In an unexpected move, Paradox, the publisher of Cities: Skylines 2, has chosen to break away from the norm and create a proprietary modding platform for the game, citing “inclusivity” as the primary driving force behind this decision. This marks a departure from established solutions like the Steam Workshop and Nexus Mods.
Embracing Inclusivity
The decision to create a proprietary modding platform is rooted in the desire to make modding more accessible to a wider audience. With Paradox Mods, the plan is to make modifications available not just on the PC platform but also on consoles. It’s a significant shift from the original game, which only allowed modding on PC.
Paradox seems committed to ensuring that the adoption rate of Paradox Mods remains high, as there are currently no plans to support alternative mod platforms. This strategic move aims to unify the modding experience across different gaming platforms.
Closed Beta and Fresh Content Creators
The modding support for Cities: Skylines 2 is currently in a closed beta stage. To strengthen the game’s library of modifications, Paradox has enlisted the help of established third-party content creators. This move emphasizes the publisher’s dedication to delivering a robust modding experience from the game’s launch.
It’s important to note that Cities: Skylines 2 employs an “entirely new codebase,” which means that mods created for the original game won’t be directly compatible with the sequel. This decision may pose challenges for modders, but it also opens up opportunities for innovative and fresh content.
Performance Challenges and Delayed Release
Paradox acknowledges that the development team at Colossal faced difficulties in meeting their initial performance targets. As a result, there was a recent adjustment to the game’s system requirements. While this might raise concerns about the game’s performance at launch, Paradox firmly believes that proceeding with the planned 2023 release is “the best way forward.”
Originally, Cities: Skylines 2 was slated for a multi-platform launch on October 24. However, in September, Colossal and Paradox made the decision to delay the console versions of the game, leaving the PC version as the only one to launch on the originally scheduled date.
