Based on this, I guess the main takeaway of "the leak" is that there is no main takeaway...
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Based on this, I guess the main takeaway of "the leak" is that there is no main takeaway...
The good argument should rather be one indicating they are doing it, since proving a negative isn't really feasible here.
I get what you're saying, but in this case it's more speculating whether CK3 being in early development right now would be feasible or not feasible based on how Paradox does their business. So arguments can be made on both sides, I am not trying to prove the existence of angels here or anything (or even the existence of CK3 being in development).
I get that people are saying it's unlikely CK3 is one of the secret projects (at a very early stage but still) because CK2 is still getting new content (although the CK2 team is pretty tiny at this point from I've gathered). And the other argument for it being unlikely is that in the past PDS had at least five years in between the release of games in their main franchises. I have a couple of points regarding these.
First, I'm not sure CK2 getting new content prevents early game design for CK3 since I would assume CK3 would have at least a few completely new core gameplay mechanics that would not integrate well with CK2. So just because CK2 isn't officially "wrapped up" doesn't necessarily mean the Devs are unable or unwilling to start the early development of CK3.
Second, Paradox's business model has changed fairly dramatically with the current generation of games (starting from CK2). It's much more of "semi-subscription" based model where new content is constantly getting developed and then sold through DLCs. Instead of relying on a few large releases for their revenue, now they are much more interested in keeping the player-base engaged and constantly providing revenue for the company. So from that point of view I would say it would be fairly surprising if Paradox was happy having a 5-year break between CK titles and losing that steady revenue stream in the meantime. If CK3 was in early development right now, that would probably still mean the game wouldn't be out until 2021 most likely. So if the last DLCs for CK2 are this year, that would still mean roughly a 3-year gap between CK2's official "end" and CK3.
And yeah, this is all speculation of course but it's fun
My point is that if a person's view is that there is no way CK3 is in development right now, they would need to address the above points at least in some way and make the counterargument why it's much more likely CK3 is not currently in early stages of development.Ps. This all obviously hinges on someone at PDS having great ideas for CK3 and willing to take the lead on the project. I think many of us agree it's not terribly difficult to think of ways how to reform some of the core mechanics of CK2 and update them in an interesting way, so you wouldn't think a lack of interesting and feasible ideas would be an obstacle, but you never know - maybe all of the Devs are currently burnt out on CK and want to work on something else for a while.
So...with the PDXCON 2019 trailer released, is this the time to find out King's Secret Project?
also known as Vicky 3?
I'm guessing these 2
A thing that has bothered me for nearly a year now:
So obviously this was before I:R was announced. So was it just misdirection or did Johan have a change of heart?
And how would this post look if it was made now? Daniel would replace Wiz on Stellaris, obviously. Does this mean that PDS now have 3 unannounced projects? (King, Henrik, Wiz) or was one of the unannounced projects I:R? Did Wiz move to a totally new project or take over an existing one?
So obviously this was before I:R was announced. So was it just misdirection or did Johan have a change of heart?
And how would this post look if it was made now? Daniel would replace Wiz on Stellaris, obviously. Does this mean that PDS now have 3 unannounced projects? (King, Henrik, Wiz) or was one of the unannounced projects I:R? Did Wiz move to a totally new project or take over an existing one?
Pretty sure Wiz is on a new project. I'm guessing Vic/CK 3 since he's worked on the current version for both of those games.
I figured the Chris King game would be Vic 3. I personally doubt that CK3 is in development at all given that CK2 is still going strong. Unless maybe Wiz had some kind of big idea for CK that requires a whole new game - that would be really cool.
My guess is King is the game designer for Vicky3 and Wiz might be the director.
And it'd be silly for Paradox to not be thinking about CK3 now that CK2 is more or less 'complete' and in a pretty good state.
In the OP, Johan lists King as a Game Director (of an unannounced game). Shouldn't he then still be game director, unless he quit or was reassigned?
I'd love a Victoria 3, but I'd also love to see some new IPs. There's plenty of history still not covered. I'd love a bronze age game for instance with the collapse as a sort of end game crisis. Since we don't really know who or what the sea people were, it could be implemented a little like Stellaris where there a few different possible crises for variety in the end game. As well, doing a period where we have quite limited knowledge of the details would allow them more leeway to setup the starting situation with gameplay in mind. Plus this is a time where no single geographical area has access to all the key goods you need which forces trade and provides an interesting basis for diplomacy and war.
I would love to see what Wiz (or Chris King, or any number of other PDS devs) could do with that type of setting.
I would love to see what Wiz (or Chris King, or any number of other PDS devs) could do with that type of setting.
From what I understand, as of PDXCon2018, Henrik and Chris were leading two separate unannounced projects. Neither of these could have been I:R as they said these projects were unannounced after the I:R announcement. Later Wiz also said he would be moving on from Stellaris to lead an unannounced project, so he either took over Chris or Henrik's project, or started on a third unannounced PDS project. My math indicates there are either 2 or 3 unannounced big PDS projects in varying stages of development right now.
uhhhh guys?... i think you may be getting way, way, WAAAAY ahead of yourselves.
with how long Vicky has been dormant since its maturing, and considering CK2 is still in this nebulous "beginning to ramp down" phase as a massively successful game with a ton of DLCs, a CK3 game would just serve to compete with CK2 and its vibrant modding scene. it needs some time to fester and start aging poorly- which ain't going to happen for a while.
That's a really good point. I think we are much more likely to see a CK-type game like Sengoku 2 or a new IP (Romance of the Three Kingdoms?) before we even get close to CK3.
It sold extremely well and is winding down as you say. It would be stupid not to think on the successor or being pre production. Doesn't mean we'll see the game for a long time still.
It could be entirly possible for CK3 to beginning to take form with a rather small team, trying different stuff out, but with an official announcment in like 3~4 years.
Yup, those were my thoughts. I'm sure Vicky 3 has been in development for a few years now, for example. It likely started with some whiteboarding and trying to figure out what worked and what didn't, what they'd like to see added, etc. with a small team working at a high level years before any code or content was made.