More game developers are out of a job as Paradox Interactive has now shut down its wholly owned studio, Paradox Tectonic, located in Berkeley, California. The news comes shortly after it was reported that Life by You has been canceled, which has been under development at Tectonic since 2019. According to a brief statement on Paradox Interactive’s website, the studio employed 24 people.
The news just adds more chaos to the already turbulent gaming industry of 2024. We’ve seen a record number of layoffs and multiple studio closures. Just yesterday, it was announced that the Embracer Group shut down Pieces Interactive following the release of Alone in the Dark. Earlier this year, Xbox closed four of the studios it acquired from Bethesda, including Tango Gameworks, the developers behind Hi-Fi Rush.
Paradox Interactive has decided to cease further operations in the wholly owned studio Paradox Tectonic (Tectonic) in Berkeley, California. The studio has since 2019 led the development of the game Life by You, whose release is canceled, and employs 24 people.
This is difficult and drastic news for our colleagues at Tectonic, who’ve worked hard on Life by You’s Early Access release. Sadly, with cancellation of their sole project we have to take the tough decision to close down the studio. We are deeply grateful for their hard work in trying to take Paradox into a new genre, says Fredrik Wester, CEO of Paradox Interactive.