Ask Paradox (almost) Anything Thread

[Wetew]

I tend to see Paradox games like a finely made car or motorcycle. Most of it is tested, but then the modders come in, take it apart to a lesser or greater degree, put it back together, each adjusting or entirely replacing components to fit them, a few only leaving the engine block intact. There's no accounting for how the end user will use or interpret your product, no matter what field of industry you are working in.

In fact, I am hesitant to talk about modding too much, because I don't know if the development team likes to hear that modders are anxious to tinker with their magnum opus. But I really like how in a way your games become a community product.

I would say that the dev team is in favour for modding, as so many have been recruited directly from the modding community. And there's no reason why one would make games that are so easily moddable unless they themselves feel that the player should be able to moddify a game to whatever extent they want to.

[artfox]

In fact, I am hesitant to talk about modding too much, because I don't know if the development team likes to hear that modders are anxious to tinker with their magnum opus. But I really like how in a way your games become a community product.

I really like modders. I really like the idea although I am not a modder myself. I would also like to play many more mods, but unfortunately I do not have time for it (right now). The whole idea of users creating free content for other users is GREAT! It also prolongs the life of the game.

[gigau]

I really like modders. I really like the idea although I am not a modder myself. I would also like to play many more mods, but unfortunately I do not have time for it (right now). The whole idea of users creating free content for other users is GREAT! It also prolongs the life of the game.

That's nice to hear, thanks a lot

Question : we still have a few days before knowing what Project Postman is about... when can we expect to have informations on Project Untouchables ?

[MrBlueskyy]

While my singular accolade counts for very little, I would like to preface this question by saying I think that the games Paradox makes are a cut above your general strategy game, and that the depth that these games reach is unparalleled. Sengoku and CKII are my two most anticipated games in the near future. Thanks PI! I attempted to read through the thread to ensure my question had not been asked, but I quickly abandoned that, so I apologize if my questions are repeats. I am interested in learning more about the people who make these games. I saw that questions regarding music and education have already been asked, so I will skip those. What are your favorite movies? Television programmes? Do you travel in your spare time, and if so, what is your favorite place that to which you have traveled ?

[Velko]

Do you travel in your spare time, and if so, what is your favorite place that to which you have traveled ?

I'd like to elaborate on this question:

Do you travel in time, and if so, what is your favorite era to which you have traveled?

[Susana]

While my singular accolade counts for very little, I would like to preface this question by saying I think that the games Paradox makes are a cut above your general strategy game, and that the depth that these games reach is unparalleled. Sengoku and CKII are my two most anticipated games in the near future. Thanks PI! I attempted to read through the thread to ensure my question had not been asked, but I quickly abandoned that, so I apologize if my questions are repeats. I am interested in learning more about the people who make these games. I saw that questions regarding music and education have already been asked, so I will skip those. What are your favorite movies? Television programmes? Do you travel in your spare time, and if so, what is your favorite place that to which you have traveled ?

Have you seen the Paradox Advent Calendar we made before Christmas? It gives a small snapshot of everyone working here http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/...lendar-archive

[Darkrenown]

I'd like to elaborate on this question:

Do you travel in time, and if so, what is your favorite era to which you have traveled?

I often travel to the late 70s and 80s, where I oust known Soviet spies, plant misinformation, or just outright sabotage the Russian economy. A few more trips and I should have sabotaged them sufficiently that the USA will win the cold war and we won't be invaded by dinosaurs.

[SolSara]

While my singular accolade counts for very little, I would like to preface this question by saying I think that the games Paradox makes are a cut above your general strategy game, and that the depth that these games reach is unparalleled. Sengoku and CKII are my two most anticipated games in the near future. Thanks PI! I attempted to read through the thread to ensure my question had not been asked, but I quickly abandoned that, so I apologize if my questions are repeats. I am interested in learning more about the people who make these games. I saw that questions regarding music and education have already been asked, so I will skip those. What are your favorite movies? Television programmes? Do you travel in your spare time, and if so, what is your favorite place that to which you have traveled ?

I always find it hard to answer "What are your favorite movies?" 'cause there so many! Wall-e, every Ghibli movie, Léon, Ratatouille... The movies I have seen the most times, though, is Wall-e and the Ghibli movies. I never tire of those.

Favorite television programmes: The Wire, Dexter, The Big Bang Theory and Ugly Betty.

I'd like to travel more than I do, my best travel memory was when the whole of Paradox went to New York together. Other than that I usually enjoyed the road trips my family and I went on when I was younger to and through Italy, France, Croatia, Switzerland and Germany.

[ForzaA]

I have ForzaA's phone number. Any takers for $1 a digit...?

Now, you selling my phone number is one thing.


Only asking $1 a digit is.... insulting

[Affenklaus]

A few more trips and I should have sabotaged them sufficiently that the USA will win the cold war and we won't be invaded by dinosaurs.

So you're the one responsible for me not having a dinosaur pet? You monster!

[Svip]

Now, you selling my phone number is one thing.


Only asking $1 a digit is.... insulting

I will sell it for even less!

[Darkrenown]

So you're the one responsible for me not being a dinosaur's pet? You hero!

The timeline has changed, and with it your post!

[Svip]

The timeline has changed, and with it your post!

Is your first cat alive again? Except now it is Bambi?

[Schro]

Are you working on a new engine? Because I really think it is time for Paradox to upgrade a little bit =)
If so, I hope you choose one in good combination with awesome phyics to make battles look more alive!

Also, way more importantly, are you working on Mount&Blade 2? And will it have multiplayer campaign mode?

[Klausewitz]

Why is PI continuing to turn out products that are 2-3 patches and one ulcer (for me) away from basic playability?
I do not mean this as a 'you suck' thing, i do not even need this answered here but i do not understand why i am used as an unpaid betatester while still paying full price.
Is it the recession?
General trend of the gaming industry that Paradox must follow or drown (PI is hardly the only company pulling this)?

[Barkhauer]

Why is PI continuing to turn out products that are 2-3 patches and one ulcer (for me) away from basic playability?
I do not mean this as a 'you suck' thing, i do not even need this answered here but i do not understand why i am used as an unpaid betatester while still paying full price.
Is it the recession?
General trend of the gaming industry that Paradox must follow or drown (PI is hardly the only company pulling this)?

I have been a Paradox beta tester (not to be confused with employee, so I don't speak for the company) since late 2003/early 2004. The cycle each and every time works like this:

100-150 beta testers are chosen. 30-40 bother to post in the first week, download the prototype/late-alpha build and fire it up. Crashes are found, people post general impressions. Then 2/3rds of THOSE people are never heard from again. Some of them (usually the more experienced betas) have legitimate reasons for being scarce: new jobs are obtained, illnesses happen, twin babies are born, all of which cut into beta time. These testers will show up a few times a week. Then there's a remaining 10 or so testers who HAMMER brutally on the game and the dev team. Features are revised, sometimes cut when it becomes clear that the design isn't as fun as actual gameplay, bugs get fixed.

There's right, there's wrong, and there's simple math. Devs who are busy coding and researching can't test everything. 10 full time beta testers and 15-20 casual beta testers can't test everything. Some bugs simply don't show up until 100,000 players hammer at the game and one of them finally presses just the right sequence of keys in the ledger screen. Sometimes something worked all through beta right up until the gold master build, and nobody knew to test it again because it had never been a problem before. It's easy to rip on Paradox and the betas, but you really should think about being one first so you at least know what is a fair comment to make.

[Klausewitz]

I understand that nothing will ever be bug-free.
But basic features?
Like a succession of decision necessary for the game or basic game mechanics ( iam looking at you HOI2-3 u-boats)?

[Steven Hawkings]

Will you expand the EU III timeline to 1836 as the stooping date instead of 1821?

[Ordo Impavidus]

I have been a Paradox beta tester (not to be confused with employee, so I don't speak for the company) since late 2003/early 2004. The cycle each and every time works like this:

100-150 beta testers are chosen. 30-40 bother to post in the first week, download the prototype/late-alpha build and fire it up. Crashes are found, people post general impressions. Then 2/3rds of THOSE people are never heard from again. Some of them (usually the more experienced betas) have legitimate reasons for being scarce: new jobs are obtained, illnesses happen, twin babies are born, all of which cut into beta time. These testers will show up a few times a week. Then there's a remaining 10 or so testers who HAMMER brutally on the game and the dev team. Features are revised, sometimes cut when it becomes clear that the design isn't as fun as actual gameplay, bugs get fixed.

There's right, there's wrong, and there's simple math. Devs who are busy coding and researching can't test everything. 10 full time beta testers and 15-20 casual beta testers can't test everything. Some bugs simply don't show up until 100,000 players hammer at the game and one of them finally presses just the right sequence of keys in the ledger screen. Sometimes something worked all through beta right up until the gold master build, and nobody knew to test it again because it had never been a problem before. It's easy to rip on Paradox and the betas, but you really should think about being one first so you at least know what is a fair comment to make.

+1

[Sid Meier]

I already shop between both brick and mortar stores, steam, gamersgate, impulse, and direct2drive as needed/cheaper prices. One more store won't hurt but for the love of good be like steam with neat sales and stuff every so often and alternate reality games like "We'll release a patch X% faster if you buy Y$ worth of games as a community." DO EEET.