Colossal Order Addresses Cities: Skylines 2 DLC Concerns with Refunds

Key Highlights:

• Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order offer refunds for Cities: Skylines 2 DLC “Beach Properties” due to negative reception.
• Refunds automatically issued for purchases on platforms like Steam, Microsoft Store, and Paradox Store.
• DLC to be made free in upcoming patch.
• Bridges and Ports Expansion delayed to Q1 2025 to focus on base game and modding tools.
• Console release tentatively pushed back to October 2024 due to optimisation challenges.

In a move that highlights their commitment to listening to and addressing the concerns of their dedicated player base, Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order have taken decisive action in response to the overwhelmingly negative reception towards the recently released “Beach Properties” DLC for Cities: Skylines 2.

Fans of the critically acclaimed city-building simulation title had eagerly anticipated the launch of the DLC asset pack, which promised to enhance the game’s replayability and depth with new content and features.

However, upon its release, many players voiced their disappointment, feeling that the DLC failed to deliver value commensurate with its pricing.

Recognising the validity of these concerns, Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order have announced that they will be issuing refunds for the “Beach Properties” DLC to those who purchased it across various platforms, including Steam, Microsoft Store, and the Paradox Store.

Dear Cities fans. We see and hear you, and we owe you an apology.

Full statement: https://t.co/RN6wTrS9Jd pic.twitter.com/3BAJ4cdMv5

— Colossal Order (@ColossalOrder) April 18, 2024

The announcement was made on social site X/Twitter and also in the Paradox forums where an official statement was made.

Furthermore, in a bold move, the developers have decided to make the Downloadable Content a free addition to the game in an upcoming patch, ensuring that all players have access to the content.

Refund and Compensation Details

The refund process for “Beach Properties” will be handled automatically on platforms such as Steam and the Paradox Store, with players receiving their refunds directly to their respective wallets or accounts.

For those who purchased the DLC through other approved third-party key resellers, Paradox Interactive has advised contacting the respective retailers for information on the refund process.

In addition to the refunds, Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order have announced a compensation plan for those who purchased the Ultimate Edition of Cities: Skylines 2.

While refunds for the Ultimate Edition will not be possible due to complexities surrounding its distribution across various digital and physical storefronts, Ultimate Edition owners will receive additional content valued at $39.99, including 3 Creator Packs and 3 Radio Stations.

Prioritising Improvements and Community Involvement

The decision to issue refunds and provide compensation is accompanied by a larger shift in the development approach for Cities: Skylines 2 aiming to address Community Tension and foster a closer relationship with the player base.

The developers and publishers have stated that their primary focus will now be on improving the base game and modding tools, ensuring that the core experience meets the high standards set by both the developers and the community.

In line with this renewed focus, the release of the highly anticipated Bridges and Ports Expansion has been pushed back to Q1 2025, allowing the development team ample time to address the game’s existing issues and polish the overall experience.

Furthermore, the developers have announced plans to establish an advisory meeting, where a select group of community representatives will have the opportunity to discuss the development plan and provide feedback directly to the teams at Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive.

This initiative aims to foster greater transparency and ensure that the community’s voice is heard as the developers chart the strategy title’s future course.

Console Release Challenges and Tentative Timeline

While the focus remains on improving the PC version of Cities: Skylines 2, the developers have also acknowledged the challenges they have faced in optimising the game for a console release.

Initially slated for a Spring 2024 launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, the console release has now been tentatively pushed back to October 2024, pending the evaluation of an upcoming build delivery in April.

It’s important to note that the team working on the console version operates separately from the PC development team, ensuring that the console optimisation efforts do not divert resources or split the focus from the ongoing improvements to the PC version.

With this comprehensive response, Paradox Interactive and Colossal Order have demonstrated their commitment to addressing player feedback, prioritising the game’s overall quality, and fostering a closer relationship with the Cities: Skylines 2 community.

As the developers navigate this new path, fans can look forward to a more polished and engaging city-building experience, shaped by the valuable input of the dedicated player base.