What's new

The Lamplighters League a 'Big Disappointment' for Paradox as It Confirms $22 Million Write-Down

Paradox Interactive has called The Lamplighters League a "big disappointment" as the company has been forced to record a $22 million write-down.


Revealed on the company's website, the write-down of 248 million Swedish Krona, or roughly $22.7 million, is essentially Paradox admitting it won't make its money back on The Lamplighters League.

"The Lamplighters League is a fun game with many strengths. Even though we see cautiously positive player numbers in subscription services, the commercial reception has been too weak, which is frankly a big disappointment," said Paradox CEO Fredrik Wester.

Game projects are by their nature always risky, but at the end of the day we haven’t performed at the level we should.

"Game projects are by their nature always risky, but at the end of the day we haven’t performed at the level we should. It is painful but makes us more eager to roll up our sleeves and do better."

The Lamplighters League launched October 3 as a mix of stealth gameplay and XCOM-style combat in a ritzy 1930's aesthetic. The "cautiously positive player numbers in subscription services" mentioned by Wester could be referring to the game's presence on Xbox Game Pass, where it arrived on its launch day.

In our 7/10 review, IGN said: "The Lamplighters League starts slow, but its mix of squad tactics, stealth, and pulp adventure soon builds momentum thanks to excellent design of both heroes and enemies."


Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.

Continue reading...
 
Top