Over the weekend publisher and developer Paradox Interactive hosted their annual PDXCON event in Stockholm, Sweden. Like Blizzard’s BlizzCon, PDXCON celebrates everything about the prolific publisher, including panels, discussions, tournaments, parties, and new game announcements.
Paradox have successfully carved out a niche with their massive grand strategy PC games, such as Crusader Kings and Europa Universalis.
We’ve compiled the biggest headlines from PDXCON 2018 below.
Imperator: Rome
Release: 2019
The biggest announcement was an all-new game, Imperator: Rome. Like many of their titles, Imperator: Rome is a Grand Strategy game, meaning its meant to emulate history through real-time strategy. With Rome it focuses on the rich history of the Roman Empire. Though you’re free to rule it however you see fit, creating an entirely different era for Rome. It promises the most detailed Paradox map ever.
Age of Wonders: Planetfall
Release: 2019
Last year Paradox acquired Age of Wonders developer Triumph Studios. Now we see what Triumph has been working on since the 2014 release of Age of Wonders III – Age of Wonders: Planetfall. It will feature a single-player campaign and multiplayer, as well as a random map generator. It’s also coming to consoles, though without any officially confirmed consoles yet.
“We’re thrilled to finally announce our latest endeavor alongside Paradox,” said Lennart Sas, Triumph Studios CEO. “Age of Wonders: Planetfall is roughly three years into development, running on a new generation of our multi-platform Creator Engine. While the setting is new, we’re confident that Age of Wonders fans will feel right at home exploring the remnants of the Star Union. Our aim is to make a game that greatly expands upon its predecessors, and still employs the core principles that made Age of Wonders such a success.”
Stellaris: Distant Stars
Release: May 22, 2018
The latest Story Pack for sci-fi grand strategy game Stellaris will be launching tomorrow. It’s called Distant Stars, and adds a mysterious new constellation outside of the existing galaxy. It also adds new anomalies, solar systems, and gargantuan space creatures.
Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns
Release: TBA
Man the Guns is a new naval-themed expansion to World War II strategy game Hearts of Iron IV. It adds the ability to design your own warships with a modular design. Details are sparse and no release date has been given, but a large free update to Hearts of Iron IV will release at the same time.
Crusader Kings II: Holy Fury
Release: 2018
Crusader Kings II is six years old and still going strong, thanks in large part to Paradox’s dedication to post-launch updates and DLC. Holy Fury is the newest expansion to the medieval grand strategy game. It focuses on the holy wars and crusades between Catholics and Pagans. Canonize the faithful, engage in religious wars, join a warrior lodge, and pass on the legendary bloodlines of infamous conquerors and warlords.
Holy Fury is coming later this year. Like Hearts of Iron IV: Man the Guns, it will be accompanied by a major free update for Crusader Kings II.
Europa Universalis IV: Dharma
Release: TBA
Yet another new expansion from the expansion-loving company, Dharma adds a lot of new content and features to India in Europa Universalis IV. A free update will include a reworked policy system. But Dharma will add even more bonuses, as well as new Indian Missions and Estates.
Board Games
Release: 2018-2019
I saved the most exciting news for last. In a surprise announcement (and humorous video) Paradox Interactive announced a slew of licensed board games based on many of their beloved games, including Crusader Kings and Cities: Skylines.
The first board game, Crusader Kings, has already tripled its funding goal on Kickstarter in a single day. It has a tentative release date of November 2018.
