14 DAY TRIAL // Paradox Interactive has started out as a niche developer and publisher linked mainly to the strategy genre. But as the company has grown, its ambitions have too and now it is thinking about moving into next-gen console development.
Fredrick Wester, the chief executive officer of Paradox Interactive, tells Gamasutra that, “If I had a wish list, I’d wish for Microsoft and Sony to be more open, too, to make it easier for all types of companies to publish all types of material online. I want to make games for upcoming consoles; I am stretching out my hand saying I want to do this, and if they have a platform that suits us, it’ll be fantastic.”
Wester is not only criticizing the current approach taken by Sony and Microsoft for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox 360, which will presumably be extended to their upcoming projects.
The CEO is also criticizing the App Store from Apple and the Steam PC-based service from Valve, which he believes have lost much of their open nature in the last few years.
He adds, “Previously, iOS was pretty open, there wasn’t that much competition and anyone would publish for that platform. Same with Windows, because Steam was really open.”
Steam is cited as one of the main reasons for the revival of the PC-based gaming that took place during 2011 and 2012 and many believe that Sony and Microsoft can increase the sales of their coming consoles by introducing digital distribution services.
Paradox Interactive is still focused on PC development and plans to launch the fourth edition of Europa Universalis during the fall of this year, complete with new mechanics and a better graphics engine.
But the company is also experimenting with a number of console-based titles and wants to collaborate with small studios that have innovative projects.