The recent cancellation of Paradox Interactive's life simulator, Life by You, continues to resonate with fans. Newly surfaced screenshots, sourced from the online portfolios of former developers, offer a poignant reminder of the game's unrealized potential.
Life by You's Cancellation: A Fresh Wave of Disappointment
Fans Praise Visual and Character Model Enhancements
Following the game's cancellation, a Twitter (X) thread curated by @SimMattically showcases previously unseen screenshots from the project. Contributions from former artists Richard Kho, Eric Maki, and Chris Lewis – who also shared their work on personal websites and platforms like GitHub – provide a detailed look at the game's development. Lewis's GitHub page, for example, details animation progress, scripting, and work on lighting, modding tools, shaders, and VFX.
The images reveal a refined visual style. While not drastically different from the final gameplay trailer, fans have highlighted noticeable improvements. One fan commented, expressing widespread sentiment: "We were all so excited, then so incredibly disappointed… :( It could have been amazing!"
The screenshots showcase detailed clothing options suitable for various weather conditions and seasons, suggesting a robust wardrobe system. Character customization appears extensive, with improved sliders and presets. The overall game world seems richer and more atmospheric than previously shown.
Paradox Interactive's Deputy CEO, Mattias Lilja, explained the cancellation, citing delays stemming from "key areas" requiring further development. Lilja stated that the path to a satisfactory release was deemed "far too long and uncertain." CEO Fredrik Wester echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the team's hard work but concluding that continued development wouldn't yield a sufficiently polished product.
The cancellation surprised many, given the anticipation surrounding Life by You, a PC title intended to compete with EA's Sims franchise. The abrupt halt in development resulted in the closure of Paradox Tectonic, the studio behind the project.
