Paradox Interactive and Cities: Skylines developer Colossal Order have announced their decision to go their separate ways. This move sees ongoing development of Cities: Skylines II and the franchise as a whole transitioning to a new studio under the Paradox umbrella, Iceflake Studios.

While Colossal Order will be wrapping up a few final updates, including the Bike patch, Old Town buildings, bug fixes, and more, Iceflake Studios will take over development starting in 2026. Based in Tampere, Finland, Iceflake Studios, known for releasing Surviving The Aftermath in 2021, will be responsible for future expansions, free updates, and continuous work on the Editor and console editions.

Reflecting on the partnership, Mariina Hallikainen, CEO of Colossal Order, expressed gratitude towards Paradox and the player community, stating, “For over fifteen years, the Cities Series and our partnership with Paradox have been a defining part of our journey at Colossal Order. We want to thank everyone at Paradox for their trust and collaboration, and of course the community for the incredible support that has made Cities what it is today. We’re confident that the franchise will continue to thrive under Paradox’s leadership. As we move forward, we’re excited to channel our experience, creativity, and passion into new projects that align with our long-term vision.”

Adding to this sentiment, Mattias Lilja, Deputy CEO of Paradox Interactive, highlighted the long-standing relationship with Colossal Order and the achievements made together, expressing eagerness to continue providing content and new experiences for the Cities: Skylines community.

Lasse Liljedahl, Iceflake Studio Manager, acknowledged the honor and responsibility of taking on a genre-leading franchise like Cities, promising to carry on the legacy with respect for the loyal community. With a decade of experience in city-building games, Iceflake Studios is ready to unveil their plans for the future of the game.

Following the success of Cities: Skylines, Colossal Order faced challenges in developing Cities: Skylines II. Despite delays and issues with the initial release, the team worked diligently on the game. However, with ongoing difficulties, the decision was made for a fresh start under Iceflake Studios.

Looking ahead, the gaming community eagerly anticipates Iceflake’s approach to the game, while speculating on Colossal Order’s next project.

Source: Paradox