"Life By You: Ex-Devs Share Cancelled Game Screenshots"

Following the cancellation of Paradox Interactive's life sim game, Life by You, screenshots of the axed project have recently surfaced online, offering a glimpse into the developers' progress.

Life by You Fans Get Reminded of Its Cancellation Once Again

Improvements Done on Visuals and Character Models Commended by Fans

Following the recent cancellation of Paradox Interactive's highly anticipated life simulation game, Life by You, new screenshots of the scrapped project have emerged on the internet. These game screencaps were shared by former artists and developers who worked on the project, compiled on X (formerly Twitter) by user @SimMattically.

The artists and developers mentioned in the tweet thread include Richard Kho, Eric Maki, and Chris Lewis, who also showcased their work on their personal websites. Lewis, on his GitHub page, detailed the progress on animation, scripting, lighting, modder tools, shaders, and VFX for Life by You.

The images shared on social media provided a closer look at what Life by You could have offered. Fans noted that the game visuals did not look drastically different from the most recent gameplay trailer, but they appreciated several improvements. One fan remarked, "We were all super excited and impatient; and then we all ended up extremely disappointed… :( Could have been a great game!"

The screenshots revealed outfits that appeared to be part of the base game, featuring interesting piece coordinations suited to various weather cycles and seasons that could have been part of the game. The game's character customization seemed extensive, with improved sliders and presets. Additionally, the in-game world looked even more detailed and atmospheric than in earlier trailers.

In a statement following the game's cancellation, Paradox Interactive's Deputy CEO Mattias Lilja explained that the early access release was initially delayed because the game was "lacking in some key areas." "It became clear to us that the road leading to a release that we felt confident about was far too long and uncertain," Lilja said.

Paradox Interactive CEO Fredrik Wester added at the time, "Life by You had a number of strengths and the hard work of a dedicated team that went into realizing them. However, when we come to a point where we believe that more time will not get us close enough to a version we would be satisfied with, then we believe it is better to stop."

The cancellation of Life by You came as a surprise to many, especially given the buzz surrounding its potential. Life by You was planned for release on PC and was said to rival EA's iconic "The Sims" series. However, development was abruptly halted, and the game was canceled. Subsequently, Paradox Tectonic, the studio working on the game, was also shuttered.