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

Recently surfaced screenshots offer a poignant reminder of Paradox Interactive's cancelled life simulator, Life by You. These images, circulating online, showcase the considerable progress made by the development team before the project's abrupt termination.

Life by You's Cancellation: A Second Look

Fans Praise Visual and Character Model Refinements

Following Paradox Interactive's announcement cancelling the highly anticipated Life by You, new screenshots have emerged, compiled on Twitter (X) by @SimMattically. These images, sourced from the portfolios of former developers including Richard Kho, Eric Maki, and Chris Lewis (whose detailed GitHub contributions further illuminate the project's scope), provide a closer look at the game's potential.

While the visuals aren't drastically different from the final gameplay trailer, fans have highlighted noticeable improvements. Comments express both excitement over the progress and disappointment at the game's cancellation. One fan stated, "We were all incredibly excited, then incredibly disappointed… :( It could have been amazing!"

The screenshots reveal detailed clothing options suitable for various seasons and weather conditions, suggesting a robust wardrobe system. Character customization appears extensive, boasting refined sliders and presets. Furthermore, the in-game environments display a level of detail and atmospheric richness surpassing earlier trailers.

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 hard work but acknowledging the insurmountable challenges in reaching a desired standard within a reasonable timeframe.

The cancellation surprised many, given the anticipation surrounding Life by You, a PC title poised to compete with EA's Sims franchise. The abrupt halt to development led to the closure of Paradox Tectonic, the studio responsible for the game.