The strategy game publishers at Paradox Interactive hosted their annual convention online, PDXCON Remixed, where they announced a new game Victoria 3, as well as several expansions, including the first major expansion for Crusader Kings 3.
The streaming convention included developer interviews, streams, and panels, but let’s stick to the important news — game announcements!
Victoria 3
A decade after Victoria 2, Paradox announced a threequel to the grand strategy game set during the Victorian era of the 19th century. Paradox Development Studio is handling Victoria 3, which the publisher describes as a “society simulator.” Manage different political factions through the tumultuous era of technological upheaval.
Victoria 3 will feature over 100 nation-states to manage using the heavily expanded diplomacy system. Progress through the era, nurture your people’s growth, make deals with neighbors, and create a system of government that will hopefully curtail violent revolutionaries.
Victoria 3 is coming to PC (Steam, Microsoft Store, Paradox Store). A release date has not been announced.
Crusader Kings 3
The Crusader Kings series is Paradox’s bread and butter strategy franchise. During PDXCON, the first expansion to Crusader Kings 3 was announced. Royal Court focuses on the seat of your power, the throne room. You’ll be able to decorate and customize your throne room, and show it off in the new 3D design. Interact with courtiers as you hold court, and inspire craftspeople and artists to create better works and treasures. Royal Court also allows for cultural divergence from your traditional culture, as you evolve into a multicultural society.
Crusader Kings 3 is available on PC, and rated M for Mature. No release date has been announced for the Royal Court expansion.
Empire of Sin: Make It Count
A lot is riding on the first expansion to the disappointing prohibition era gangster strategy game by Romero Games, Empire of Sin. Make It Count will add a new boss, and new gangsters for hire. The new boss is Meyer Lansky, a mob accountant who specializes in economics and diplomacy. The five new gangsters are The Fixers, who feature loan sharking and blackmailing abilities. The DLC also features a set of story missions that tells the story of Lansky and the Fixers.
Make it Count is launching alongside the previously announced free content update, The Precinct, which adds a new management layer for neighborhoods, new win conditions with Chi-Town Mogul and The Buyout, and official mod support through Steam Workshop and the Paradox Launcher. The Precinct update follows the Gangster update, which released last week, adding “numerous quality of life improvements.”
Empire of Sin is available on PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox. Make It Count will launch later this year. It’s rated M for Mature.
Cities: Skylines Bridges & Piers, Train Stations Content Packs
Cities: Skylines has become the go-to for a traditional SimCity-like sim game. Paradox announced two new content creator packs, Bridges & Piers and Train Stations. Bridges & Piers features 22 bridges, quays, and piers to customize your ocean-side coastline. Train Stations includes 12 stations for train and metro themes, as well as 4 public transport hubs. Paradox also announced two new radio stations, Rail Hawk and Sunny Breze, each with 16 electronic and synth tracks.
The content packs are available on Steam now. Cities: Skylines is rated E for Everyone.
Prison Architect: Second Chances
It’s taken us five expansions to finally get some rehabilitation programs for Prison Architect, via the Second Chances DLC. Prisoners will have a chance to reduce their sentences and re-enter society by participating in conflict resolution classes, socializing with civilians, and working with animals. Inmates with work credentials can can work in the prison, including in the bakery, restaurant, the therapy room.
Second Chances is launching on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox on June 16, and later on Switch on June 29.
