina Hallikainen, admitted to being their "biggest regret." However, the release of the Beach Properties DLC, priced at $9.99 or available as part of the Cities: Skylines 2 Waterfronts Expansion Pass or Ultimate Edition, sparked an even greater backlash. Players were disappointed to find that the asset pack did not include actual beaches, resulting in an overwhelmingly negative user review rating on Steam.

In an effort to address the concerns and regain the trust of the community, Hallikainen and Lilja issued a statement accepting the developer's failings. They expressed their sorrow for not living up to expectations and admitted that the promised improvements did not happen as quickly or significantly as they had hoped. The developer's main objective now is to make amends and do better.

As a first step, Colossal Order will compensate those who purchased the Beach Properties DLC by making it a free addition to the game and offering refunds where possible. However, due to the complexities involved in executing partial refunds for the Ultimate Edition, refunds will not be available for those buyers. To make up for this, Ultimate Edition holders will receive 3 Creator Packs and 3 Radio Stations, totaling a value of $39.99.

Looking ahead, the developer acknowledges the need for immediate changes in their approach to game development and communication with the community. Their focus will now be on improving the base game and modding tools. They also plan to involve the community more in deciding priorities for future updates. As a result of this shift in focus, the release of the Bridges and Ports Expansion will be postponed to 2025.

To ensure that they are on the right track, an advisory meeting will be held with a group of player representatives, Colossal Order, and Paradox Interactive. This group, chosen based on their influence within the community, will have full transparency in the development plan and the opportunity to voice their questions and critiques.

The developer also addressed the pending console release, stating that while initially planned for spring, delays have occurred due to optimization challenges. However, an upcoming build delivery in April is expected to show sufficient progress, with a targeted release build scheduled for October. The console release is being handled separately from the PC development team to ensure focused progress.

In conclusion, Colossal Order has expressed their dedication to making Cities Skylines 2 the best city builder it can be. They are grateful for the community's support and feedback, and are committed to regaining their trust. The offered refunds and compensation, along with the shift in development priorities, are seen as the first steps in the right direction. Players are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates on the game and the refund process, and to continue being an active part of the community.