Cities Skylines 2 development will shift from Colossal Order to Iceflake Studios, following a strategic separation between Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive. Colossal Order, known for its 15-year partnership with Paradox beginning with 2011's Cities in Motion, will hand over development to Iceflake in 2026.
Change in Development Hands
Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive announced their split after challenging reviews for Paradox's other titles. The companies affirmed their mutual respect in a joint statement. Colossal Order CEO Mariina Hallikainen expressed enthusiasm for exploring new projects aligned with the studio’s long-term goals. Paradox deputy CEO Mattias Lilja praised the collaboration and pledged ongoing support for the Cities: Skylines community.
Iceflake Studios, a Paradox-owned studio, will lead future development efforts. Iceflake’s portfolio includes mobile games and PC titles like Surviving the Aftermath, which holds a recent 53% positive rating on Steam. Despite limited city-building background, Iceflake looks to maintain the core identity of Cities Skylines 2.
Transition and Future Tasks
Colossal Order will continue to progress the bike patch and Old Town buildings until the end of 2023. The transition to Iceflake will include managing patches, enhancing the Editor, and developing console versions. Planned expansions and content packages will also be part of Iceflake’s new responsibilities.
Paradox Interactive highlights a commitment to preserving the essence of Cities Skylines 2 during this transitional phase. While the upcoming shift marks a significant change in development stewardship, the franchise's legacy is expected to progress under the new studio's management.
