Paradox Interactive
Encyclopedia
Paradox Interactive is a Swedish
video game developer
based in Stockholm
that is known for producing historical
strategy computer games
. It is also a video game publisher
, publishing its own games as well as others through traditional retail
channels as well as digital distribution
services, such as GamersGate. The lead game programmer
is Johan Andersson
.
Paradox Interactive was previously a division of Paradox Entertainment
, owners and developers of properties such as Conan the Barbarian
as created by pulp author Robert Ervin Howard
.
Each game also has a loosely based set of "Victory Conditions" which defines the game winner as accumulating the most "points" by the closing date of the game. Apart from world conquest the games are mostly based on an open game engine (sandbox-style game
) in which the player can define their own victory.
Their games are characteristically complex, with steep learning curves and highly detailed gameplay models. The focus of each game is different, but generally a player must manage the economy, commerce, internal politics, diplomacy, technological development, and military forces of a nation.
On the support side, Paradox regularly releases patches to their games long after a game's initial release. Some games have required patches shortly after release to make them playable. Later patches may contain large changes to the game and the way the game is played, in response to the demands and requests of fans.
Paradox tries to make games that are open and easy to edit (moddable), from tweaking a saved game to creating an entirely new scenario. Modding can be accomplished with simple tools and basic knowledge of scripting. To assist modders to figure out how to edit the game on their own, the Paradox forums provide a library of "how to" advice.
and writing after action report
s on games.
Much of the gameplay information used by the engine is contained in uncompressed text and bitmap graphic files. The ability to freely edit these files has allowed an active modding community to develop. The Paradox forum is highly active and provides a way for players and modders alike to collaborate and improve gameplay and develop complex new scenarios for each title. Svea Rike III included two user created scenarios (the unhistorical "Independent Europe Scenario", and the expanded "Alternative Grand Campaign") that came directly from forum contributors, rather than by game developers. Also Europa Universalis III
was developed in close collaboration with experienced players of the earlier titles through discussions on the forum.
After action reports, usually abbreviated as AARs on the forums, provide a way for players to discuss their own gameplay in unique ways with other players. AARs are reports written by players about their experiences with a game, ranging in style from simple presentations of the development of the game with screenshots to highly embellished character-driven stories only loosely based on the events in the game. They are generally serialized in a forum topic, with every update post corresponding to a period of gameplay, and with comments and suggestions made by readers between updates.
AB
is a digital distribution
service formerly operated by Paradox Interactive. In addition to Paradox Interactive titles, GamersGate distributes games from third party publishers, including distribution partnerships with THQ
and Atari
. GamersGate commenced trial operations in April 2006 and officially launched (entitled "Gamer's Gate") on 20 November 2006.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
video game developer
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
based in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
that is known for producing historical
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
strategy computer games
Strategy video game
Strategy video games is a video game genre that emphasizes skillful thinking and planning to achieve victory. They emphasize strategic, tactical, and sometimes logistical challenges. Many games also offer economic challenges and exploration...
. It is also a video game publisher
Video game publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that they have either developed internally or have had developed by a video game developer....
, publishing its own games as well as others through traditional retail
Retailing
Retail consists of the sale of physical goods or merchandise from a fixed location, such as a department store, boutique or kiosk, or by mail, in small or individual lots for direct consumption by the purchaser. Retailing may include subordinated services, such as delivery. Purchasers may be...
channels as well as digital distribution
Digital distribution
Online distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
services, such as GamersGate. The lead game programmer
Game programmer
A game programmer is a software engineer, programmer, or computer scientist who primarily develops codebase for video games or related software, such as game development tools. Game programming has many specialized disciplines all of which fall under the umbrella term of "game programmer"...
is Johan Andersson
Johan Andersson (game programmer)
Johan Andersson is the lead game programmer for Paradox Interactive, the Swedish-based game company which created Europa Universalis series, Victoria series, Crusader Kings, and the Hearts of Iron series...
.
Paradox Interactive was previously a division of Paradox Entertainment
Paradox Entertainment
Paradox Entertainment owns rights to many intellectual properties, the most famous of which is Conan the Barbarian as created by pulp author Robert E. Howard and expanded upon by many other authors over the years. Other properties include Bran Mak Morn, Kull, Solomon Kane, Mutant, Mutant...
, owners and developers of properties such as Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Barbarian is a fictional sword and sorcery hero that originated in pulp fiction magazines and has since been adapted to books, comics, several films , television programs, video games, roleplaying games and other media...
as created by pulp author Robert Ervin Howard
Robert E. Howard
Robert Ervin Howard was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. Best known for his character Conan the Barbarian, he is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre....
.
Game characteristics
Each game is marked by the use of standard real-time elements but with an ability to make any and all changes while paused (and while unpaused). The games also demonstrate a commitment to historical accuracy.Each game also has a loosely based set of "Victory Conditions" which defines the game winner as accumulating the most "points" by the closing date of the game. Apart from world conquest the games are mostly based on an open game engine (sandbox-style game
Open world
An open world is a type of video game level design where a player can roam freely through a virtual world and is given considerable freedom in choosing how to approach objectives...
) in which the player can define their own victory.
Their games are characteristically complex, with steep learning curves and highly detailed gameplay models. The focus of each game is different, but generally a player must manage the economy, commerce, internal politics, diplomacy, technological development, and military forces of a nation.
On the support side, Paradox regularly releases patches to their games long after a game's initial release. Some games have required patches shortly after release to make them playable. Later patches may contain large changes to the game and the way the game is played, in response to the demands and requests of fans.
Paradox tries to make games that are open and easy to edit (moddable), from tweaking a saved game to creating an entirely new scenario. Modding can be accomplished with simple tools and basic knowledge of scripting. To assist modders to figure out how to edit the game on their own, the Paradox forums provide a library of "how to" advice.
Forums
One of the key features of the Paradox gaming experience is participation in the active Paradox forums. The complex nature of the games encourage players to collaborate to improve gameplay. The forums allow players to learn from the experiences of other players. Besides strategy discussions, the forums feature active communities involved in creating modsMod (computer gaming)
Mod or modification is a term generally applied to personal computer games , especially first-person shooters, role-playing games and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer, and can be entirely new games in themselves, but mods are not standalone software and...
and writing after action report
After Action Report
An after action report is any form of retrospective analysis on a given sequence of goal-oriented actions previously undertaken, generally by the author himself....
s on games.
Much of the gameplay information used by the engine is contained in uncompressed text and bitmap graphic files. The ability to freely edit these files has allowed an active modding community to develop. The Paradox forum is highly active and provides a way for players and modders alike to collaborate and improve gameplay and develop complex new scenarios for each title. Svea Rike III included two user created scenarios (the unhistorical "Independent Europe Scenario", and the expanded "Alternative Grand Campaign") that came directly from forum contributors, rather than by game developers. Also Europa Universalis III
Europa Universalis III
Europa Universalis III is a grand strategy computer game by Paradox Interactive. The main game was released for Windows on January 2007, and was later ported to Mac OS X by Virtual Programming on 2 November 2007....
was developed in close collaboration with experienced players of the earlier titles through discussions on the forum.
After action reports, usually abbreviated as AARs on the forums, provide a way for players to discuss their own gameplay in unique ways with other players. AARs are reports written by players about their experiences with a game, ranging in style from simple presentations of the development of the game with screenshots to highly embellished character-driven stories only loosely based on the events in the game. They are generally serialized in a forum topic, with every update post corresponding to a period of gameplay, and with comments and suggestions made by readers between updates.
GamersGate
GamersGateGamersGate
GamersGate AB is a Sweden-based online video game store offering PC games, Mac games and electronic guides via direct download. It is a competitor to online video game services such as Valve's Steam, Direct2Drive and Impulse....
AB
Aktiebolag
Aktiebolag is the Swedish term for "limited company" or "corporation". When used in company names, it is abbreviated "AB" or "Ab"...
is a digital distribution
Digital distribution
Online distribution, digital distribution, or electronic software distribution is the practice of delivering content without the use of physical media, typically by downloading via the internet directly to a consumer's device. Online distribution bypasses conventional physical distribution media,...
service formerly operated by Paradox Interactive. In addition to Paradox Interactive titles, GamersGate distributes games from third party publishers, including distribution partnerships with THQ
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
and Atari
Atari
Atari is a corporate and brand name owned by several entities since its inception in 1972. It is currently owned by Atari Interactive, a wholly owned subsidiary of the French publisher Atari, SA . The original Atari, Inc. was founded in 1972 by Nolan Bushnell and Ted Dabney. It was a pioneer in...
. GamersGate commenced trial operations in April 2006 and officially launched (entitled "Gamer's Gate") on 20 November 2006.
Upcoming titles
- Magna Mundi — PC (Q1 2012)
- Salem — PC (2012)
- Gettysburg: Armored Warfare — PC (TBA)
- Defenders of Ardania — PC (6 December 2011)
- King Arthur II — PC (10 January 2012)
- Crusader Kings IICrusader Kings IICrusader Kings II is an upcoming grand strategy game to be developed and published by Paradox Interactive. It is currently scheduled to be released for Microsoft Windows on 7 February 2012....
— PC (7 February 2012) - Naval War: Arctic CircleNaval War: Arctic CircleNaval War: Arctic Circle is an upcoming real time naval strategy game to be developed by Turbo Tape Games and published by Paradox Interactive. It is currently scheduled to be released in Q2 2012....
— PC (2012) - War of the RosesWar of the Roses (video game)War of the Roses is a Medieval themed action game set during the Wars of the Roses being developed by independent developer Fatshark for the PC.-Gameplay:...
— PC (2012) - Warlock: Master of the Arcane — PC (TBA)
- Paradox and Neocore announce King Arthur II
- Paradox confirms line-up for Paradox Interactive Convention 2011
- Paradox press conference: we’re covering it live