Recently surfaced screenshots offer a poignant glimpse into the potential of Paradox Interactive's cancelled life simulator, Life by You. These images, shared online by former developers, reveal the considerable progress made before the project's abrupt termination.

Life by You's Cancellation: A Second Look

Fans Praise Visual and Character Model Enhancements

The recent cancellation of Life by You has reignited fan disappointment, but newly released screenshots, compiled on Twitter (X) by @SimMattically, offer a closer look at the game's development. Images from former artists Richard Kho, Eric Maki, and Chris Lewis (who also showcased their work on personal websites and portfolios) paint a picture of impressive detail. Chris Lewis's GitHub page even details animation progress, scripting, and advancements in lighting, modder tools, shaders, and VFX.

The visuals, while not drastically different from the final gameplay trailer, showcase significant improvements. Fans have expressed their appreciation for these enhancements. One fan commented, expressing the widespread sentiment of disappointment and the game's unrealized potential.

The screenshots highlight refined character customization with improved sliders and presets, along with detailed outfits designed for various weather conditions and seasons. The overall game world appears more immersive and atmospheric than previously shown.

Paradox Interactive's Deputy CEO, Mattias Lilja, explained the cancellation, stating that the game lacked key elements and that the path to a satisfactory release was deemed too uncertain and lengthy. CEO Fredrik Wester echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's dedication but acknowledging the decision to halt development when a satisfactory release seemed unattainable.

The cancellation surprised many, given the anticipation surrounding Life by You, a PC title intended to compete with EA's Sims franchise. The abrupt closure of Paradox Tectonic, the studio behind the game, further underscores the finality of the decision.