Paradox Interactive has split with Colossal Order, the studio behind Cities: Skylines II, retaining the IP and moving all future development to its internal Finland-based team, Iceflake Studios, which will take over content updates and the long‑promised console version beginning in 2026; Colossal Order will complete a few final updates before departing. The decision follows a troubled PC‑only launch in October 2023 that exceeded advertised system requirements, shipped with numerous bugs, slowed new content cadence and strained relations with the player base, leaving the console release delayed and the franchise’s reputation damaged. Paradox’s internalization of development signals an attempt to stabilize the title’s roadmap and control quality and delivery going forward.
Paradox Interactive has formally split with Colossal Order while retaining the Cities: Skylines intellectual property, with Finland-based internal team Iceflake Studios slated to assume full development, content updates and the console port beginning in 2026; Colossal Order will complete a few final updates before exiting. The franchise’s sequel launched on PC in October 2023 with higher-than-advertised minimum specs and significant bugs, and Paradox and Colossal Order spent about two years attempting to salvage the title and reputations. Player relations deteriorated amid slow new-content cadence and ongoing technical issues, and the console release remains undisclosed as the original developer departs. Paradox’s internalization of development signals an intent to regain control of quality and the roadmap, but the delayed console timeline and prior reputational damage create execution risk and extend uncertainty around the franchise’s recovery and future content monetization.
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