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

Paradox Interactive's cancelled life simulator, Life by You, continues to stir conversation, thanks to recently surfaced screenshots showcasing the game's development progress.

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

Impressive Visuals and Character Models Impress Fans Despite Cancellation

Following the game's cancellation, images from the portfolios of former Life by You developers – including Richard Kho, Eric Maki, and Chris Lewis – have surfaced online, curated on Twitter (X) by @SimMattically. Lewis's GitHub page offers further insight into animation, scripting, lighting, modding tools, shaders, and VFX development.

The released screenshots offer a detailed look at the game's potential. While not drastically different from the final gameplay trailer, fans have praised noticeable improvements. One fan expressed their disappointment, stating, "We were all so excited, and now we're incredibly let down. It could have been amazing!"

The images highlight impressive clothing options suitable for various weather conditions and seasons, extensive character customization with refined sliders and presets, and a richly detailed and atmospheric game world, surpassing what was shown in earlier trailers.

Paradox Interactive's Deputy CEO, Mattias Lilja, explained the cancellation, citing the game's shortcomings in "key areas" and the uncertainty of a timely, satisfactory release. CEO Fredrik Wester echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the team's hard work but acknowledging the insurmountable challenges in reaching a desired release standard within a reasonable timeframe.

The cancellation surprised many given the game's pre-release hype and its potential to rival EA's The Sims franchise. The abrupt closure of development and the subsequent shuttering of Paradox Tectonic, the game's studio, left fans feeling the sting of unrealized potential.