Paradox Games

OJsDad · October 18, 2016, 07:58:23 PM

Paradox has been on a roll this year. Tyranny is coming out 10 Nov. Earlier this year they released Stellaris and HOI4 about a month apart. On top of that, they've either released or are about to release updates/DLC for EUIV, CKII, and even a patch for VickyII in the last year. Have they ever had a 12 month period that they've released so much?

I've purchased Stellaris when it released, and just purchased CKII this year. I know many of us have put Stellaris to the side until further updates/DLC come out, and many that have purchased HOI4 have done the same. Not everyone is happy with changes the updates/DLC for the older titles introduce. But, as a whole, I, as a grog, am very happy with knowing that they are not only supporting existing titles, but are reaching outside their traditional games to try new things.

So, three cheers for the Paradox team and hoping for many more years of great gaming entertainment!!

rss334 · October 18, 2016, 08:30:23 PM

They went public with part of their stock, they now answer to their stockholders. The last two releases have been evident to me the company is toast, dumb'ed down gaming. Just my opinion, I'm not supporting them anymore. Paradox the new mediocre strategy gaming company, it's a shame. Of course this is only my opinion.

MetalDog · October 18, 2016, 08:35:52 PM

What were the last two releases? Stellaris and HOI4?

rss334 · October 18, 2016, 08:38:58 PM

yes those were the last two

rss334 · October 18, 2016, 08:41:22 PM

Quote from: rss334 on October 18, 2016, 08:38:58 PM
yes those were the last two, I say dumb'ed down and partially also mean "accessible". Everyone knows what happens when you take grand strategy and make it accessible.

jamus34 · October 18, 2016, 08:43:36 PM

Quote from: rss334 on October 18, 2016, 08:30:23 PM
They went public with part of their stock, they now answer to their stockholders. The last two releases have been evident to me the company is toast, dumb'ed down gaming. Just my opinion, I'm not supporting them anymore. Paradox the new mediocre strategy gaming company, it's a shame. Of course this is only my opinion.

Gotta disagree here.

Stellaris might be considered dumbed down at launch however look at it - they have never made a true 4X (that I know of). I imagine they released the game and waited to hear what the fan base wants. I don't think any of Pdox's 1st attempts at games were anything to write home about.

If you think HOI4 is dumbed down then I don't want to know what you consider "complex". HOI4 has so many layers I know I haven't peeled more than maybe half of them back. The only place I agree they may have dumbed it down was intrigue / diplomacy and I think they will fix / DLC it.

rss334 · October 18, 2016, 08:47:51 PM

again just my opinion, I know some agree and some don't. I still play hearts of iron 3 and find it much better game. Stellaris makes me sick when compared to distant worlds, but again to each their own.

Rayfer · October 18, 2016, 08:59:14 PM

rss334, I respect your opinion and can only say to each his own. For me, HoI4 and Stellaris are well done games that have potential to get better with DLC releases. I'm still playing both and have many hours of enjoyment from each. But that's just me. Others don't feel the same.

OJsDad · October 18, 2016, 09:01:47 PM

Stellaris still has a lot of growing to do, but it also had a few nice features that I wish DW had. I'll be real interested to see how DW2 evolves. Also, DW has had several years and number of DLC to mature. Based on the DLC/patch that coming soon, Stellaris will take a step in the right direction to that maturity.

I haven't purchased HOI4 yet, but one thing I won't miss when I get it, is the Chain of Command. I always felt like I was in micromanagement hell. When I play HOI, I want to be the supreme overload of my country, not the head of personnel.

jamus34 · October 18, 2016, 09:03:15 PM

Quote from: rss334 on October 18, 2016, 08:47:51 PM
again just my opinion, I know some agree and some don't. I still play hearts of iron 3 and find it much better game. Stellaris makes me sick when compared to distant worlds, but again to each their own.

IIRC it took DW a few (not inexpensive) expansions to "get it right".

And HOI3 was a disaster when it was first released.

But at least Pdox tries to improve (whether you agree with the improvements or not)

How many AAA dev's release crappy or completely broken ports of console games and the shrug and basically state "we'll we got your pre-order money so F you"

I agree that them going public is a cause for concern...but I won't get real worried until you start seeing staff changes at t he design and executive levels. That IMO will imply corporate changes are incoming and probably to the detriment to the gamer.

Moreb · October 18, 2016, 09:05:57 PM

Don't have Stellaris but didn't it just get a massive patch today?

As far as DW. I really got into it originally and the second release was a bit better. IMO the last release was more of a cash grab and iirc, not much changed. Seemed like too small of steps.

I hope DW2 can be as groundbreaking as the original but feel it will be just an upgrade. I hope im wrong.

jamus34 · October 18, 2016, 09:07:55 PM

Quote from: OJsDad on October 18, 2016, 09:01:47 PM

I haven't purchased HOI4 yet, but one thing I won't miss when I get it, is the Chain of Command. I always felt like I was in micromanagement hell. When I play HOI, I want to be the supreme overload of my country, not the head of personnel.

This is why I love Pirates (the original) and Red Storm Rising. You are the Captain of a ship / boat...you should not be spending time looking at a waterfall display or taking a sun sighting...you should have capable subordinates that can do this.

As supreme ruler games you should tell your army where to go and then based on your general's competency they get there.

mikeck · October 18, 2016, 10:22:34 PM

Just because a game isn't as good as another game doesn't mean it's bad. DW is a high bar but as others have eluded to, not without teething issues. The original game was god but very lacking. It was only after a few expansions that Distant Worlds became that great game. So I just think it's unfair to compare a brand new game with one that has received 3-4 DLC's

I like Stellaris and think it's a very well done game. Is not dumbed down. All these 4xs have things they do that others don't..things they make complex that others simplify. Hell, Polaris Sector is better than all of them.

I agree with OJ...Paradox is doing a great job. Oh how we look at the past through rose colored glasses. I remember 4-6 years ago when people were complaining that paradox games were crap at release and aren't good until 3-4 DLCs. Then they released CK2 and EU4. People complained they were to "simple" and not enough to do. Now they are both great games. Paradox does a great job

MetalDog · October 18, 2016, 11:13:43 PM

It's great when a game company continues supporting games and making them better. And that's even more reason to note the public offering. If that causes change in the wrong departments, quality and commitment to quality, may go by the wayside. And that would be sad.

JudgeDredd · October 19, 2016, 12:59:35 AM

I totally agree with OJsDad

I enjoyed playing Stellaris far more than I did Distant Worlds and if that was there first outing into 4x games, then kudos. Also, there's a HUGE patch just been released.

Distant Worlds wasn't a bad game at all - I just got lost in it. Even it's automation confused the hell out of me and that was put in to make the game accessible. Sometimes, removing things from the player is not the best way to make a game more accessible...giving them a better, easier, more streamlined way to do something can be better than automation - which effectively just hides some aspects of the game that you will either miss forever or forget or just plain not discover because you're happy where the game sits with you.

As for HoI4, I see a lot of the "dumbed down" criticisim - however I also see a lot of statements saying it's just had improvements to the user interface to make it easier for the user to get a handle on the game. I haven't played it enough (at all?) to justify either way....point is what's another man's wine is...

I think Paradox is far from dead.