Paradox Interactive is shifting development of Cities: Skylines 2 to Iceflake Studios, marking the end of a decade-long partnership with original developer Colossal Order as the franchise seeks a fresh start following a turbulent launch.
A Strategic Shift for the Franchise
The transition was confirmed via a post on the Paradox Forum, where the official Cities: Skylines account stated that Paradox and Colossal Order have mutually decided to pursue independent paths. This decision aims to secure the long-term future of the city-building franchise after more than ten years of collaboration on various titles.
Starting in early 2026, Iceflake Studios will assume responsibility for all existing and future development. This includes free updates, ongoing maintenance of the game’s Editor, the much-anticipated console editions, and future expansion packs. Colossal Order will finalize a few remaining updates before the handoff, including the imminent “Bike Patch.”
Leadership Perspectives on the Transition
Colossal Order CEO Mariina Hallikainen expressed confidence in the franchise’s trajectory under Paradox’s continued leadership, noting that her team is eager to shift their focus toward new projects that align with their long-term creative vision.
Lasse Liljedahl, studio manager at Iceflake Studios, emphasized the team’s readiness to take the reins. “We have a decade worth of experience from making city building and management games. We see a strong foundation and so much potential waiting to be unleashed, and I can’t wait to show you what we have planned for the next chapter of this incredible game.”
The Console Status Remains Uncertain
Since its 2023 release, Cities: Skylines 2 has faced significant hurdles, most notably persistent technical performance issues and the indefinite delay of its console version. Despite the shift in development teams, the roadmap for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S remains murky.
Addressing the console situation in a new FAQ, the team provided little clarity, stating only that they are “continuing to work on the console version and look forward to sharing updates with the community as soon as we are ready.”
This management change follows previous acknowledgments from the publisher that modern players have higher expectations and are increasingly less tolerant of games that require long-term post-launch fixes to reach their potential.
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