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, sourced from the online portfolios of former developers, offer a poignant reminder of the game's unrealized potential.

Life by You's Cancellation: A Fresh Wave of Disappointment

Fans Praise Visual and Character Model Enhancements

A Twitter (X) thread curated by @SimMattically showcases images from the portfolios of former Life by You artists and developers, including Richard Kho, Eric Maki, and Chris Lewis. Lewis's GitHub page provides further insight into the game's animation, scripting, lighting, modding tools, shaders, and VFX development.

The released images provide a detailed look at Life by You's advanced features. While not drastically different from the final gameplay trailer, fans have highlighted noticeable improvements. One fan commented on the disappointment of the cancellation, highlighting the game's unrealized potential.

The screenshots reveal sophisticated outfit designs suitable for diverse weather conditions and seasons. Character customization appears extensive, boasting enhanced sliders and presets. The overall in-game world exhibits a richer level of detail and atmosphere than previously showcased.

Paradox Interactive's Deputy CEO, Mattias Lilja, explained the cancellation, citing shortcomings in key areas and an uncertain path to a satisfactory release. CEO Fredrik Wester echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's dedication but acknowledging the infeasibility of reaching a desired standard within a reasonable timeframe.

The cancellation shocked many, particularly given the considerable anticipation surrounding Life by You, which was poised to compete with EA's Sims franchise. The abrupt halt in development resulted in the closure of Paradox Tectonic, the studio behind the project.