Life By You Screenshots Shared by Former Devs Provide Glimpse of What Could've Been

The cancellation of Paradox Interactive's life simulator, Life by You, continues to resonate with fans. Recently surfaced screenshots, shared by former developers on their personal portfolios and compiled on X (formerly Twitter) by @SimMattically, offer a poignant reminder of what might have been.

Life by You's Cancellation: A Look at Lost Potential

Fan Appreciation for Visual and Character Model Enhancements

The images, attributed to artists and developers including Richard Kho, Eric Maki, and Chris Lewis, provide a more detailed look at the game's progress. Lewis's GitHub page even details animation processes, scripting, and work on lighting, modding tools, shaders, and VFX.

While the visuals don't drastically deviate from the final gameplay trailer, fans have highlighted notable improvements. Comments on social media express both excitement over the potential and disappointment at the game's cancellation. One user noted the game's potential for greatness, highlighting the collective letdown felt by the community.

The screenshots showcase detailed outfits suitable for various seasons and weather conditions, suggesting a robust weather system. Character customization appears extensive, boasting improved sliders and presets. The overall game world also presents a more refined and atmospheric feel compared to earlier previews.

Paradox Interactive's explanation for the cancellation cited shortcomings in key areas and an uncertain path to a satisfactory release. Deputy CEO Mattias Lilja emphasized the significant time investment required to reach a desired standard, deeming it ultimately unsustainable. CEO Fredrik Wester echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the team's hard work but prioritizing the decision to halt development when a satisfactory outcome seemed unattainable.

The abrupt cancellation surprised many, given the anticipation surrounding Life by You and its potential to compete with EA's The Sims franchise. The closure of Paradox Tectonic, the studio behind the game, further underscored the severity of the decision.