The developer of Prison Architect 2, Double Eleven, is parting ways with publisher Paradox Interactive after nine years after the two companies failed to secure a commercial agreement.
The announcement was made in a post on the Paradox forum just as the first numbered sequel of the highly popular prison management game is set to launch. Prison Architect 2 will be completed and released with the help of co-development studio Kokku.
Double Eleven Parts Ways With Paradox Interactive
(Photo : Paradox Interactive, Double Eleven / Screenshot taken from Steam)
Paradox Interactive noted that Kokku has been working on the sequel since last year and was able to "support" Double Eleven. The post also showed that Prison Architect 2 passed certification and the contract was fulfilled.
However, it noted that "We could not find a commercial agreement that worked for both parties moving forward and mutually agreed to part ways."
The situation comes as the sequel has been delayed quite a bit and there have been a number of technical issues that popped up in final testing, according to GameDeveloper.
The post also said that Paradox currently has builds certified on all platforms and is ready to be released. However, they are trying to mitigate some issues regarding memory usage and minimum specifications that have resulted in more failures coming to light.
The first time that Double Eleven became involved with Prison Architect was after it was taken onboard to port the game to consoles. The studio then took full control of the franchise when the original developer, Introversion Software, sold the rights to Paradox Interactive in 2019.
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Since then, the game has released ten expansions that culminated in last year's Jungle Pack and Paradox Interactive has led the development of the fully 3D sequel.
The sequel was first revealed in January 2024 and promised a "greater degree of player freedom, impactful choices, and inmate simulation."
Prison Architect 2 was originally planned to release in March this year but has since been delayed twice, the first into May, and the second into September. The most recent delay was in order for the company to address "unexpected issues occurring too often," said Eurogamer.
Prison Architect 2
Game director Gaz Wright said that Kokky fully took over the project in January earlier this year. This suggests that Paradox Interactive has been sitting on the news of parting ways with Double Eleven since the announcement of the sequel.
The upcoming game follows a series of high-profile misses for Paradox Interactive, including the troubled launch of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, The Lamplighters' League, and Cities: Skylines 2's disastrous run.
Prison Architect 2 features advanced simulation systems that allow players to construct intricate compounds with a high degree of creative freedom in a 3D environment. In the game, you will have to build elaborate structures in order to accommodate inmates' needs while also maintaining the facility's financial stability.
The sequel expands gameplay and creative tools across the boards compared to the original game for an expansive sandbox experience. It also introduces a connect system between the prisoners.
They will make friends or enemies with each other which will impact who they hang out with, partner with, or fight, according to WorthPlaying.
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