Ask Paradox (almost) Anything Thread (no support/tech or code questions)

  • We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
Showing developer posts only. Show all posts in this thread.

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
We are like hand guns, we have a waiting period.
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
I have registered to the forum, and registered the game EU3 Complete, and still I cannot post in the EU3 section. What gives?
I have fixed you up, you should be good to go now. Any further problems just PM me.
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
Castellon, you are an admin, so you are close enough to Paradox to answer a question. :p

Why don't you have any games registered? IIRC, BiB doesn't have any (or many) games registered either. Do they disappear because you are an admin, or are they not there for other reasons? A wish to stand out? The same reason you have the giant "admin" tag under your name? :p
Well the Admin tag is there to make sure you know to pay attention ;)
The lack of game icons is because I don't want to show favoritism to any particular game or group of games. (Admin should be impartial in every way)
So the only option is to have them all or to have none, and when you can have every single one, I think it is more of a statement to have none.
or in this case just the Pdox logo, by flying that flag so to speak I am showing my support for all the games.
Not to mention is saves on server resources and bandwidth. :)
Maybe I will start and switch icons depending on which game I am playing at the moment?

--> This insight into the mind of Castellon is brought to you by Paradox Interactive.
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
But they are not asked to be the final arbiter of rules and discipline.
It is the same reason you will not see me participate much in OT Forum.

If you want a real world analogy
Paradox is the Government
Admins are the Supreme Court
Mods are the Lawyers representing the state
and Demi-Mods are like local beat cops
 

Johan

Studio Manager Paradox Tinto
Administrator
Paradox Staff
Moderator
15 Badges
Dec 14, 1999
18.402
38.945
  • Diplomacy
  • Teleglitch: Die More Edition
  • War of the Roses
  • 500k Club
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis III: Collection
  • Magicka: Wizard Wars Founder Wizard
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Stellaris Sign-up
  • Imperator: Rome Sign Up
  • A Game of Dwarves
  • Magicka
  • Starvoid
So.... Anyone from Paradox can be found guilty and punished? Or corruption is widespread? ;)

No.

We're more like gods.
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
So.... Anyone from Paradox can be found guilty and punished? Or corruption is widespread? ;)
When was the last time you saw anyone in Government get punished for thier crimes. ;)

No.

We're more like gods.

Being the Government is better than being God, you have all the power but if anything goes wrong you blame God(s) :)
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
Guys lets keep this to non tech support questions, I know it can be frustrating when you encounter a problem but we already have ways to contact us about tech issues, and of course you are encouraged to start a thread in the support forum for the specific game.
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
Well that would be a request for a story, not a request for tech support. ;)

and I think Kallocain already shared some. :)
 

Shams

Corporate Paladin
70 Badges
Nov 9, 2009
1.509
113
  • 500k Club
  • Magicka
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Majesty 2 Collection
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • The Kings Crusade
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Majesty 2
  • March of the Eagles
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Naval War: Arctic Circle
  • Prison Architect
  • Rome Gold
  • The Showdown Effect
  • Teleglitch: Die More Edition
  • Semper Fi
  • Sengoku
  • Ship Simulator Extremes
  • Sword of the Stars
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Supreme Ruler 2020
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Cities in Motion
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dungeonland
  • Lead and Gold
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • For The Glory
  • For the Motherland
  • Gettysburg
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Impire
  • A Game of Dwarves
  • King Arthur II
I've urged her repeatedly to post the best support case every week. She's has a lot of integrity and has therefor refrained from doing so.


My all time favorite is still the email that read.

Subject: Help!

"I'm Japanese!"

Great stuff.

/s
 

unmerged(165900)

<font color="white"><font size="3"><b>Paradox Publ
3 Badges
Sep 14, 2009
201
1
www.paradoxplaza.com
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Majesty 2
  • Pirates of Black Cove
Trivia: I also think Paradox/GamersGate staff like Theodore and Mattias Lilja are still involved in publishing new versions of Target Games' old RPGs. These ventures are called "Järnringen" and "Riotminds".

@Pandemonium: the trivia part at least is very true, both me and Theo (that's Gamersgate CEO Theodore Bergqvist) have various pet projects like old school rpgs (the pen & paper kind).

/Mattias
 

Susana

COO Paradox Interactive
43 Badges
Aug 18, 2004
1.636
32
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis III: Collection
  • Hearts of Iron: The Card Game
  • Rise of Prussia
  • Paradox Order
  • Cities: Skylines - Snowfall
  • Achtung Panzer
  • Victoria 2
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Field Marshal
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Tyranny: Gold Edition
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Commander: Conquest of the Americas
  • Deus Vult
  • Diplomacy
  • East India Company
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Galactic Assault
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron Anthology
  • The Kings Crusade
  • Magicka
  • Majesty 2
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis: Rome
  • Rome Gold
  • Sengoku
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Supreme Ruler 2020
Why are you frequently displaying steampowered links to buy your newly released games?Would it not be normal for you to encourage people to go to Gamersgate, which is as good as Steam is?

Actually, we try to display purchase links to all places that carry every game to make it as easy as possible for everyone. Some people buy all their games on Steam, some people all their games on GamersGate, this way we get a much bigger part of the market share than just using one outlet. Our titles do better = we do better = we can continue developing more internal games and produce external games etc :cool:
 

Susana

COO Paradox Interactive
43 Badges
Aug 18, 2004
1.636
32
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Cities: Skylines Deluxe Edition
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Europa Universalis III: Collection
  • Hearts of Iron: The Card Game
  • Rise of Prussia
  • Paradox Order
  • Cities: Skylines - Snowfall
  • Achtung Panzer
  • Victoria 2
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Stellaris: Galaxy Edition
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Cadet
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Colonel
  • Hearts of Iron IV: Field Marshal
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Tyranny: Archon Edition
  • Tyranny: Gold Edition
  • Stellaris: Digital Anniversary Edition
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Commander: Conquest of the Americas
  • Deus Vult
  • Diplomacy
  • East India Company
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Europa Universalis IV: Wealth of Nations
  • Galactic Assault
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Hearts of Iron Anthology
  • The Kings Crusade
  • Magicka
  • Majesty 2
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis: Rome
  • Rome Gold
  • Sengoku
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Supreme Ruler 2020
Actually, that reminds me:

Is there a reason that the boxed copy of Mount&Blade Warband uses Steam?

The Steam retail version opens quite a few possibilities for the developer, auto-updates, reduces print lead times (currently as long as 6 weeks) and more. The reason the boxed copy of Mount & Blade: Warband uses Steam is because the developer wanted to use it.

Kind regards
Susana Meza
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
This is prob for Kallocain, who is the oldest forum member?
We have lots of members over 100 years old.
by that logic I deduce that playing paradox games is proven to increase your longevity.

Maybe we need to charge more and market that aspect.
 

Shams

Corporate Paladin
70 Badges
Nov 9, 2009
1.509
113
  • 500k Club
  • Magicka
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Majesty 2 Collection
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Divine Wind
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Victoria 2: A House Divided
  • Victoria 2
  • Crusader Kings II
  • Victoria: Revolutions
  • Leviathan: Warships
  • The Kings Crusade
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Majesty 2
  • March of the Eagles
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Naval War: Arctic Circle
  • Prison Architect
  • Rome Gold
  • The Showdown Effect
  • Teleglitch: Die More Edition
  • Semper Fi
  • Sengoku
  • Ship Simulator Extremes
  • Sword of the Stars
  • Sword of the Stars II
  • Supreme Ruler 2020
  • Europa Universalis III
  • Arsenal of Democracy
  • Cities in Motion
  • Cities in Motion 2
  • Crusader Kings II: Legacy of Rome
  • Crusader Kings II: The Old Gods
  • Crusader Kings II: The Republic
  • Crusader Kings II: Sons of Abraham
  • Crusader Kings II: Sunset Invasion
  • Crusader Kings II: Sword of Islam
  • Darkest Hour
  • Dungeonland
  • Lead and Gold
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
  • For The Glory
  • For the Motherland
  • Gettysburg
  • Hearts of Iron III: Their Finest Hour
  • Impire
  • A Game of Dwarves
  • King Arthur II
With my 46-page thread marathon done, I can finally ask my questions :D

What processes do you go through in order to produce a new title? Is everyone involved in brainstorming ideas, or is it more focused on a few members of the team? Are certain ideas rejected outright because of coding complications, or do you consider anything to be possible?

Similarly, regarding patches and expansions?

Lastly, do you tend to focus on one title/expansion to the exclusion of others? Or do you have one title as a primary focus and work on others in your spare working time and/or when inspiration hits?

I love this thread, it's providing excellent insight to the company :) It's great to see a company with this level of communication with its fanbase.

You're just wondering about the internal titles? I'll let the developers answer themselves.

/s
 

Kallocain

Executive Producer
22 Badges
Aug 3, 2009
3.688
454
  • Divine Wind
  • Mount & Blade: Warband
  • Supreme Ruler 2020
  • Sword of the Stars
  • Sengoku
  • Rome Gold
  • Majesty 2 Collection
  • Magicka
  • The Kings Crusade
  • Legio
  • Lead and Gold
  • Heir to the Throne
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Europa Universalis III Complete
  • Victoria 2
  • 500k Club
  • Crusader Kings II: Holy Knight (pre-order)
  • Hearts of Iron: The Card Game
  • Rise of Prussia
  • Hearts of Iron IV Sign-up
200K Icons no longer give access to all avatars. I thought they were like a magic key with an interesting use. Now it's gone. :( Can you bring it back?

It was a bug... So no.

What processes do you go through in order to produce a new title? Is everyone involved in brainstorming ideas, or is it more focused on a few members of the team? Are certain ideas rejected outright because of coding complications, or do you consider anything to be possible?

All that feel inclined can take part, so it varies. A lot of the discussion takes place in pubs and such. :D

Similarly, regarding patches and expansions?
Similar, but with focus on the team currently developing the patch or expansion.
Lastly, do you tend to focus on one title/expansion to the exclusion of others? Or do you have one title as a primary focus and work on others in your spare working time and/or when inspiration hits?
Well, we have two teams. One for the current game we make, one for the current patch/expansion. To work on another game at the side is not the standard, but it happens sometimes. I guess the answer is A.
 

unmerged(165900)

<font color="white"><font size="3"><b>Paradox Publ
3 Badges
Sep 14, 2009
201
1
www.paradoxplaza.com
  • Hearts of Iron III
  • Majesty 2
  • Pirates of Black Cove
I'd like to hear about the cooperation between Paradox and developers whose titles you are publishing, and how involved does Paradox get in the development process?

Well, it really depends on when we get onboard. Sometimes devs come to us with close to a finished product and we publish the game as is, other times we are in it from the start (or even contract studios to develop a concept).

In the earlier case we can suggest changes and additions, and then roll with what we get.

In the later case we work more involved with the devs; they often present ways to go forward and discuss it with us. What we most often add is a sales/marketing expertise - if we see a change that might mean a broader appeal then we go for it (increased sales is the main reason devs want a publisher after all, the other reason being funding).

Cheers,
Mattias
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
Imperialism already had a sequel. Imperialism 2 ;)
I have to say I liked a lot of what the game had to offer.
It was a welcome relief to Civ end game where you had so many cities that late game management took hours a turn.
 

Castellon

★Paradox Forum Manager★
Administrator
Paradox Staff
110 Badges
Mar 12, 2002
43.217
1.812
  • Europa Universalis IV
  • 200k Club
  • 500k Club
  • Hearts of Iron II: Beta
  • Victoria 2 Beta
  • Humble Paradox Bundle
  • Paradox Order
Think of that as a random temporary bonus for registering a newer game.